Diamonds are found in about a quarter of Sierra Leone in the south-east and east of the country, within the diamond fields which cover 7,700 square miles. The main production areas are concentrated around the drainage areas of rivers in the Kono, Kenema and Bo Districts. In the Kono, Kenema, Bo and Pujehun Districts there are 1,700 artisanal mining licenses in operation.
Every year the export of rough diamonds increases, under direct coordination of the government  who manages the increase in the amount of diamond mining.

The biggest diamond found in Sierra Leone, and the third largest diamond in the world, was a 969.8 carat (194 g) rough diamond. It was found in the 1972 and named the Star of Sierra Leone.