Mines in Koidu, Sierra Leone
Mines in Koidu, Sierra Leone
Carrying gravel out of the mine at Bakwa Bowa, DR Congo.
Washing the gravel in the river near MbujiMayi, DR Congo
Diamond divers at work in the river Cuango, Angola.
Sheka Kamara (18 years), Sierra Leone 'I am a diamond diver since one year here in the Sewa river. I stay two hours under water at a depth of 10 metres. It is cold, the air comes from a compressor.'
Diamond matters 2004 Domingos Papa Seko (35 years), Angola 'Originally I am from Malange. I have been a miner since 1992. During the war I have been send to Bula as a soldier. Since then I am washing gravel here.'
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen /NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Diamond buyer at the river in MbjiMayi, DR Congo
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Diamond found at the Sewa river, Sierra Leone
Diamond matters 2004 Funeral of a miner. Many miners die, because they drown or sand walls collapse, Mbuij Mayi, DR Congo
Cafunfo is one of the richest diamond towns in Angola.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Diamond market in MbujiMayi, DR Congo
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Pastor Mbaya Kafui (42 years), DR Congo 'I am a diamond dealer in MbujiMayi. Since 11 years I am also a pastor. I started my own church. About 10,000 people visit three times a week. They sell their diamonds to me after or before service.'
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Mbuli Molulu (50 years), DR Congo 'I am a custom officer at Kinshasa airport. I check the goods for export. This bag with diamonds has a value of 3 milllion dolllars.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Export of diamonds at Kinshasa airport, DR Congo.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen /NOOR Diamond matters 2004 The diamond area in Antwerp.
The exchange for rough diamonds in Antwerp.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Surat in India is the main polishing center for diamonds in the world. About 70-80% of the world diamond production passes through here.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen /NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Yogesh (13 years), Surat, India 'I come from a village very far from here, I live with my uncle in Surat. I cut diamonds, I start at 8 AM and finish at 8 PM. I earn 50 euros per month. Once a year I go home to my parents.'
Surat in India is the main polishing center for diamonds in the world. About 70-80% of the world diamond production passes through here. Lunch break at the diamond factories.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Exclusive jewellery store on 5th Avenue, New York.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 The diamond district at 47th Street in New York.
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Philippe Schaeffer, Paris 'I am the vice president of Harry Winston, one of the exclusive diamond houses in the world. All our jewellery is designed by ourselves. Customers usually come by appointment, but they can also just walk in. They rarely buy at once, they think for a while and come back.'
photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR Diamond matters 2004 Jetset party in London.
