Diamond Rings

[Cordy]

Hi there,
After reading around a bit throughout the forum, I thought there was a need to talk about this. I thought this would be most applicable for this board.

Getting engaged (or close to it) can be a wonderful experience. I would just like to encourage those people out to think before purchasing a ring.

Our culture is often very set on women having a diamond on her left to demonstrate her promise or commitment. Unfortunately, such a symbol of love is costing the lives of many children and families in Sierra Leone. There is some huge terrorism going on in this area over the diamonds. The trade has coined the phrase “blood diamonds”. Terrorists have taken over mines and are shooting children who don’t mine fast enough. The violence taking place over the diamond trade is brutally horrific. The whole network down there is centered around death and killing. The diamonds are then smuggled out and brought to us in pretty jewellery settings for us to purchase.

By purchasing diamonds, you are supporting rebel who are killing and ruining an entire nation.

If you are thinking of getting engaged soon (or can sense that your loved one is going to soon ask), I highly suggest getting a different stone. If you do get a diamond, ensure that it is traceable to a “clean” mine (there are a few in Canada) – but you have to REALLY look into it, and have certified proof of its origin. Although it is sentimental, jewellery should not cost people lives. Please don't support these horrors.

 

[IslandBreeze]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this post!!!! I started out with a diamond engagement ring, and after hearing about the horrors of the diamond cartels, I became convicted to not wear diamonds anymore. My husband got me a gorgeous CZ ring for Valentine's Day--and it's prettier than ANY diamond I've ever seen (not to mention 1/10th the cost). CZs are just as strong as diamonds--you can wear them daily, and unless you are a professional jeweler, nobody can tell the difference. Plus, you can get your girl a much bigger stone for a much less price!

We got my ring (and will get future rings) from www.czjewelry.com

 

[Pope Gonzo]

Actually, CZs are much, much different from diamonds. I'm a good three years out of any physics class, but I'll do my best on this explanation. What gives a diamond its shimmer is the fact that its the most dense substance in the world, meaning it refracts light at a greater angle than any other clear or opaque object. How does that make a diamond shimmer? I'm glad you asked. If light comes in at too sharp of an angle, you don't see through the diamond, rather you see a reflection, not a refraction. Because of its density, a diamond with a lot of facets will reflect light a countless amount of times before it escapes into your eye, causing the look of total brilliance. If you had them next to each other, I would guess that 7 out of 10 laymen(meaning non-jewelers, myself included) would tell the difference between a diamond and a CZ.

As for diamonds and price, my girlfriend doesn't want a big stone(5/8 carat... the ring won't cost me more than $1500). But I will definitely look into the origins of the diamond I get her.

 

[Katty]

:o Is the sapphire okay....?

~Katty~

 

[John the Engineer]

Ahhh, the sensationalized stories you find today. Just curious where you did your research? Just curious, cause I always love hearing where these stories come from. Did you know there are places in the world where they don't mine for diamonds they literally pick it up off the ground? And yes, that's in Africa by the way.

I got my mom an antique diamond ring, probably mined by slaves. But hey, a lot of things in this world have ties to slaves and atrocities. Does that mean we shouldn't buy any historical houses on the east coast? Cause most of them were built by African slaves as well.

Don't get me wrong, I don't support it or say it's right, but just because you ask for a certification doesn't assure you it. In fact it's more often faked at most locations, so it really doesn't matter. "blood diamonds" are not just thrown on the market, they are smuggled in and hidden with fake certificates that are tough to trace.

But as a final note, Australia has a LOT of diamond sellers that are very legal.

 

[DaveKerwin]

Do you grant the same level of investigation on all the products you use and buy? Do you have any idea who made the clothes you wear? How about your shoes? You may be surprized by what you found out. You would never be able to leave the house because you would be naked.

I bought a diamond because diamonds are really cool. This stone could be 100 years old and I would not know it, because it does not change. It was EGL certified, and thats all the history it has, previous owner or origin are not named.

Cammie, did you sell your diamond or keep it?

 

[markmayer23]

here in our nation, getting engaged doesn't need diamond rings just to prove commitment and love for each couple... we're used in silver and gold rings...

 

[Cordy]

Just curious where you did your research?

Besides the university lectures and academic research, I have also viewed some good documentaries on the issue.

Does that mean we shouldn't buy any historical houses on the east coast? Cause most of them were built by African slaves as well.

There is an obvious difference. Purchasing items that caused slavery in the past, but not at all today doesn’t harm anyone. There is no ethical issue of human rights here. Killing children today in order to get a pretty stone on a ring is quite another story. You are taking part in a serious monstrosity – that is taking place now!

...but just because you ask for a certification doesn't assure you it.

I agree. That is why I stated a diamonds should be avoided. Since I am close to mines in Canada, I can personally ensure where my diamonds come from. But if you can’t, I would encourage people to seek other symbols of love.

 

[Cordy]

Do you grant the same level of investigation on all the products you use and buy? Do you have any idea who made the clothes you wear? How about your shoes?

Yes I do, actually. If people actually try to be careful with what they purchase, you can avoid supporting these kind of labour networks on most levels

If Christians had a little more compassion and love for the entire human race, people might start believing what we say.

 

[Cordy]

:o Is the sapphire okay....?

Hey Katty,
I honestly don't know much about sapphires. I would just look into the market before you purchase. I think researching anything we get involved with is a good idea.

 

[IslandBreeze]

Actually, CZs are much, much different from diamonds.

I've done my research. There are differences, but they aren't "much, much" different.

How does that make a diamond shimmer? I'm glad you asked.

I didn't.

Because of its density, a diamond with a lot of facets will reflect light a countless amount of times before it escapes into your eye, causing the look of total brilliance. If you had them next to each other, I would guess that 7 out of 10 laymen(meaning non-jewelers, myself included) would tell the difference between a diamond and a CZ.

