Fortunately, over the previous few years, battle free engagement rings and battle free diamonds have lastly grow to be a speaking level. The issue is that most individuals nonetheless don’t even know what conflict-free means.
Diamonds are a robust commodity in areas beset with battle. These diamonds go immediately in the direction of funding the unlawful actions of those warlords. Shopping for “blood diamonds” primarily makes you’re a associate within the killing of human life. Use our suggestions beneath to make sure that you are taking no half in these horrible practices.
On the backside of this text, we’ve additionally offered examples of conflict-free engagement rings.
What Is A Battle Diamond?
Based on the UN, the definition of battle, or blood diamonds is that this:
“Diamonds that originate from areas managed by forces or factions against legit and internationally acknowledged governments, and are used to fund army motion in opposition to these governments, or in contravention of the choices of the Safety Council.”
United Nations
It isn’t simply rebels who commerce in blood diamonds. Armies of a number of states are additionally concerned within the commerce. With no credit score traces obtainable from the world’s banks, they flip to diamonds to fund their very own military.
It’s normally tough diamonds which can be traded, as these are a lot tougher to hint earlier than they hit {the marketplace}. Males, girls, and kids alike are pressured to work in appalling situations to extract the diamonds. Dying charges amongst staff in unlawful mines are very excessive.
The Kimberley Course of was launched within the early twenty first century in a bid to try to regulate the sources of diamonds traded on the open market. Some argue that the Kimberley course of isn’t environment friendly as battle diamonds are nonetheless purchased and offered.
The actual fact is, although, that any respected jeweler will solely buy and promote moral battle free diamond engagement rings.
The right way to Guarantee An Moral Buy
Provenance – the documented historical past of any merchandise – is important to defending this blight on the diamond commerce. With out the precise documentation, any supplier ought to refuse to think about shopping for the diamond supplied. Equally, until a supplier can present the documentation, the patron ought to stroll away.
There are exceptions, nevertheless. With classic and vintage diamonds, provenance might be tough to ascertain. The age of the diamond, if identified, is an affordable method of verifying that it’s not a blood diamond. Examples of moral diamonds could be any real previous mine or previous European cuts. To discover ways to uncover the age of a diamond, click on right here.
The reality is, although, that the trade is closely reliant on belief. Belief in whoever is promoting the tough diamond, the polished diamond, and/or the completed jewellery piece. A certificates from the GIA or different acknowledged grading authority will assist, nevertheless it isn’t foolproof. Some enterprising sellers in blood diamonds have ingenious methods of avoiding detection, and these stones do typically make it to the overall market.
In case you get an in poor health feeling concerning the vendor promoting you the diamond, don’t purchase it. You is likely to be flawed, after all, however higher that than shopping for a diamond with a questionable historical past.
Ideas for Shopping for Moral Diamonds
There are, after all, a number of international locations producing moral diamonds. Australia, Canada, Russia, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana are a few of these international locations.
Namibia and Botswana do typically undergo. Smugglers carry diamonds throughout the borders after which promote them to worldwide patrons. African international locations which undergo from inner wars normally have very insecure borders. The Governments of Namibia and Botswana attempt to cease their diamonds from leaving their borders illegally, however they aren’t all the time profitable.
All the time keep away from diamonds from Zimbabwe, Angola, and Ivory Coast. Equally, avoid any supplier who buys and sells such diamonds. It’s extremely widespread diamonds from these international locations are blood diamonds.
Despite the worldwide communities efforts, blood diamonds nonetheless make their method into the market. The reality is that blood diamonds don’t simply come from lively battle zones. Additionally they come from “good international locations” that haven’t but cracked down on the horrid working situations of their miners. Sadly, the Kimberley Course of will nonetheless describe such a diamond as “conflict-free”.
The Kimberly Course of is extra involved concerning the “large image” and doesn’t contain itself within the “smaller particulars” of what makes a diamond moral.
We consider {that a} diamond is moral provided that it follows all the next standards:
- The diamond can’t come from a war-torn nation (and should comply with the Kimberly Course of)
- The diamond can’t help the funding of wars or bloodshed
- No coerced kids might be concerned within the mining course of or jewellery work
- The working situations of the mines must be secure and first rate
It’s for the above causes that our firm obtained concerned in classic diamond jewellery. We love diamonds, however we refuse to contribute to a defective system.
Are Unethical Diamonds Cheaper?
This is a wonderful query. You may count on diamonds because of battle to be cheaper, slightly like shopping for a stolen TV in a bar. Nevertheless, unscrupulous sellers know that promoting diamonds beneath market charges is a large crimson flag. To keep away from suspicion, they promote as near market value as attainable, whereas sustaining a aggressive benefit.
Moral diamonds don’t value extra simply because they’re moral. Diamond costs are what they’re, and can be dependant on the standard of the stone.
In case you do, nevertheless, obtain a reduced diamond that’s far beneath the going charge, please take a step again and examine. Diamonds have a market worth. Any value that’s too low is immediately suspicious.
Moral Benefit of Classic Rings
Classic diamonds which can be older than 50 years of age (pre-Nineteen Seventies) are all the time battle free.
As we’ve mentioned, if you’re vintage rings (or trendy rings with an vintage diamond), the age ought to point out that the diamond is conflict-free. A little bit extra care is required for the more moderen classic diamond rings. The interval could overlap with one of many many conflicts in diamond-producing areas within the final century.
You possibly can solely accomplish that a lot earlier than you’re reliant on the supplier performing responsibly. Most do, after all, however not all. The worth distinction, as talked about, can be minimal, so do put some effort into shopping for an moral engagement ring.
Right here’s extra info to study the benefits of classic rings over trendy rings:
Battle Free Sapphires
Sapphires are normally higher at being tracked for points than diamonds, however there are nonetheless additionally issues relating to them. Basically, like with diamonds, one of the simplest ways to keep away from points, can be to purchase your sapphire from a good supplier or vendor.
Vintage sapphire (older than 100 years previous) is normally one of the simplest ways to make sure that there are not any points regarding battle or ethics. Kashmir sapphires, for instance, had been all mined over 100 years in the past. If a certificates says that your sapphire is from Kashmir, you might be sure that your buy won’t additional contribute to the funding of wars or violence.
Examples of Battle Free Engagement Rings
We, at Property Diamond Jewellery, pleasure ourselves on our uncommon assortment of moral engagement rings. Free free to browse the examples beneath and in addition navigate right here to view our whole choice.
In case you have any questions, be at liberty to succeed in out to our diamond specialists.
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