Angry rallies. Scorching TV shows. Even threats of a boycott. The jewelry industry has never been faced with a crisis like the conflict diamond issue. While it has not yet affected jewelers on the grassroots level (see following story), it still could blow up in the industry's face.Certainly, the issue is morally troubling. And for those not familiar with African politics, it's also confusing. How are diamonds tied to war and amputations? And if there's no way to pinpoint the origin of a diamond, can the problem ever be resolved?All good questions. To help you answer them, JCK has compiled a primer outlining the basics of the issue. Let's start at the beginning …We hear about conflict diamonds. What is the connection between diamonds and conflict?The relationship is simple: Diamonds mean money.Rebel factions in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone feed their arms-