You obviously are unfamiliar with CZs. Because of the inclusions (or defauts) in diamonds, some CZs are actually more brilliant than diamonds. And ABC did a study comparing CZs to diamonds. 9 out of 10 people (including jewelers) couldn't tell a difference with the naked eye.

As for diamonds and price, my girlfriend doesn't want a big stone(5/8 carat... the ring won't cost me more than $1500). But I will definitely look into the origins of the diamond I get her.

The ring my husband just bought me was $100.00. It's set in solid 14K gold, just like a real ring, and the center stone is a full carat.

 

[IslandBreeze]

Cammie, did you sell your diamond or keep it?

I still have it. It's already paid for, so I don't feel like a hypocrite (if that's what you're implying) by storing it in a jewelry box.

 

[DaveKerwin]

Yes I do, actually. If people actually try to be careful with what they purchase, you can avoid supporting these kind of labour networks on most levels

If Christians had a little more compassion and love for the entire human race, people might start believing what we say.

where were your shoes made? Under what exact conditions were they manufactured? What did the workers get paid? What are the safety standards in that particular factory?

 

[DaveKerwin]

I still have it. It's already paid for, so I don't feel like a hypocrite (if that's what you're implying) by storing it in a jewelry box.

I am saying that if you sell it, you are a hypocrite.
So you will have to take it to the grave I guess?
Why not give it a viking funeral and toss it over a bridge?

 

[Rols]

On the diamond issue, Mbams, I work on conflict resolution in West Africa, particularly on armed conflict fuelled by the diamond trade in Liberia and Sierra Leone, it's part of my current job, and there is an international diamond certification scheme for rough diamonds, called the Kimberely process in case you are not aware, the key is to demand a certified diamond, so as to be sure the diamond is not a conflict diamond. Even if it comes with a certificate, this is still no guarantee, since people will always find ways round any legal system or regulatory framework.

So expect you completely steer clear of diamonds, you'll never really know for sure where the diamond is from. The only way to truly know (particularly from countries such as Sierra Leone), is to be at the mines where the diamonds are found, so you know who and what is minning them. A greedy rebel warlord, or a legitimate miner.

The certification process itself is flawed. Even the governments of countries that have legitimate diamond minning rights, sometimes use the revenue generated from rough diamond sales for corrupt practices and not for the country's economic development, and these same diamonds go on to be certified on the international market. Too often we are satisfied to buy them as long as they come with a certificate, so we know we don't have blood on our hands, and too often we are wrong.


Dave Kerwin has an extremely important point to make. I was having a discussion with my flatmate who dosen't buy certain brands of soap etc because of something the company has done, exploitation in another country, cheap labour, timber from the Amazon, the list goes on, The question is look around your house, your room your kitchen etc.. our homes would be stripped completely bare if we traced everything back to its origin.

We don't have control of every situation, this would be wishful thinking, while as Christians, too often we fall into the trap of self-righteousness by omissions, rather than actively seeking to do good.

The list of what not to buy, wear ot eat can go on forever. My advise really would be this, if you have doubts doing it then DON'T. But do remember that there is always one more product, drink, food, clothing item that has been produced because someone somehere is being exploited for it.

 

[IslandBreeze]

Dave,

I have already said I was convicted about the diamond that I had. It's a personal choice for me. I'm not convicted about any other matter, so the other things you mentioned don't concern me personally. I personally feel convicted not to purchase diamonds because of the murderous diamond cartels.

 

[Katty]

I've always been a little wary about this issue because some people would argue the point that if the only source of income for these people come from these types of working conditions, what happens when you stop their flow of "payment"? I'm not trying to seem cold hearted, but it takes more than one "Christian self righteous" act of giving up this and that to change these working conditions. True that at least their lack of well-being doesn't land on you, but it definetely takes more than just the good intention of giving up a certain product to change these situations. If these products that are being produced are all of a sudden "un-demanded", the people who depend on their less than minimum wage are forced to go elsewhere to produce some sort of income or even to be unable to produce that income at all. I am in no way saying that we need to keep placing these people in the position that they are, but I guess I'm trying to say that even as good as your intentions may be with stopping the purchase or "support" of this product/country/leader etc, whatever, it takes more than that to change the situation.

~Katty~

 

[DaveKerwin]

Dave,

I have already said I was convicted about the diamond that I had. It's a personal choice for me. I'm not convicted about any other matter, so the other things you mentioned don't concern me personally. I personally feel convicted not to purchase diamonds because of the murderous diamond cartels.

Stand behind your conviction. But realize that most other industries are not that much different. Walmart has low low prices for a reason. I will think twice about buying diamonds next time, we will see.

 

[Cordy]

The thing is, all those who justify buying diamonds because "everything" is supposedly oppressive labour, is you need to think about it. If you really can't find an ethical piece of clothing to put on your back, you’re going to have to buy something. But diamonds are not necessary, they just to look pretty, and they are costing people lives.

Rols, I mentioned that you should not purchase a diamond unless you can ensure it is not from these places. I understand that the certification process if often flawed, but if you have personally ensured that you have an ethical diamond, I still think it is good to have the certification as well. I didn’t want a diamond for these reasons, but my husband is connected to a Canadian mine, and ensured that it was from there.

I know there are networks of bad labour all over the place, but I as I previously mentioned, if you do care you can avoid many of them. And avoiding “blood diamonds” is certainly something people can do.

 

[LifeInYou]

Thank you mbams for your post! We are all responsible for as much as we know, and it is true that this is happening over there, I've read and studied about it as well. One person refusing to buy a diamond made from that region may not seem like it's helping much but that's why informing people will help, so more people can make educated decisions and perhaps we all can at least put a dent in this sick and twisted business over there.