Reasons for NOT ACCEPTING a diamond!
- Thread starter absolutanne
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I plead ignorance on this one - I was engaged and married before I knew any of this. But I can tell you that since learning all this I have sworn off diamonds.
Now will someone please tell me the same facts about handbags?
Now will someone please tell me the same facts about handbags?
You could always get a GOVERNMENT certified Canadian diamond. They're beautiful and humane. DeBeers currently does not have full control of the Ekati mine where the majority of Canadian diamonds come from.
^Agreed, fully certified and traced with a laser engraved ID number. A link for information http://www.canadianarcticdiamond.com/
And a blurb about them:
"Canadian diamonds are the ethical, environmental and socially conscious diamond alternative to conflict African diamonds. Guaranteed conflict and bloodshed free, Canadian diamonds are a pure, clean and ethical choice. All Canadian diamonds are mined in strict accordance to the social, environmental, and labour practices of Canada, strictly regulated by the Government of Canada. The Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct ensures an identifiable audit trail for each Canadian diamond from the mine to the retail jeweler. Canadian diamonds are tracked from mine, through the refining process to the retail jeweller with a unique diamond identification number (DIN) laser inscribed on the diamonds girdle."
And a blurb about them:
"Canadian diamonds are the ethical, environmental and socially conscious diamond alternative to conflict African diamonds. Guaranteed conflict and bloodshed free, Canadian diamonds are a pure, clean and ethical choice. All Canadian diamonds are mined in strict accordance to the social, environmental, and labour practices of Canada, strictly regulated by the Government of Canada. The Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct ensures an identifiable audit trail for each Canadian diamond from the mine to the retail jeweler. Canadian diamonds are tracked from mine, through the refining process to the retail jeweller with a unique diamond identification number (DIN) laser inscribed on the diamonds girdle."
There really is no reason an engagement ring has to be a diamond. Diamonds are pretty boring really, I mean other than the fact that they're sparkly and worth a lot they don't offer much more than other stones. I prefer a nice colored stone.
I guess debeers has us all fooled into thinking that we have to get diamonds because they're "traditional" but actually they're not traditional at all. In France, I believe a colored stone is still customary.
Some stones ARE stronger than others (you can see what is what using mohs hardness scale) and diamonds are a 10, which is the hardest, but really there is no reason that a woman shouldn't be able to take care of a stone with a hardness of 9, such as a ruby. Remember only substances with a hardness greater than your stone can scratch your stone.
You can google Mohs hardness scale and the name of the stone and it will tell you what the stone is rated.
I guess debeers has us all fooled into thinking that we have to get diamonds because they're "traditional" but actually they're not traditional at all. In France, I believe a colored stone is still customary.
Some stones ARE stronger than others (you can see what is what using mohs hardness scale) and diamonds are a 10, which is the hardest, but really there is no reason that a woman shouldn't be able to take care of a stone with a hardness of 9, such as a ruby. Remember only substances with a hardness greater than your stone can scratch your stone.
You can google Mohs hardness scale and the name of the stone and it will tell you what the stone is rated.
ITA--all diamond sellers are not evil...some make sure to comply with ethical standards
A reputable jeweller or diamond merchant should be able to provide assurance that the stones they are selling are conflict free and certified by the Kimberly Process- something the UN started to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. It's not a perfect system, but it's certainly a good start.
I heard the Cartier SA mentioned that their diamonds go thr' the Kimberly Process---does anyone know anymore about that? He basically made it sound like that if the diamond goes thr' this process officially, then every path, hand or anything that touches this diamond is documented so that should lead to less likely to be "bad/conflict diamonds".
aww 
the economist report link is dead. i'd like to read the article. i wear a diamond and yay, i know it's conflict free because on the certificate it says so. maybe i should google this diamond conflict because i've always wanted to read more on it.
the economist report link is dead. i'd like to read the article. i wear a diamond and yay, i know it's conflict free because on the certificate it says so. maybe i should google this diamond conflict because i've always wanted to read more on it.There's a book called Cry of the Kalahari I think you'd enjoy. Tells how mining has changed the wildebeast migration in Africa that's been happening for eons. I read it 20 yrs ago I swore off jewelry until I met my DH and we were engaged.
My e-ring and wedding band are 5.7 carats and I do not know where they came from. We honeymooned in Botswana, So Africa and Zimbabwe last year and I've gained some awareness. Countries like Botswana have a high standard of living and the political rule is very good. The people benefit from the diamonds mined in their country.
IMHO not everything is black and white. Although oppression of any kind should not be tolerated or ignored, I don't feel one should feel badly for wearing or appreciating diamonds for their beauty. And, as in the case of Botswana, the diamond industry has done some good.
This is just my humble opinion. I respect yours and thank you for bringing up the important subject.
My e-ring and wedding band are 5.7 carats and I do not know where they came from. We honeymooned in Botswana, So Africa and Zimbabwe last year and I've gained some awareness. Countries like Botswana have a high standard of living and the political rule is very good. The people benefit from the diamonds mined in their country.
IMHO not everything is black and white. Although oppression of any kind should not be tolerated or ignored, I don't feel one should feel badly for wearing or appreciating diamonds for their beauty. And, as in the case of Botswana, the diamond industry has done some good.
This is just my humble opinion. I respect yours and thank you for bringing up the important subject.
Oooh I wanted a De Beers diamond!!! Mmm maybe I should re-think my choice!
Im traditional, and would always want a diamond as an engagement ring.
Pink sapphires are soo pretty by bf got me a necklace, pink sapphire solitare, edged in diamonds set on white gold for my 19th Bday present.
Actually maybe I would have that as my engagement ring, matching! Mmm I dont know, my bf did say though after we watched blood diamond that he will never buy me a diamond again, unless we knew it was conflict free, which is fine by me!
Im traditional, and would always want a diamond as an engagement ring.
Pink sapphires are soo pretty by bf got me a necklace, pink sapphire solitare, edged in diamonds set on white gold for my 19th Bday present.
Actually maybe I would have that as my engagement ring, matching! Mmm I dont know, my bf did say though after we watched blood diamond that he will never buy me a diamond again, unless we knew it was conflict free, which is fine by me!
That's pretty much what the kimberly process does- I work at a jeweller, and when the movie blood diamond was released, we were all briefed on the kimberly process and blood diamonds. At this point in time, the scheme is voluntary for countries- although according to diamondfacts.org, there are currently 71 countries participating in the scheme.
The process involves the sources of rough diamonds being checked to ensure they are conflict free. They are then sealed in a tamper resistant container and a certificate is issued. Participant countries can only export/import diamonds from other participant countries, and they cannot accept imports from non-participant countries. This scheme does look like it's working too- over 99% of the world's diamonds now come from countries participating in the scheme.
If you want to find out more, I found that diamondfacts.org was really informative and had really good resources. Buying conflict diamonds is morally wrong, but you can buy conflict free diamonds with confidence if the retailer/merchant can assure you that their diamonds comply with the certification scheme.
I recently read about this, and since have not purchased a diamond. Also told my DH to no longer invest into it. CZ or stones are just as good for me.
