Blood Diamonds

[FaithfulServant]

I'm putting this in the courting couples forum because I'm sure many of y'all have thought about wedding rings at one time or another...and if you haven't well you will after this I saw the Nicholas Cage movie Lord of War that got me thinking about this....

I'm sure most of you know about blood diamonds/conflict diamonds that come from African mines ...if you don't here's a briefing on it:

"Conflict diamonds are not just a public-relations problem. About one in every ten gem diamonds is smuggled from four African nations—Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola—that feed money to a large black market. Some of the profits go to criminal gangs, some to brutal ruling regimes, some to outright terrorists. And the stones are mined under oppressive conditions for the smallest of wages, using methods that damage the countryside
Part of the problem is human and part is geological.

The human part is the diamond market, an ancient secretive business where dealers trade stones back and forth, combine lots from different sources, and sell them across many borders during their trip to the jeweler.

American law demands certification only from the last country to export the stone. It has never been very important to know where a stone comes from—once cut and polished, a perfect diamond sheds its history. And no one in the business is interested in changing things any more than they have to."

I'm sure most of you know about the diamond monopoly - Debeers - you buy a diamond basically its gonna come from them. Anyway, some people try to solve the problem of not buying blood diamonds because who wants to support that or think about it everytime you look at your ring? One way is to buy Canadian diamonds....BUT there is evidence that many "canadian diamonds" are actually blood diamonds smuggled out of Africa, where the illegal diamond trade is buying guns for terroirsts.(Yeah, like in the new Nicholas Cage movie) Look here: http://temagami.carleton.ca/jmc/cnews/15022002/feature.shtml


Anyway, the point of this thread is to ask....what alternatives are there? I can think of only a few:
1. Get a wedding ring without a stone.
2. Get a wedding ring with a stone other than diamond (ruby, sapphire, etc)
3. Get an imitation diamond (mossanite, cubic zirconia, Asha)
4. Tattoo a ring onto your hand. haha

And I can't think of anything else to solve this moral dilema? What do you guys think about this? Is it morally wrong to purchase a stone that there is a 1 in 10 chance or greater that it is a blood diamond and supports terrorists?

 

[plum]

In my mind, it is morally rocky ground. I personally never want a diamond because of this risk. If I could guarantee that the diamond came from a good, safe, upright situation then perhaps I would... but because I cannot know where the diamonds truly come from, or trust that information, I will not buy diamond jewelry. I'm a fan of a sapphire for an engagement ring anyway (i love gemstones more) and this has been the plan for some time.

I first learned about the Debeers horrors about 5 years ago and it's never felt right since to buy diamonds. I do think it's a personal choice, but people should be educated about where their diamonds come from and at what cost that cute little sparkle comes.

I believe that we as believers are called to abhor the evils of this world and avoid them actively, not taking part in injustice-- especially on a wide-scale social level. I think being involved with companies or organizations like Debeers is a sin because of the evils it perpetuates.

that's my .02 c

 

[peanutbutter12]

For those of you who are so concerned over where you buy your diamonds, there are companies who can make real diamonds with machines now. Not even professionals can tell the difference because there is none.

CJ

 

[FaithfulServant]

For those of you who are so concerned over where you buy your diamonds, there are companies who can make real diamonds with machines now. Not even professionals can tell the difference because there is none.

CJ

Actually, the companies that make diamonds with machines like for example Takara diamonds, do not make the regular clear diamond. They do produce yellow, pink, and blue diamonds. At this time the cost to produce man made a clear diamond and have it cut, would already exceed the cost of an earth made diamond. Thats why on the websites of these companies they explain that the man made diamonds they sell (and not stimulants) are colored.

Perhaps sometime in the distant future they will be able to make a profit off of selling clear man made, but at the moment no companies do. (At least that was the case about 2 months ago, the last time I checked).

