Diamonds form deep underground and are mined commercially or alluvially before being sorted and polished in places like Antwerp. De Beers monopolized the diamond market in the 20th century and created the illusion of scarcity, raising prices and fueling conflicts in countries with alluvial mines. While groups like the Kimberley Process aim to reduce conflict diamonds, violence continues in places with easy diamond access like Côte d'Ivoire due to loopholes and black market smuggling.