From “Blood Diamonds” to Real Impact: What I Saw in Sierra Leone

With members of Empower Africa and colleagues on the Trade Mission, from all over the world!

When you work in the world of fine jewelry, one question surfaces time and time again: “Are diamonds still blood diamonds?”

It is a fair question – one rooted in a painful and highly publicized history. For many, perceptions of Sierra Leone’s diamonds remain shaped by narratives from decades past. Yet recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone as part of a trade mission, thoughtfully organized by the Empower Africa team, and witness firsthand what the diamond industry looks like today. What I experienced was far more nuanced, and far more hopeful, than the headlines many of us grew up with.

Into the Kono Region: Where Diamonds Begin

 My journey took me to the Kono region, the heart of Sierra Leone’s diamond country. Here, diamonds are not extracted through vast industrial operations, but through artisanal mining – human-scale, labor-intensive work that relies on experience, instinct, and patience.

We traveled for hours along uneven dirt roads to reach the alluvial mining sites. Standing alongside miners as they sifted through gravel, washing away layers of earth in search of something extraordinary, was humbling and eye-opening. There is no glamour here – only determination, resilience, and a deep sense of community. The heat is intense, the work physically demanding, and there is never any guarantee of success.

What struck me most was not the moment of discovery, but the absence of it.

Artisanal miners can spend days, even weeks, working tirelessly without finding a single diamond. Every bucket of gravel holds possibility, but never certainty. In that context, diamonds take on an entirely different meaning. They are no longer just symbols of luxury; they represent perseverance, hope, and the unpredictability of nature itself.

The warmth and joy expressed by the miners at our visit was deeply moving. Sierra Leone is a country still recovering from a brutal civil war, and its most valuable natural resource continues to carry the weight of a global stigma. The phrase “blood diamonds,” amplified by popular culture over two decades ago, still lingers – despite the significant progress made since. That stigma continues to hinder Sierra Leoneans from fully benefiting from a resource that is rightfully theirs, even as they work to reclaim ownership of their industry.

During the trip, we were joined by Mickey Brookshire, a highly respected diamond cutter with extensive experience working with Sierra Leonean stones. He described them as diamonds that “cut like butter” – a cutter’s dream. Not only are they easier to work with, he explained, but they often improve in color grade once polished, an uncommon and highly prized characteristic.

With Mickey Brookshire.

Sierra Leone deserves to be sought out for the exceptional quality of its diamonds, with global demand not only recognizing their beauty, but helping to support and empower the people behind them.

The Peace Diamond: Transforming a Community

One of the most powerful moments of my visit was seeing the impact of what is now known as the Peace Diamond.

Pastor Emmanuel Momoh holding the 709 carat Peace Diamond.

In 2017, a remarkable 709-carat diamond was discovered in Kono by artisanal miners. The stone was entrusted to Pastor Emmanuel Momoh, who managed the mining site. Faced with the opportunity to smuggle the diamond out of the country, he chose instead to hand it over to the government, with the hope that its value would benefit the nation and, more specifically, his community.

The diamond was sold transparently for $6.5 million, and the proceeds were directed toward community development projects, including clean water, education, and infrastructure. Today, the village of Koryardu stands as a testament to what responsible diamond stewardship can achieve.

Together with Pastor Emmanuel Momoh and his wife.

Walking through the area, the impact is tangible. Schools, clinics, and access to essential services have transformed daily life. While these resources may still be modest by Western standards, they represent meaningful and lasting progress for the community.

Support from key industry figures, including the Rappaport family, helped ensure that the diamond’s value translated into sustainable development. It is a powerful example of how natural diamonds, when handled ethically and transparently, can directly uplift the communities from which they originate.

GemFair: Building a Better Framework

Another important part of the journey was visiting GemFair, an initiative established by De Beers to support responsible artisanal mining.

I approached this visit with cautious curiosity.

Would this be another example of a large corporation benefiting at the expense of local communities?

Instead, what I found was an initiative focused on improving standards, transparency, and opportunity for artisanal miners.

The trade mission team arriving at GemFair.

At GemFair’s offices, we saw how diamonds are documented, evaluated, and tracked—ensuring a clear and traceable journey from mine to market. The program, which has been operating in Sierra Leone for several years, is open exclusively to Sierra Leonean nationals, empowering local miners to participate in a more formalized and secure system.

At the mining sites themselves, I observed systems designed to support miners holistically: proper safety equipment, structured processes, and thoughtful environmental practices, with soil carefully preserved and returned to restore the land after mining.

GemFair extends beyond diamond sourcing, working to reshape a segment of the industry that has long operated under informal and vulnerable conditions, and representing a significant step toward a more equitable and transparent future for artisanal mining.

Freetown: Where Impact Becomes Personal

Back in Freetown, I visited Grace International Academy, a school funded in part by proceeds from the Peace Diamond.

This is where the story came full circle.

From a rough stone pulled from the earth…

to a global sale…

to classrooms filled with children, learning and building their futures.

The experience was deeply emotional. Thousands of children have received an education over the past decade thanks to initiatives like this. Sitting with the students, witnessing their energy, ambition, and joy, it was impossible not to feel the significance of what responsible diamond sourcing can achieve.

One of the most memorable moments was meeting Pastor Emmanuel Momoh and watching the entire school gather to sing with pride and enthusiasm. It was, without question, a profoundly moving experience.

Rethinking the Narrative

So, are diamonds still “blood diamonds”?

The reality is that the term belongs to a very specific period in history—but its shadow continues to shape public perception.

What I witnessed in Sierra Leone tells a different story.

I saw systems strengthening transparency, communities benefiting from their natural resources, and individuals – miners, families, and children – whose lives are being positively shaped by the diamond industry.

Is the industry without challenges? Certainly not. Poverty remains a significant issue, and progress is ongoing. But there is undeniable movement in the right direction.

As consumers, collectors, and industry professionals, we have a role to play. By asking informed questions, supporting responsible sourcing, and sharing these stories, we can help reshape the narrative.

Because sometimes, the most powerful thing a diamond can reflect is not just light—but progress.

With the INCREDIBLE Empower Africa Team!

With sincere thanks to the Empower Africa team, whose flawless organization of the trade mission made this journey possible. The next Sierra Leone trade mission is scheduled for October, and interested parties are encouraged to watch for upcoming details.