How Can You Avoid Buying A Conflict Diamond? - By: jacksmith

What defines a conflict diamond? Needless to say it has nothing to do with the actual stone, which is still a diamond, a thing of splendour and beauty, and you cannot tell from the cut, colour, clarity and carat of the diamonds in your engagement ring, diamond pendent or earrings if your diamonds are from a source of conflict. They will still sparkle and shine for literally millions of years to come.
What are Conflict Diamonds?
Also known as “blood diamonds”, these magnificent products of nature have been labelled as contraband because they have been ripped from the earth under atrocious conditions with absolutely no regard for the environment. They are extracted by using abominable mining methods like forced and child labour, and the miners are given almost no equipment, so they have been forced to dig with their bare hands.
When the stones are out of the ground, they illegally smuggled and traded to dealers and diamond cutters of dubious repute. As cut stones they are given a new life as a saleable commodity and the lucrative proceeds go towards financing the military activities of like warlords and rebels in such countries as Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe, Liberia, and now on the Ivory Coast in West Africa.
The trading of conflict diamonds is heavily associated with terrorism, human rights abuses of the worst sort, and unrestrained, irrevocable environmental damage. The mining of these diamonds came to the world’s attention in the late 1990s during the brutal fighting in Serra Leone, when it was estimated that these diamonds accounted for 4% of the world diamond trade, and funded the conflict.
A diamond really is forever, so if you will be wearing one or more for the rest of your life wouldn’t you want to know that nobody had to suffer or even die for you to have that glittering gem?
How Do You Know That The Diamond You Want To Buy Is Conflict-Free?
First and foremost ask your jeweller where the diamond you are considering comes from.
Your chosen diamond should have a Certificate of Origin which clearly states where and when it was mined and where it was cut and polished
Don’t fall for “bargains” when it comes to buying diamonds. Nature does not make bargain diamonds, only desperate men do.
Buy “brand” diamonds, like Kimberley Diamonds or other big name diamond mining areas in Canada or the US or South Africa.
The best proof of all that you have not purchased a conflict diamond is to receive a Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) certificate with your beautiful new diamond.
My Diamonds Fine Jewellers (Australia) http://www.MyDiamonds.com.au

About the Author

Find more related information on engagement ring and diamonds please visit at http://www.mydiamonds.com.au

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/jacksmith/49842

Additional Articles From - Home | Fashion | Jewelry