Zimbabwe could earn billions of dollars selling diamonds from an area scarred by abuse after a crisis that left the "blood diamond" watchdog tattered.

The Kimberley Process has authorised the sale of diamonds from two mining sites in Marange, Zimbabwe where alleged rights violations took place.

Zimbabwe Finance Minister Tendai Biti on Wednesday urged diamond watchdog the Kimberley Process to clear the country to sell its diamonds.

Zimbabwe’s mining minister says the country will go ahead and sell its diamonds without approval from the world diamond control body.

A Zimbabwean activist accused of passing information on diamond-mining violations to the international diamond control body was on Monday denied bail.

Human Rights Watch claims Zimbabwe has broken its promise to halt physical abuse of diamond miners and should have its certification frozen.

You would think that, with its vibrant diamond trade, South Africa would be first in line to prevent the smuggling of diamonds from Zimbabwe.