Would brides-to-be be less obsessed with diamonds if they knew the disgusting things that diamonds represent?

Question

Doesn't anyone research what they are purchasing, anymore? Has no one heard of conflict diamonds or blood diamonds? Why do so many couples planning to marry turn a blind eye to these horrors (children maimed by machetes, a system of slave labor)?

www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html

campus.murraystate.edu/.../BloodDiamonds.html

english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view...

www.amnestyusa.org/amnestynow/diamonds.html

www.zreportage.com/blood_diamonds_site.shtml

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2775763.stm

www.rotten.com/library/crime/blood-diamonds/

Grum, your answer is completely incorrect.

Answer 1

Wow!! That was an eye-opener. Now I'm going to change my mind about getting a diamond ring and find something just as valuable without all that sort of problems.

Answer 2

I completely agree with you. I don't even think diamonds are that pretty when it comes down to it. The only ones that I have ever seen that look anything like the magazines and tv ads, very few people can afford them without sacrificing other necessary living expenses or taking out a huge loan.

I honestly don't believe that most people care even if they do know where they come from. It's pretty, it's traditional, it's not a "real" engagement/wedding ring without them, it shows that your fiance is an honest hard worker if he can afford one, etc. is what society has been told over and over until some people sincerely believe that they're committing a cardinal sin if they don't get (or give, depending on which gender you're talking about) one.

DeBeers pretty much owns the worldwide diamond industry, not just in Africa. Unless you buy a Polar diamond which is mined in Canada, is not part of the monopoly, and does not employ children or have bloody civil wars, etc involved, you are lining Debeer's pocket, even if you don't realize it. A Polar diamond has a trademark engraved on it, (is so small you can't see it with the naked eye but the jeweler would probably gladly show it to you), so you can tell what you're getting.

Answer 3

It is terrible that diamonds are harvested under such grim conditions. But it is not the first time someone in this world has been controlled by the black market or some other dictatorship.
The profits also go to support terrorists.

One in 10 diamonds are smuggled. The US now demands that diamonds be certified; hence the Kimberly Process.
Experts can tell usually tell where a diamond is from, but only if they have a large enough batch.

That doesn't mean that people should stop buying diamonds. It means they should be more selective.

Answer 4

Hence the Kimberley Process. Roughly 99.8% of all diamonds go through this. It insures that the diamonds aren't conflict diamonds.

http://www.kimberleyprocess.com:8080/site/?name=home

There are currently 45 countries that participate in it, the US being one of them.

Before conflict diamonds were even a problem, or recognized as one, they had meaning. All gems do. The diamond represents innocence and constancy. It's the birthstone for April. They also are the Zodiac stones for Cancer, Libra, Aries, and Leo. Diamonds represent the planet of Venus, and the Sun. They are associated with the powers of protection and strength.

While your cause is just and good, it's not 100% accurate today.

Answer 5

You are completely right about the situation. I decided never to participate in such a system. Then I found out that the diamond industry has responded to their customers' concerns by offering certified "non-conflict diamonds" that come from ethical sources. I specifically asked for a "non-conflict diamond" as a way to display to the store owner (hence the industry) my willingness to buy products that are ethically sound. The diamond industry is opening its eyes to this fact. So keep in mind that there are ways to fight the system from within the system.

Answer 6

Even though most have heard about them, the bottom line is that many want diamonds. they dont care where they came from, or how they were got or even who gets them... All they care about is what will look good on their hands, necks, ears or toes...

It's not right, It's not ok, but most dont care. heck- even NIKE gets away with substandard conditions... When there is no demand for an item there will be no more problems....

Answer 7

i myself wanted a ruby engagement ring. yet, as quickly as we began finding for them, those we could cope with to pay for have been undesirable high quality and cloudy and those I enjoyed have been two times as costly as diamonds of the comparable length. So, we ended up going with a diamond engagement ring. yet, i understand people who've had ruby, sapphire and emerald engagement rings and that they have been eye-catching. basically be careful with rubies and emeralds - they are not as difficult as diamonds and can be extra companies to cracking and chipping for the period of daily use!

Answer 8

Maybe a few would change their buying habits, but there are certainly plenty of consumer products that we live in "ignorance is bliss"-land about. (Mind you, not all sources are rife with controversy and conflict, I'm just generalizing here, folks.) Gasoline, coffee, most of our clothing, some animals, vanilla, cocoa, bananas, cigars, gemstones, coal...

Answer 9

Conflict diamonds are such a small part of the diamond market that less than .01% reach the US. Conflict diamonds are also illegal if the country of origin can be established.

Answer 10

It's a sad fact - check out Lord of War with Nicolas Cage if you haven't already.