De Beers controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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Historical monopoly and market-control criticism
De Beers' long-standing control over rough-diamond distribution led to allegations and criticism involving monopoly behavior, price coordination, restrictive supply practices and attempts to undermine independent producers.
Apartheid-era business relationship
Although Harry Oppenheimer opposed apartheid, De Beers operated in and benefited from South Africa's apartheid-era economic system, leading to continuing criticism of the company's historical role.
Conflict-diamond and supply-chain scrutiny
The broader diamond industry's conflict-diamond crisis damaged the traditional De Beers model and increased pressure for traceability, responsible sourcing and restrictions on the origin of stones.
Industrial-diamond wartime allegations
De Beers has been accused of restricting US access to industrial diamonds during the Second World War. The allegation appears in historical discussions of the company and remains a disputed aspect of its wartime record.