The Fifth C

The foundation that diamond values are based on are the Carat ColourClarity and Cut of a diamond. These are the Four C's of diamond gradingand have been the international qualifiers used to define the value ofdiamonds for centuries. The contemporary diamond industry the worldover has tried to introduce a fifth C in an attempt to brand diamonds ascertified or conflict free. The branding provides added value to thediamonds but the jury is still out on what the Fifth C really is and the courtof public opinion will decide this.</P>The value of diamonds is also being re-defined by criminals who havesought out diamonds and like commodities in North America for decades.For criminals diamonds are seen as instruments to facilitate criminalactivity and in this age of money tracking and anti-money launderinglegislation they are also used as a hedge against inflation and theauthorities. In the world of criminals who profit from diamonds the FifthC is Crime.</P><i>The Fifth C: The Criminal Use of Diamonds</I> exposes why criminalsare so drawn to diamonds how diamonds are used in criminal activityand why it is difficult to stop this criminal activity.