I'm anxious to see this movie.
Blood Diamond
My parents went to Africa when I was a wee one and among the many things they returned home with were pictures from a visit to a diamond mine in South Africa. Piles and PILES of diamonds. All sparkly and beautiful.
Cut to many years later when I happened upon some article somewhere about conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. (Around the same time, I saw a PBS Frontline program about De Beers and how the diamond industry has fooled us into believing that diamonds are so precious that every woman should expect their fiance to spend two month's salary on the diamond. That's the rule of thumb they were selling.) I was already married and already wearing the diamond ring Gary gave me and one that my grandma left me, but it made me feel awful to think my wearing those pretty diamonds was somehow related to the horrible pictures I saw in that article of little kids (and adults) caught up in the insanity. I still wear the diamond rings but when I lost an earring more than a year ago I decided if I replace it, it will be with something fake, or maybe something completely different.
It doesn't feel right to wear them.
go with something used or that's an antique--it's a good way to still have a diamond, if you really want one, but it's already been purchased and is here, and there's not much you can do about the source. a lot of jewelers will also verify that the sources they buy from don't contribute to conflict or civil war--I'm assuming that's in a ramp-up to the diamond movie.
ReplyDeletebuying used is often a good way to go for a lot of things--diamonds, clothing, books... a great way to re-use, and not contribute to the buildup of amassed things we have just sitting around... (like I'm one to talk...)
Yeh I gave my girl an antique diamond as she was the same view inclined.
ReplyDeleteA lots of jewelers will be able to source old pieces.
Peter