When it’s a diamond.
Last night, we watched Blood Diamond for the first time and it was shocking. After doing research about conflict diamonds when the movie came out in the theaters, I was excited to see this movie, and I have to say, that I was literally horrified when I saw the things I have read about conflict diamonds portrayed so realistically in the film. What makes the portrayal even more shocking, is that there are people in Africa are actually being killed, maimed, enslaved, and tortured all because of a little clear rock.
But why? Well, the De Beers diamond cartel has created a perception of rarity by controlling and manipulating the world’s supply of diamonds. The prospect of wealth from obtaining and selling these stones drives people to kill and maim (like the hand-less boy pictured here). These stones provide money to rebel organizations that go around doing this merciless killing, and all we have learned about diamonds, is to focus on the 5 C’s. That’s just awful. We’ve been duped, and people are paying for it with their lives.
It’s interesting that this continues, because diamonds are not precious or rare; they are actually found in abundance throughout Africa. But because of the control of those like the De Beers cartel, the value of an otherwise worthless stone fuels greed and destruction. It is a fact, that most of the diamonds that are mined and discovered go into vaults, so as to keep the supply of diamonds on the market very low. This makes the demand for diamonds high. High demand means they are worth more; and with that, owning a diamond has become a symbol of wealth.
The sad fact, is that these stones are used to pay for guns and ammo, which are used in rebel wars. In these wars, people chop off other people’s hands, kidnap their children and brainwash them, turning them into killing machines, and kill anyone that gets in their way. They enslave people to mine the diamonds for them, producing more and more wealth to fuel their wars. But why are these conflict diamonds being bought? Isn’t there a way to stop this? Well, thankfully, the UN and most of the African countries that have diamond supplies have made efforts to require authentication in order to sell diamonds. Unfortunately, the reality is that the conflict diamonds are smuggled out of the region, and their origin is faked in order to obtain “proper documentation”, thus “proving” that the diamonds are not conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds are supposed to be illegal, but they are still bought and sold every day.
Until there are no more conflict diamonds, many, many people will suffer and die. All for a stone. All for that coveted engagement ring. I never thought about it before, but now, I can’t help but wonder how many people actually died or were maimed every time I see a sparkle from someones diamond ring. Sure, they are pretty, but they are virtually worthless without the supply and demand that De Beers has created. Africa has been producing tons of diamonds over the years, and the cartels control them, so this problem goes on. I for one will be steering clear of diamonds, because I can’t bear to stomach the thought that a diamond that I bought cost someone their hands or their life. Something to think about, isn’t it?
Here is some more information to check out, if you want to learn more. The whole thing just makes me sick, really, that an insignificant stone can be so deadly. A guess a diamond really is forever… but so is death.
Also, sorry if you think the image is graphic, but it struck me, thought it was appropriate. It isn’t mine, it comes from the internets.
Look into how they can now make diamonds and the only way they know they are man made is because they are perfect. Other than that not even a jeweler can tell, scares the hell out of De Beers, who wants the govt to mark them with a laser saying they are fake.. But they aren’t fake, they are made the same way real diamonds are except in a lab and it only takes days instead of millions of years. Watch for a big battle to happen as these become more main stream
I hope your system saved the last comment about the new created diamonds.. your Captcha image doesn’t work in firefox ;(
if not, sorry not retyping it
Yeah, Richard, for whatever reason, it just puts it in moderation. Sorry about that. It only does it if you have never commented before. Should be fine from now on.
As for the man-made diamonds, I actually have looked into it, and I am very hopeful about the future. There are currently 2 major companies in the US that are making diamonds that are completely indistinguishable from natural diamonds, especially because they use the same process to make them; pressure. You are totally right, they aren’t fake at all. Squirm De Beers, squirm!
Also, there is moissanite, which when it came out, cause diamond buyers to up their game because it looks so much like natural diamond.
If these companies can crank out a ton of diamonds, diamonds that are not controlled by the De Beers cartel, their value and price will significantly drop, and stop a lot of this violence by default. Let’s hope that is soon!!
I have a friend who knows a ton about conflict diamonds and she gave me an education about it recently. (That sounds dirty, but it really wasn’t that kind of situation, people.) I find the whole thing fascinating and appalling, because I mean… it’s a rock. I’ve never understood people’s love for jewelry and stuff anyway, but this takes it to such a ridiculous height (or depth?). Then again, it’s just one example of the kind of thing that goes on all over the world, in a variety of industries.
Amber: totally. I just don’t get it; nothing is worth that much. Especially not a shiny little rock.
You can do your part and have yourself turned into a diamond when you die. http://www.lifegem.com/
I protested DeBeers last year…yeah…you know…sitting there in front of the store with signs. Having lived in South Africa and visited Botswana, Burundi, and other conflict zones, I find it even more appalling that African Nations around conflict area zones, do not step in and do something. Actually…its not appalling, its just a norm in most if not all of Africa.
On top of this, its the economic policies of Western powers that allow for this to happen. The trade policies of Europe and the United State create the market for which DeBeers thrives in.
As far as man made - remember when you had an Ipod when nobody else did and you were super special and felt just a tad high class….now…EVERYONE HAS ONE…..its not special anymore…the market is saturated….if man made diamonds became the norm…who would want one….rarity sales.