"Blood diamonds," also known as "conflict diamonds," are precious stones mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against governments. These diamonds often come from regions where human rights abuses, forced labor, and violence are prevalent, particularly in parts of Africa. The term gained prominence in the late 1990s, leading to international efforts to regulate the diamond trade. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established to prevent the sale of blood diamonds by requiring that diamonds be certified as conflict-free before being traded.