Diamonds
We, as a culture have been brainwashed to believe that diamonds are rare. The diamond, a symbol of ultimate strength and beauty, is anything but rare, however the strangle hold that De Beers Consolidated Mines Company holds over the industry is far reaching. Their brainwashing ability has been a success.
DeBeers controls the market on two thirds of the world’s diamonds. This gives them ultimate control over the supply and the price for this gem. Their mining concerns in Africa are wrought with environmental concerns and immoral labor practices. Investing only a fraction of their massive profits would remedy most of the issues, but greed rules supreme.
DeBeers does what ever it can to crush competition. As civilized citizens we should do what we can to crush DeBeers. Don’t buy diamonds, but if you must for industrial purposes, please do your homework and buy them for diamond companies with no ties to DeBeers.
Yes, there are diamond mines in the US and Canada. A little internet research will yield contact information where you can find if any particular company has dealings with DeBeers.
Remember, a diamond is a piece of coal that did well under pressure. You have the option to buy synthetic diamonds or another gem stone of equal beauty and greater relational value. So please do so.
posted by The Guy Who Writes This at 5:46 AM
6 Comments:
Diamonds are ok, but the fake stuff looks as good. I would rather spend my hard earned money on a vacation, food, college, mortgage anything but expensive jewelry.
Right on!
We are inundated around here with radio commercials of these irritating jewelry stores that go "straight to the source". Every time I hear them I think about many of the points you have brought up here. I don't own any diamonds and quite frankly don't care if I ever do. I would prefer that my (eventual) wedding band not be a token of greedy and inhuman practices.
Great post, thanks.
Exactly one of the reasons I listen to public radio. We have these conservative brothers here who run really annoying sexist jewelry ads here. It's always a better day when you can block out or avoid as many pitches as possible.
I'm in my early 20's, looking to get married in the next ten years. Honestly, if my "future man" buys me a diamond engagement ring, I will be a bit disappointed. Diamonds are not rare. But emeralds or even some Oregon sunstone would be really cool. As a geo-geek, an actual "rock" or mineral might be neat... I'd rather have a non-diamond that means something than a diamond someone died trying to carve from a mountain.
The best wedding ring I've ever heard about was from my history teacher in high school. He actually learned silversmithing to create and forge matching ring bands for his wife and himself. No stones at all, just handmade "from the heart" jewelry. :)
Spread the word, Jaggy. My brother did a cool thing as well for his first bride. He got two silver half dollar pieces and hammered the edges evenlyuntil it was flattened and correctly sized. Then he cut out the center where the fingers went through. You could still see some of the features of the coin. The best thing was that together both rings cost him $1, and the rest was made with love...that was until the nasty divorce.
Post a Comment
<< Home