| What are blood diamonds? Blood diamonds, also | | | | not buy from suppliers who do not provide |
| called conflict diamonds, are mined in war torn | | | | guarantees. Ask about the store's policy on |
| African countries by rebels to fund their conflict. | | | | conflict diamonds as well. Buy only from those |
| The rebels grossly abuse human rights, often | | | | that have a clear firm policy. Asking questions and |
| murdering and enslaving the local populations to | | | | making them produce copies of guarantees will |
| mine the diamonds. The recent "Blood Diamonds" | | | | not only ensure that you buy conflict-free |
| movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has again | | | | diamonds but will also send them the message |
| brought this issue to light. The movie is set in | | | | that consumers are becoming aware of the |
| Sierra Leone during the 1900s during the civil war | | | | problem and would not buy from irresponsible |
| that lasted until 2002. As a consumer you might | | | | stores. |
| feel that you cannot directly make an impact | | | | If you cannot find a diamond retailer that provide |
| towards the resolution of this issue especially | | | | a guarantee, do not despair, there is an |
| since diamonds are rare commodities and thus is | | | | alternative. If you truly do not want to support |
| something you can just stop buying. After all, the | | | | the diamond industry and conflict diamonds, your |
| average person buys a diamond only once or | | | | alternative is cubic zirconia simulants. Cubic |
| twice in his lifetime. However, you can still make a | | | | zirconias are man made diamonds that are made |
| difference. | | | | to look and feel like natural diamonds. The likeness |
| When considering purchasing a diamond, | | | | is so great that only a jeweler, who is using a |
| remember that it is a once in a lifetime purchase | | | | professional diamond loop, can distinguish between |
| and you want to make sure that you buy a | | | | flawless diamond and cubic zirconia rings. Because |
| conflict free diamond. The Kimberly Process was | | | | cubic zirconia jewelry is the most affordable way |
| created so that the diamond industry is obliged to | | | | to get the look of an expensive diamond for a lot |
| write invoices of all diamond purchases that | | | | less money, they are extremely popular among |
| contain guarantees that the sold diamonds are | | | | those who are on a budget. When it comes to |
| conflict-free diamonds. Whereas before it was | | | | cubic zirconia jewelry, the stones themselves can |
| impossible to tell whether a diamond was | | | | be designed in round, oval, emerald, radiant, pear, |
| conflict-free, The warranties now identify | | | | heart and marquise cut. In many instances, they |
| conflict-free diamonds from questionable | | | | may also feature colored stones to further |
| diamonds. However, there are many diamond | | | | replicate some of the world's most rarest of |
| retailers that still do not issue warranties and | | | | diamond, including pink, yellow and red. Buying |
| therefore sell diamonds of questionable origins. | | | | cubic zirconia jewelry also ensures that you are |
| Make sure to shop around and ask questions | | | | not supporting the diamond retailers who are |
| regarding the store's policy against conflict | | | | supporting conflict diamonds. Cubic zirconia jewelry |
| diamonds. The first thing you can do is to not buy | | | | are a much better alternative to natural diamonds, |
| diamonds or diamond jewelry with no guarantees. | | | | a lot less expensive, and makes you feel good |
| The retailer, if abiding by the Kimberly Process, will | | | | about your purchase. |