Diamonds!

Last night I watched Blood Diamonds with Leo Decraprio. The first time I had heard of conflict diamonds was when Kanye was rapping about them, but I still didn't quite understand. Blood Diamonds have mostly come from Sierra Leone and were mined to fund the rebel group. Before we started the movie Ben has warned me that once I watched it I would never want to buy a diamond again. Of course my reply was - "YEAH RIGHT. I love Diamonds." Halfway through the movie I asked Ben to turn it off because I was so disturbed by what I saw. I never ever wanted to buy another diamond again. What does this mean for my Tiffany Ring that I want so badly? Isn't it absolutely gorgeous!!!

So this morning I've been researching Blood Diamonds and came across a website that explains everything and what has and is being done to stop conflict diamonds from entering our diamond marketplace. The website is www.diamondfacts.org.

Here is some info:

Most people are unaware of the role diamonds play in bringing real benefits to people in the countries around the world where diamonds are sourced. Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa. It is also in Africa that this same resource has been used to fund conflict. In 2000, a coalition of governments, non-governmental organizations and the diamond industry worked together to address this issue. In 2002, they established the Kimberley Process Certification System, a UN-backed process that has virtually eliminated the trade in conflict diamonds. Today, over 99% of the world's supply of diamonds is from sources free of conflict. Diamondfacts.org is dedicated to presenting the facts about conflict diamonds, along with how diamonds are driving economic growth and prosperity in countries around the world.
Fact #1:
An estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from diamonds.

Fact #2:
Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13.

Fact #3:
An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry.

Fact #14:
The charity Jewelers for Children funds a community based care program for orphaned children in South Africa.

Fact #4:
The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Namibia's annual export earnings.
Fact #11:
The Diamond Development Initiative was established to improve the working conditions of artisanal miners.
Fact #8:
Approximately one million people are employed by the diamond industry in India.
Fact #9:
Approximately $8.4 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries.
Fact #12:
The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Fact #15:
An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come from African countries.

There was a lot of info to read. The new Kimberly Process Certification makes me feel better about where my diamonds come from. Maybe it's ok to buy that ring from Tiffany's now... If not, I have found some other choices: