Is there such a thing as conflict emeralds or conflict rubies?

The gemstones described above definitely fit the description of conflict gemstones! After all, they are funding warfare conducted by rebel armies… I just wanted to add a bit more about the emerald mines seized by the Taliban. Apparently, these emeralds are extremely valuable and within just a few months the Taliban managed to take over the emerald mines and see to it that the mining workers provide them with half of what they are able to mine each and every day! The majority of emeralds found in the gemstone mines of Swat Valley in Pakistan are between almost a carat to more than 5 carats, meaning that such gemstones can rake in anywhere from a thousand to one hundred thousand dollars in the global gemstone market. Obviously, such large amounts of cash could do quite a bit to help the Taliban fund their terrorist efforts. It's unbelievable how their taking control of these emerald mines still hasn't caused the world to take much notice! The media in Pakistan has not made it a point to cover this important issue, which is worrying to say the least. Of course, the Taliban is doing what it can to promote their seizing of the emerald mines as an opportunity to provide employment for the local population. But hey, this is the Taliban we're talking about, not the United Nations, how gullible can you be?!!!

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Unfortunately, conflict diamonds (also known as blood diamonds) are not the only type of gemstone used to support and fund rebel armies. I'm not sure if they would fit the description of conflict emeralds, but I can think of a really good example of something that comes really close. About half a year ago, the Taliban took control of a couple of emerald mines that were no longer under operation. We can only assume that the rebels are planning to use the profits from the emerald mines in order to buy ammunition to be used in terrorist attacks, such as suicide belts and bombs. The emerald mines, situated in Swat Valley Pakistan, are expected to be a source of low quality gems. As a result of their low quality, emeralds from this region of Pakistan are usually cut into tiny gemstones to serve as accents in gemstone or diamond jewelry. It is incredibly hard to trace such tiny emeralds because they are cut into such undersized gemstones. Since it's so hard to trace these emeralds, it facilitates their entrance into the global jewelry industry, unless jewelry providers go to great lengths to track the true source of their gemstones. Generally speaking, colored gemstones are really hard to trace. In light of the human rights violations with regard to gemstone mining in Burma, there has been a ban on Burmese gemstones since last year. Nonetheless, Burmese gemstones are still winding up in the global jewelry market. Hence, such gemstones are funding both horrible violations like child labor, as well as the violent terrorist efforts of rebel groups, among them the Taliban. Though steps are being taken to regulate illegal gemstone trade, the situation is far from full proof at this point. For the time being, there is just one way to make sure that you are not participating in this horrific conflict trade – always be sure to request the certificates for your gemstones when buying gemstone jewelry or diamond jewelry.

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