Diamond Rings

[John the Engineer]

1) I don't care if ABC did a "study", CZ is easily spotted because it is a perfectly lab made diamond that has no imperfections like that of a real diamond. I know several jewelers who have commented on how they go to parties and can tell which diamonds are fake and real.

2) "blood diamonds" don't make their money from people like us buying the diamonds. They make their money all over the world by rich people who buy them in bulk. If every Christian, even the entire US, stopped buying diamonds, you think suddenly the rebels would just turn the kids loose and tell them "darn, didn't work out, go home kid", no, they'd turn the kid into some other type of forced labor, abusive condition, etc.

3) You HAVE to look at life and think realistically about how much you can do with market action. If everyone in the US stopped buying diamonds then the "lag time" to get back to the rebels would also kill a lot of businesses right here in the US. If you really care about human life, what about the lives right in your country? You want to put families on the unemployed list because the Dad or Mom makes their income selling diamonds? Rebels won't feel it for a long time, and by the time they do a lot of companies and people will be hurting right here in the US.

4) Ever heard of sensationalizing stories? I guess I won't get into it beyond that, but "blood diamonds" are not that common. At least not as common in the market as people like to make them out to be. Do they exist? Sure, can't argue that, but look at the "rebels" output compared to how many other places are producing diamonds and you'll see that it's not common. Heck, industrial grade diamonds can be purchased by the ton for quite cheap.

5) Australia is the world's largest diamond producer, and Australia, Russia, and Canada all have very large diamond mines production.

"In many parts of Africa, diamonds fuel brutal conflicts. In Botswana, they have been nothing but a salvation since they were discovered 33 years ago. The economy has soared."

"Every school and every road and every post office that you see in this country is paid for by diamond revenue,"

Diamonds also have given life.

People who really care about living conditions, life, and liberties need to be working to get their government to support PRO ACTIVE action to destroy the governments that create these conditions and allow them to thrive. I don't want to make this political, but just "stopping buying" something will not change it. Especially on such a small scale. Even with the US led boycott of Cuban cigars, Iraqi oil, etc, abuse and tyrannical leaders do not stop.

But hey, I guess if stopping diamonds makes you feel better, you can't beat the wonderful feeling. As for me, my Mom wears a diamond I bought her, and my wife will as well.

 

[LadyBird]

Do all diamonds come from Sierra Leone? Because apparently there are Canadian Diamonds...I'm not really sure what that means...but I want a Canadian diamond engagement ring.

I think it's fine to wear diamonds. I haven't got a conviction about wearing them. Cammie, if you have, I think it's fine that you don't want to wear your diamond ring. I guess that it's just personal preference.

I guess it just depends on where you get the diamond from too. There are no rebel terrorists in Canada...so I think that wearing Canadian diamonds are fine. You know when you are buying a Canadian diamond too because you get a certificate and a number and polar bear in the diamond...engraved or soemthing...I'm not 100% so don't hold me to it:o .

 

[Cordy]

"blood diamonds" don't make their money from people like us buying the diamonds.

Yes they do. We are part of the market. If we didn’t exist, neither would they.

If every Christian, even the entire US, stopped buying diamonds, you think suddenly the rebels would just turn the kids loose and tell them "darn, didn't work out, go home kid", no, they'd turn the kid into some other type of forced labor, abusive condition, etc.

Actually, it would have an impact, because Christians would be JOINING those who have already decided to do so. Most of my non-Christians friends do not purchase diamonds, because of social conscience.

And, I am not just talking to Christians in the US. If you didn't notice, I am not American, and there are many other people on this board in the same boat. I am appealing to everyone.

You HAVE to look at life and think realistically about how much you can do with market action. If everyone in the US stopped buying diamonds then the "lag time" to get back to the rebels would also kill a lot of businesses right here in the US. If you really care about human life, what about the lives right in your country? You want to put families on the unemployed list because the Dad or Mom makes their income selling diamonds? Rebels won't feel it for a long time, and by the time they do a lot of companies and people will be hurting right here in the US.

Who do you think it would hurt? How many people buy their diamonds and mom and pop stores? I think the group that would get hit is the corporations with millionaire CEOs. I can’t believe you are actually asking me to compare bad business (a break in mass consumption) with people being killed and mutilated! I can’t help but wonder if terrorists came to your town and started killing and mutilating your kids if you still value good business over life.

If businesses felt the pressure, they would take action in order to please the people. The masses CAN make a difference.