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

I have a letter of guarantee stating where my diamond is coming from (that was the first thing I got with it) - the store that does these rings (Australia doesn't have debeers or whatever for the majority of stones) ensures that they can trace where each diamond came from. In my case, it's from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia.

That was something that was important to me - that I wasn't going to contribute to the issue of slavery.

Sasch

 

[wemmick]

The diamond in my engagement ring is from my grandmother's aunt's engagement ring from the 1800s.... so maybe going antique can help avoid the issue?

Becca

 

[MrsSeptemberPenguin]

That's a good point, and I don't suppose ignorance would work. Not that I want it to...hmm...

 

[AveMaria]

Many colored gemstones are also provided by slave labor conditions, so you're not necessarily avoiding these issues if you pick a ruby or sapphire.

I'd also like to point out that so many items we buy are produced by underpaid folks working in sweatshop or near-slavery conditions - most of the clothing in our closets, for example. Many children's toys.

Yet gemstones seem to be in a special category because they're a luxury item.

I don't know, there isn't an easy answer, is there? Unfortunately, I adore jewelry, so this puts me in a very uncomfortable position.

 

[FaithfulServant]

Many colored gemstones are also provided by slave labor conditions, so you're not necessarily avoiding these issues if you pick a ruby or sapphire.

I'd also like to point out that so many items we buy are produced by underpaid folks working in sweatshop or near-slavery conditions - most of the clothing in our closets, for example. Many children's toys.

Yet gemstones seem to be in a special category because they're a luxury item.

I don't know, there isn't an easy answer, is there? Unfortunately, I adore jewelry, so this puts me in a very uncomfortable position.

The issue with diamonds isn't so much that they are using slave labor to get them - but that the diamonds are providing guns to brutal dictators and terrorists to massacre and slaughter civillians. The diamonds are literally used as currency for buying guns and ammunition.

 

[Sploge]

i think i is a bit too young to be thinking of marrage any time soo sorry!!

 

[Linnis]

My husband and I are looking at an anniversery band for next year since we didn't get a diamond for either my Engagement or Wedding ring. If we do(which I'm starting to question) it will be from good company.

Many things are controled by such horrible people. I mean think about it half of the metel in cellphones is mined by children, who's only pay is 1 meal a day. They don't even know what it's for only that Americans pay for it.

It's horrible to think about.

 

[FiRePrOoF_bUnNy]

think i is a bit too young to be thinking of marrage any time soo sorry!!

Are you? I know people who have got married at your age! I'm younger than you - and i'm engaged!

 

[The Princess Bride]

I never even knew this was a problem! I guess I should read the news more often!

 

[Oblivious]

I'd say you're over reacting a bit. Most of your diamonds and precious metals (gold, silver, etc.) are mined in South Africa. There are creditable companies out there that you can purchase gems and precious metals from. If you are interested in purchasing, simply ask the jeweler where the stones/metals are coming from. If they're replicable, they will be able to tell you.

Don't let a few evil people control your life.

 

[Nico]

I'd say you're over reacting a bit.
Don't let a few evil people control your life.

i'm not so sure she is overreacting....a majority of diamonds are controlled by de beers and they aren't the most ethical. diamonds are sooo expensive due to the de beers monopoly as well. and it's not just letting a few evil people control your life--a few evil people ARE controlling peoples' lives, and many are dyeing and being expolited and mistreated and all sorts of horrible things because of it. unfortunately it is an issue that gets glossed over a lot in the US, but it's very real, and something to care about. it is hard though, as someone mentioned, there are a lot of companies that exploit people in other areas of commerce (which i believe is a cause for concern as well.) i have no idea how to approach it, but i certainly believe that it is an issue that deserves our attention and our thinking of ways to approach it.

i have thought about the other gemstone thing as an option. i'm not sure that's the right option.

sometimes i get horrified at the concept of the engagement ring. i admit that i do like pretty things, jewlery being no exception, but something about using such a material, worldly thing to symbolize my love seems.....trite, and cheap, and i don't know, not quite right.

as i said, i do like jewlery. i don't wear it a lot, but i'm attracted to pretty canary diamonds (that'd be my favorite). but what's the cost? does it mean that much to me? aren't my treasures supposed to be in heaven?

i've kicked around the idea of just a plain band. i get a little bummed about the prospect of giving up the whole gemstone thing, but......

i'm interested in still trying to come up with more ideas.....

estate jewlery.....that's not a bad one....

