It is horrible to think that my sentimental gift to someone is the fruit of someone torment and blood. How Can I avoid buying Blood Diamonds?
2006-12-18 15:05:08 · 18 answers · asked by †ђ!ηK †αηK² 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The character story may or may not be true but there are "blood" diamonds, better known as conflict diamonds, floating around in the market. Efforts to remove them or keep them out of the markets have often failed. The only way to be sure is to only deal with retailers, privately owned stores may buys these diamonds to turn a larger profit, and to demand that your diamonds are "conflict free", the store owner will know what you mean and may be able to provide with documents stating the origniation of the diamond.
2006-12-18 15:14:51 · answer #1 · answered by Heather 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I believe the actual story and characters in the film are fictional. However the historical detail in the film is pretty accurate and the characters are based on real people who suffered those kinds of atrocities.
I really appreciate your question and your concern over this issue. I actually lived in Sierra Leone for a couple of years after the war ended. There is not a person in that country that was not affected horribly by that war.
The way to ensure that you don't buy a 'blood diamond' is to not buy a diamond (or to buy a synthetic diamond or one of the above mentioned Canadian diamonds with the serial numbers). Other than that, it is virtually impossible to trace a diamond's origins, so even if you have a certificate from a jeweler that the stone is conflict-free, it may or may not be entirely accurate. They are making some strides forward in the Kimberley process and other initiatives, but there is much work yet to be done.
I'm not completely of the opinion that we should boycott diamonds--these stones have been the source of endless pain and suffering, but they also have the potential to pull the economies of some of the poorest countries in the world (such as Sierra Leone) out of the abject poverty--if the resources can be channeled in an effective and beneficial way.
I'd recommend reading the book Blood Diamonds, by Greg Campbell or checking out this article from World Vision's website for more detail: http://www.worldvision.org/about_us.nsf/child/enews_diamonds_200612?Open&campaign=12653820&cmp=EMC-12653820&ppi=893608&enver=s1
This is also an informative interactive article on MSNBC about the journey of a diamond: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15842523/
Best wishes to you!
2006-12-22 04:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by lucybelle 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's difficult. Because the diamond industry is allowed to self-regulate in this matter, it's nearly impossible to tell if the diamond you're buying is a blood diamond or not. Until stricter regulation is imposed by the federal government, the only way you can be sure of not buying a blood diamond is not to buy any diamonds at all. Instead, think of a more personal gift, something creative. Write a poem or a song. Recreate your first date. Anything that requires more thought than money is a winner. Or you could also take the money you would have spent and take her on a vacation. You'll be creating memories with her and giving her stories to tell when she gets back. It may not impress her friends as much as a fat rock on her finger would, but it's close.
2006-12-18 15:10:51 · answer #3 · answered by Guelph 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
About four years ago, National Public Radio ran a series on the diamond industry. My computer isn't cooperating with me, so I can't find the stories for you, but I highly recommend it if you can find it at www.npr.org.
What I remember:
1. Diamonds aren't rare (anymore--they were in the Middle Ages but many resources have been discovered since then). The price is artificially inflated b/c there is a monopoly in the industry (DeBeers).
2. Diamond engagement rings were not a tradition prior to the Great Depression, when ad campaigns had to find a way to convince people to spend on a luxury item during hard times. That ad campaign suggested saving one month's salary to buy the ring.
3. Although there is a strict certification process for all diamonds entering the American market to avoid blood diamonds from entering, approximately 4% of diamonds on the market are blood diamonds with false certification.
If you really want a diamond, the best way to avoid the risk of a blood diamond is by buying a diamond mined in North America. Arkansas, I believe, has the largest diamond resource in the USA, although it's not the only state to have diamond mines. You can even go try to mine one yourself, I'm told, although I've never looked into that.
Estate jewelry is another option. You'll want to find an appraiser for that, I suppose.
Personally, I don't like diamonds that much, anyway. There are lots of other beautiful gemstones out there.
2006-12-18 15:22:09 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda L 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The story of " Blood Diamond" is very true. The Kimberly Process has supposedly diminnished Blood diamonds from the market, but a lot of jewelers don't offer any evidence of having bought diamonds that went thru this process. If you are really concerned I say avoid purchasing any diamond and buy a few RED products.
Peace
2006-12-19 06:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by Reggie 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
RE: Based on a true story?-Blood Diamond? Is the Movie Blood Diamond Based on a true story or is it completely fictional, all I know is that it is my favorite movie ever.
2016-05-23 06:14:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is inspired by true events, not necessarily a true story. You may ask for a certificate where the diamond came from, but there is no guarantee. in this world in this time, we can never be sure. All we can do is try our best to ensure that what we buy does not support any wrong doings.
2006-12-21 10:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"A blood diamond (also called a conflict diamond or a war diamond) is a diamond mined in a war zone and sold, usually clandestinely, in order to finance an insurgent or invading army's war efforts."
I don't think you can usually find out where a particular diamond came from, so the only way I can think of to avoid getting a blood diamond is to get a lab-created diamond.
2006-12-18 15:09:46 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its a bit scary isnt it. They overall premise is true - the sale of diamonds from many countries goes to finance the violence and turmoil faced by many african countries. Many big name jewellery places have signed agreements not to buy and sell these types of diamonds. Some diamonds can be traced to where they have come from, so try to buy from reputable dealers and ask questions about where they source their diamonds and what measures they have in place to prevent buying blood diamonds.
2006-12-18 15:19:25 · answer #9 · answered by Minerva 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buying a diamond at all, whether from some certified source or not, helps to keep the artificial cartel-controlled price of diamonds high, which in turn helps keep the value of illegal diamonds high. There will always be someone to buy those illicit diamonds as long as diamonds themselves are perceived as being rare and valuable.
If you really care much, at least buy a synthetic diamond, a cubic zirconium, or some other type of gem stone.
2006-12-18 15:15:55 · answer #10 · answered by mattzcoz 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