Online Diamond Boutique guarantees Conflict-Free Diamonds

I

IdealD

Member
Jan 21, 2009
54
1
#1
From to time I come across people sniggering at my diamonds. They are quite adamant in telling me they would never buy diamonds as they don't want to support the sales of Conflict or Blood Diamonds.

Conflict or Blood diamonds do exist but there are some online Diamond Boutiques who guarantee every diamond they sell is Conflict-Free.

For those of you who have heard the terminology but don't fully understand what conflict diamonds are;

Blood Diamonds are rough diamonds controlled by certain factions which are sold to fund illegal activities and military conflict. The diamonds are mined and sold illegally. As a result many thousands of people are enslaved and subject to human rights abuses.

I purchased my engagement ring from http://Whiteflash.com. This company sources their diamonds directly through legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions, in accordance with the Kimberly Process and the USA Patriot Act.

They have also created 2 lines of jewelery to help the victims of the Blood Diamond Trade.

The first one is called Dreams of Africa, (http://dreamsofafrica.org/) where 100% of the profits go to WCCI (World Centers of Compassion for Children International). The second is called AWEAR which is a jewelery line designed for children. Whiteflash hopes to build global awareness amongst youth for this cause. 25% of the profits from AWEAR will go to WCCI to support the healthcare and educational development of child victims of conflict diamonds in those countries affected. Here is the site for AWEAR http://www.whiteflash.com/info/awear.aspx

I love diamonds. I also love knowing the money I spend on buying diamonds is not contributing to the atrocities experienced by innocent human beings as a result of trading Conflict Diamonds.

IdealD
 
#3
Apologies, I have been a little over enthusiastic in talking about Whiteflash. I have purchased all my diamonds through them as a result of them being a recommended vendor on http://pricescope.com

There are lots of other great online Diamond vendors who I spoke to and are recommended on pricescope.

http://goodoldgold.com
http://jamesallen.com
http://engagementringsdirect.com

I am interested to see if they are doing anything charitable. I'm going to email them, find out and be back to post about it.

Just thought it was an interesting topic as I don't know of anyone in the jewelery business who is contributing anything back - especially in these times.

Would be great to hear from anyone else who knows of a vendor, online or otherwise who is doing the same.

IdealD
 
#5
I had the worst experience ever with Whiteflash so I would NEVER refer ANYONE there, regardless of their stance on conflict diamonds. I don't trust them, and I don't trust their workmanship.

But I do find it interesting how many of your posts plug them.
 
#6
prettystuff said:
I think that it is great that you are concerned about blood diamonds. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a conflict free diamond even if there wasn't torture and war behind the diamond there is still the horrible environmental impact that comes with mining and there is the unrepresented grossly inflated cost of the rock itself. I did a lot of research here as a consumer http://www.thegreenerdiamond.org. Read there sections on conflict diamonds and consumer resources. The idea behind the Kimberley Process is nice but there is no regulation and it does not work. Yet all these so called conflict free diamond companies hide behind it and play it to death. I have never heard of the charity foundations that you listed for white flash. I do see at The Greener Diamond that they work with "Youth Action International", "Doctors without borders" and "Unicef". These are globally established charities at the for front of combating the trade of conflict diamonds. Here is the founder of Youth action international Kimmie Weeks, listen to his story it blew me away when I first heard it. http://www.miadonnadiamondblog.com/...uth-action-international-and-liberian-native/ The fact that The Greener Diamond is supported buy established organizations gives me confidence in the company itself. The Greener Diamond is a charity Foundation sponsored by a company called MiaDonna http://www.miadonna.com that offers consumers a form of lab created diamond that is made using man made diamond crystals.
If fact I could call every single company you listed and none of them would be able to give me a clear straight answer guaranteeing that their diamonds are conflict free. The last piece I like about the greener Diamond is 100% of the proceeds they generate go to helping people, not 50% or 25%. If you are truly concerned about conflict diamonds I would do some reading at the greener diamond. You can research simple information and get a list of questions to ask your jeweler about blood diamonds or you can dig deeper and look at clips, images and reports that will horrify you for a long time. There are warnings if you are going to be viewing undesirable material. If you like working with the company because of customer service and style thats great, but lets be clear, none of the companies you listed can prove there claim to sell conflict free diamonds and will only shut you down if you dig to deep.
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thank you for not attacking people who do have a concern about blood diamonds. the resources you have posted were very informative on the subject.:heart:
 
#7
Thanks for the informative post and the link. I will read it.

I did get an answer from James Allen about what charity work they are involved in. They said the prefer to keep their philanthropic work quiet but do donate to JFC (www.jewelersforchildren.org) and have given substantially to their organization over the years.

Prettystuff have you heard of this foundation?

I don't think though I would be convinced to buy lab created diamonds just as I don't buy copy watches or fake designer handbags.

ame I'm sorry to hear you did not have a good experience with Whiteflash. Its true that no company can have a 100% track record. I hoped you voiced your concerns to them!!

Have you posted anywhere about the good experience you did get from where you purchased your diamond?

I have had such bad experiences with retail jewelers over the years ,(my uneducated fault) that I like to read when its gone right for people.