 

[Nico]

so i guess the first step is in educating ourselves.

here are some websites. this one: http://web.idrc.ca/en/ev-5505-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html seems to point out that diamond regulations are really poor. one thing we can do is try and get governments to tighten up regulations, i guess

something about reconcilliations: http://www.africafocus.org/docs04/sl0410.php

from the UN: http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html

i'm going to look for more sources, but i do, very much believe, that it's something worth being concerned about.

 

[Nico]

note that there is a "clean diamonds/jewlers act". from what i read, de beers has issued a statement that they comply...

 

[Sketcher]

If you're going to be concerned about diamonds, you should be equally concerned about the clothes you buy. The majority of clothes that you buy are made in sweatshops overseas which might as well be slavery.

However, I don't concern myself for these reasons:

1) One little purchase is a drop in the bucket. Those in charge of the companies are filthy rich, and won't feel the damage from a few boycotts.
2) If they did, where do you think they'll be cutting costs? What they pay their labor. If you're smart enough to use people like that, you're smart enough to respond to boycotts without responding.
3) Hardly anything is even made in the USA anymore, so it's not like I have much of a choice.

What needs to happen is for the governments to crack down on the abuses that happen in their own countries. Or the people can rise up against those taking advantage of them. We honestly can't do much if anything where we live.

 

[Nico]

If you're going to be concerned about diamonds, you should be equally concerned about the clothes you buy. The majority of clothes that you buy are made in sweatshops overseas which might as well be slavery.

However, I don't concern myself for these reasons:

1) One little purchase is a drop in the bucket. Those in charge of the companies are filthy rich, and won't feel the damage from a few boycotts.
2) If they did, where do you think they'll be cutting costs? What they pay their labor. If you're smart enough to use people like that, you're smart enough to respond to boycotts without responding.
3) Hardly anything is even made in the USA anymore, so it's not like I have much of a choice.

What needs to happen is for the governments to crack down on the abuses that happen in their own countries. Or the people can rise up against those taking advantage of them. We honestly can't do much if anything where we live.

of course you can choose to remain apathetic, not even raising some sort of awareness. but, if you think about it, that's a rather ungodly way of approaching it. we are commanded to love our neighbors. even though the people of africa are on another continent, that does not mean that they are not your brothers and sisters in Christ. yes, it is quite overwhelming. but choosing the point of apathy is just as bad as killing them yourself. at least take a moment to think of a small way you could possibly make some sort of contribution. it may be a small drop in the bucket, but God sees it, and I think He at least cares.....

i agree, there are so many things to get concerned about, regarding the exploitation of people. but, if the greatest command by God is to love your neighbor, this most certainly is a part of that. i don't think it is entirely something that you can think of not being an issue that is pertinent in your life...

 

[Sketcher]

of course you can choose to remain apathetic, not even raising some sort of awareness. but, if you think about it, that's a rather ungodly way of approaching it. we are commanded to love our neighbors. even though the people of africa are on another continent, that does not mean that they are not your brothers and sisters in Christ. yes, it is quite overwhelming. but choosing the point of apathy is just as bad as killing them yourself. at least take a moment to think of a small way you could possibly make some sort of contribution. it may be a small drop in the bucket, but God sees it, and I think He at least cares.....

i agree, there are so many things to get concerned about, regarding the exploitation of people. but, if the greatest command by God is to love your neighbor, this most certainly is a part of that. i don't think it is entirely something that you can think of not being an issue that is pertinent in your life...

My contribution is to not contribute to a pay cut.