People who really care about living conditions, life, and liberties need to be working to get their government to support PRO ACTIVE action to destroy the governments that create these conditions and allow them to thrive.

From what I have learnd, the Sierra Leone government didn’t create this environment, rebel terrorists did. The government is trying so hard to stop it, but they can’t. The terrorists have too much power – and they have money…guess where from – our pockets.

 

[John the Engineer]

Where do you buy your diamonds? Millionaire CEO's, now I know exactly what type of person it is that is saying this. You think that it's big businesses that will just "roll with it" and nobody else is involved. How about the small companies in Australia which make their money selling diamonds to the US? Millionaire CEO's like a good friend of the family who makes enough money to keep he and his wife happy? I guess he'd just sit back on the millions that he doesn't have.

Government's fighting hard to stop it? Like if the government called on the aid of the US to stop terrorists, especially in today's politically charged anti-terrorism environment, no aid would come? No, the governments are not trying hard to stop it, they're trying hard to keep face in the world view. It's not like you can up and move a diamond mining operation, they're stuck exactly where they are. We know where they are, they know where they are. The governments of these countries allow it, and the world sits by and watches it. Canada watches it. So why not talk to your government instead of destroying parts of Canada's economy, Australia's economy, Russia's economy, and so forth?

You ready for everyone that works at that Canadian diamond mine to be unemployed? They can all go do something else because someone over in Africa killed a kid in a diamond mine? You ready to ban everything else? Shoes for example, most of which are made in sweat shops that abuse and oppress thousands upon thousands of workers overseas? How about cheap clothes?

Do I say that it's right what they're doing? No, not in the slightest. But there are ways to put that to an end. Tell your government, as I have told mine, that taking action against these injustices is something I support.

But you still didn't answer my question, do you seriously believe that if diamond market disappears, these rebels/terrorists/whatever will just turn around and let the kids go? The answer is no, these people are tyrants who will use these children to whatever ends they wish for whatever profit or gain unless someone steps in and ends it. These people are not hiding, they are sitting on top of a very limited supply of very expensive material (diamonds) that are only found in VERY rare places. Why do you think it is that diamond mines are so few in the world? It's not hard to figure out where they are, and I'll give you a further hint, it's not hard to stop them. But it won't come by the free market system refusing to buy the product, they'll just turn their hand to making something else for you to make money with their free labor.

 

[Cordy]

John the Engineer,
Either you are not reading, or you are ignoring my responses.

Where do you buy your diamonds? .

I answered your question already. You can find in a previous post.

Millionaire CEO's, now I know exactly what type of person it is that is saying this. You think that it's big businesses that will just "roll with it" and nobody else is involved. How about the small companies in Australia which make their money selling diamonds to the US?

Again, already addressed. I said that businesses have would be forced to adjust, and that means that they would have take action in their field to please the consumers.

Government's fighting hard to stop it? Like if the government called on the aid of the US to stop terrorists, especially in today's politically charged anti-terrorism environment, no aid would come?

You may not get a glimpse of this in the U.S., but a good portion of the world doesn’t think that the U.S. knows how to handle terrorism. Many people don’t consider this kind of stuff aid.

You ready for everyone that works at that Canadian diamond mine to be unemployed?

Already addressed. And you accuse others of sensational stories? Please… business will adapt to the market

They can all go do something else because someone over in Africa killed a kid in a diamond mine?

One kid huh? A whole country in ruins over one kid? This is a murderous cartel. Ask yourself if you would speak the same way if this was going on in your community.

You ready to ban everything else? Shoes for example, most of which are made in sweat shops that abuse and oppress thousands upon thousands of workers overseas? How about cheap clothes?

Again *sigh*… I already answered this.

Do I say that it's right what they're doing? No, not in the slightest. But there are ways to put that to an end. Tell your government, as I have told mine, that taking action against these injustices is something I support.

Economics often govern a whole lot more than politicians. If you want to make a difference, you can do it with where you put your money. Why do you think there are so many global corporations and the sweat shops? We feed them with our pockets.

But you still didn't answer my question, do you seriously believe that if diamond market disappears, these rebels/terrorists/whatever will just turn around and let the kids go?

Again, you CAN find my answer in previous posts.

 

[John the Engineer]

Even if I concede EVERY point you make, you're still missing one big thing that you will NEVER escape, these people will NOT be letting these kids go because the market dries up. They will continue to use and abuse them until someone steps in. And the government is not trying to stop them in any way shape or form, like I said before.

I wish I could be as naive as you to believe that evil people stop when you don't give them money.