The Problems with African Diamonds
If you’re looking to buy an engagement ring then a sparkling new diamond from CANADA, that’s right, CANADA, just might be the diamond for you. Canadian diamonds are relatively new in the jewelry world, but the industry is beginning to pack a punch. Here’s their story (and some notes on the biggest reason they’re blowing up, because of conflict-zone diamonds mined in sub saharan Africa and other war torn zones around the world.
The Internationally Acclaimed Blood Diamond caused an international when it was produced in the 21st century, causing girls around the world to ask if their diamond, was actually‘conflict-free.’ According to rules set by the United Nations to be confict free diamonds do not come from an area involved in conflict by factions that are fighting against internationally recognized political powers. Diamonds from conflict areas sell to international jewelry corporations often provide the required funds needed for the militant groups to battle the government. Blood Diamond expresses how this scenario is truly hurting the people of the country.
Luckily for you as a savvy consumer, diamonds also are found in other regions of the Earth. If you or your wife is particularly concerned about purchasing a stone from or near a dangerous zone (remember that other parts of Africa were previously conflict-zones) in this part of the world, than one of these safe regions may be for you.
The most popular, and newest conflict-free diamond producing region is just above of the US (where many of diamonds are purchased in the world) in Canada. In the 1990’s in the Northwest part of the country, diamond businesses were opened, under humane conditions, and diamond producers have been mining for diamonds in those areas ever since.
Stones from Canada besides just being guaranteed conflict free and mined in humane conditions, have a number of other highly sought after traits.
These include: strong clarity grades in the 4cs, high sparkle, and color better than a J on the scale. Most US jewelry boutiques are also now offering these diamonds as a way to display to buyers that what they sell is certifiable conflict-free. Due to high desire, stones like these are almost always a lot more pricey than stones that come from other parts of the world. This is also due to the fact that there are simply not as many diamond mines in our northern neighbor, and that offering employees humane conditions {to work in|to do their job|to mine for diamonds| costs more money to the corporation. That expense, in some ways, is billed to the consumer.
If you’re the type of individual who is wanting to spend a little more for a product manufactured by people in better working conditions, than a diamond certified Canadian might just be the choice for you.
