You may have seen the recent film with Leonardo DiCaprio as the grizzled ex-soldier smuggling diamonds out of war-torn Africa - though this may be Hollywood, many of the images and representations are deeply rooted in very tragic fact!
Certain countries in the world are awash with two things; diamonds and wars.
Good examples include Sierra Leone, The Congo and Angola where warring factions have been tearing the land and peoples apart with never ending armed conflict financed by the sale of diamonds. Human rights abuses and crimes against humanity have been in the news on many occasions and these barbaric acts have only added to the misery of millions which has been further worsened by collapsing infrastructure providing jobs, homes, food, education, medical services and the whole spectrum of civilized life we take for granted.
The sale of blood diamonds (also known as Conflict Diamonds) has also been linked with terrorist groups including Al Qaeda who use blood diamonds as part of their money laundering operations.
Millions have died as a direct result of war and strife financed largely by the sale of diamonds from these countries, hence the phrase, "Blood Diamonds" - these stones may be valued for their beauty and rarity but they really do come with a price paid in blood.
Do you want a blood diamond on the hand of the woman you love?
In order to reduce conflict and misery heaped upon millions of innocent people, President Bush signed into law a bill which enacted an international protocol known as the Kimberley Process and which has over forty other countries as signatories. The purpose of this legislation is to cut off the flow of financing from the introduction of blood diamonds into general circulation thereby cutting off the flow of funds from their sale which in turn reduces the ability to buy new arms and weapons of war.
The countries who have signed up to the Kimberley Process along with the diamond industry and civil agencies involved, account for 99.8% of all rough diamond production. The legislation requires all purchasers of diamonds must be made from manufacturers with the correct documentation which ensures the provenance of a stone from mining through the various channels and processes it is subjected to until it ends up on the hand of your loved one.
In this way, the diamonds that are used by your jeweler can be proven beyond any doubt to have originated from a source which will not then use the proceeds to buy arms or ferment civil war and tragedy. Given the high value of any diamond, there are many who seek to bypass the Kimberley Process and use conflict or blood diamonds because of the vastly enhanced profits to be made from innocent consumers - it is simple to insist on diamonds being used which are fully certified as meeting all the requirements of the Kimberley Process and you should avoid at all costs any retailer who uses blood diamonds.
Certain countries in the world are awash with two things; diamonds and wars. Good examples include Sierra Leone, The Congo and Angola where warring factions have been tearing the land and peoples apart with never ending armed conflict financed by the sale of diamonds. Human rights abuses and crimes against humanity have been in the news on many occasions and these barbaric acts have only added to the misery of millions which has been further worsened by collapsing infrastructure providing jobs, homes, food, education, medical services and the whole spectrum of civilized life we take for granted.
The sale of blood diamonds (also known as Conflict Diamonds) has also been linked with terrorist groups including Al Qaeda who use blood diamonds as part of their money laundering operations.
Millions have died as a direct result of war and strife financed largely by the sale of diamonds from these countries, hence the phrase, "Blood Diamonds" - these stones may be valued for their beauty and rarity but they really do come with a price paid in blood.
Do you want a blood diamond on the hand of the woman you love?
In order to reduce conflict and misery heaped upon millions of innocent people, President Bush signed into law a bill which enacted an international protocol known as the Kimberley Process and which has over forty other countries as signatories. The purpose of this legislation is to cut off the flow of financing from the introduction of blood diamonds into general circulation thereby cutting off the flow of funds from their sale which in turn reduces the ability to buy new arms and weapons of war.
The countries who have signed up to the Kimberley Process along with the diamond industry and civil agencies involved, account for 99.8% of all rough diamond production. The legislation requires all purchasers of diamonds must be made from manufacturers with the correct documentation which ensures the provenance of a stone from mining through the various channels and processes it is subjected to until it ends up on the hand of your loved one.
In this way, the diamonds that are used by your jeweler can be proven beyond any doubt to have originated from a source which will not then use the proceeds to buy arms or ferment civil war and tragedy. Given the high value of any diamond, there are many who seek to bypass the Kimberley Process and use conflict or blood diamonds because of the vastly enhanced profits to be made from innocent consumers - it is simple to insist on diamonds being used which are fully certified as meeting all the requirements of the Kimberley Process and you should avoid at all costs any retailer who uses blood diamonds.
By Lawrence Reaves, of DanforthDiamond.com your best source for wedding rings, diamond rings and high quality jewelry at 40% off of retail. Danforth Diamond has trained staff to assist you in choosing the right ring for your tastes and your budget.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Reaves
Blood Diamonds - Make Sure Your Loved One Does Not Have Blood on Her Hands
Labels: Blood on Her Hands