IdealD
 
#8
prettystuff said:
I think that it is great that you are concerned about blood diamonds. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a conflict free diamond even if there wasn't torture and war behind the diamond there is still the horrible environmental impact that comes with mining and there is the unrepresented grossly inflated cost of the rock itself. I did a lot of research here as a consumer http://www.thegreenerdiamond.org. Read there sections on conflict diamonds and consumer resources. The idea behind the Kimberley Process is nice but there is no regulation and it does not work. Yet all these so called conflict free diamond companies hide behind it and play it to death. I have never heard of the charity foundations that you listed for white flash. I do see at The Greener Diamond that they work with "Youth Action International", "Doctors without borders" and "Unicef". These are globally established charities at the for front of combating the trade of conflict diamonds. Here is the founder of Youth action international Kimmie Weeks, listen to his story it blew me away when I first heard it. http://www.miadonnadiamondblog.com/...uth-action-international-and-liberian-native/ The fact that The Greener Diamond is supported buy established organizations gives me confidence in the company itself. The Greener Diamond is a charity Foundation sponsored by a company called MiaDonna http://www.miadonna.com that offers consumers a form of lab created diamond that is made using man made diamond crystals.
If fact I could call every single company you listed and none of them would be able to give me a clear straight answer guaranteeing that their diamonds are conflict free. The last piece I like about the greener Diamond is 100% of the proceeds they generate go to helping people, not 50% or 25%. If you are truly concerned about conflict diamonds I would do some reading at the greener diamond. You can research simple information and get a list of questions to ask your jeweler about blood diamonds or you can dig deeper and look at clips, images and reports that will horrify you for a long time. There are warnings if you are going to be viewing undesirable material. If you like working with the company because of customer service and style thats great, but lets be clear, none of the companies you listed can prove there claim to sell conflict free diamonds and will only shut you down if you dig to deep.
Click to expand...

These are amazing links- you should post them in the Synthetic Diamonds thread as well:yes:!
sinniebunnie- it's great to see that you are taking an interest in conflict diamonds and lab-created diamonds after all and educating yourself on the subject! It shows you have an open mind- I wish more people would do the same when they realize they are not well-versed on a particular topic :tup:!
 
#9
IdealD said:
Thanks for the informative post and the link. I will read it.


ame I'm sorry to hear you did not have a good experience with Whiteflash. Its true that no company can have a 100% track record. I hoped you voiced your concerns to them!!

Have you posted anywhere about the good experience you did get from where you purchased your diamond?

I have had such bad experiences with retail jewelers over the years ,(my uneducated fault) that I like to read when its gone right for people.
Click to expand...
Yes, I did actually. WF knows EXACTLY how I feel. And it made very little difference. But luckily that experience allowed me to patronize other vendors who actually give a rip about their customers and providing their customers a quality, well made product. I have had great experiences with Good Old Gold and Signed PIeces and Quest. I haven't had many good experiences locally however. Pretty much the same reasons I had issues with WF. Only interested in getting your money, not interested in making you happy. I guess it's a positive that I don't really need or want for any jewelry right now!

I admire your thirst for more info on the subject of conflict diamonds and for being so staunchly devoted to not patronizing anyone that uses them.
 
#10
I personally but my engagement ring from Good Old Gold, who I highly recommend. My parents house happens to be ten minutes from them. So funny that I found them online in Greece and they live in near by town to where I grew up. Anyway back on subject my diamond came with a birth certificate that said it was not a conflict diamond. So I was very happy with myself that I wasn't buying a conflict diamond. So I was talking to a diamond dealer and Greece and was telling him how happy I was that I hadn't bought a conflict diamond because I had the birth certificate and everything and honestly the man laughed at me and told me birth certificate or not most likely the diamond was a conflict diamond because a very high percentage of diamonds are. Just the ones with the certificate are more expensive.
 
#11
Goodoldgold is a very good vendor. Jonathon's site is very informative. Congrats on your purchase.

Have you posted a picture of your ring? I'm still trying to get a decent photograph of mine.

I'm still trying to find out more information on Blood Diamonds. Someone informed me today that since The terrorism Act was imposed in 2002 its illegal for anyone in the U.S. to be involved in the selling of conflict stones. I think there is a national government watchdog called globalwitness.com monitoring this.......

I'm open to any factual information anyone can share on this topic.

IdealD
 
#12
prettystuff said:
I say that any diamond company that says there diamonds are conflict free either cant prove it, says its classified information or is hiding behind the Kimberly process, Even if they are great people with a great store and beautiful Jewelry.
Click to expand...

Canadian diamonds, which are laser inscribed, can be proved to be conflict free...
 
#13
stylefly said:
These are amazing links- you should post them in the Synthetic Diamonds thread as well:yes:!
sinniebunnie- it's great to see that you are taking an interest in conflict diamonds and lab-created diamonds after all and educating yourself on the subject! It shows you have an open mind- I wish more people would do the same when they realize they are not well-versed on a particular topic :tup:!
Click to expand...

eh not this :hs: again from you.

I already knew about these subjects and for you to call me "not well-versed and uneducated is just uncalled for. my other comment was merely a simple comment with no strings attached to it. there was no dept or detail into it. do me a favor and just stop being a :dots: thanks.
 
#14
http://www.responsiblejewellery.com lists businesses, diamond cutters, trade associations, manufacturers, retailers etc. who practice responsible business ethics and can source all their materials. I.E. no human slave labor, minimal environmental impact, etc. in gold and diamonds.

Members include retailers Cartier, Harry Winston, JC Penney, Helzberg, Montblanc, Piaget, Tiffany & Co., VanCleef, Whiteflash.com, and the Zale Corporation.
 
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