Diamond Buying Guide

“Let the efforts of us all, prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.

Let a new age dawn!”

Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 1993

Diamonds continue to be in great demand, in particular for use as settings in engagement or wedding rings. The durability, beauty, and tradition of using diamonds to symbolize lasting and deep commitment make it the single most sought-after and valued stone. One of the longest-standing traditions in the Western world has been the use of diamonds in engagement and wedding rings. This continuing high demand, connected with the tremendous value of diamonds, and their origination, in many cases, from poverty-stricken regions of the world, has led to conflict.

Tragically, in certain cases, this conflict has resulted in terrible violence and suffering. Diamonds originating from terrorized and war-torn regions of Africa are referred to as “Blood Diamonds.” Many people in developed nations and around the world remain unaware of the horrors that sometimes lead to the very diamonds set in rings meant to symbolize a happy union. Politically aware Westerners, however, have recently begun to take strong measures to correct these injustices, refusing to buy “Blood Diamonds” and insisting on diamonds from peaceful regions.

Jewelers and suppliers of precious stones, with increasing frequency, certify their diamonds as “clean” or more commonly, “Conflict-Free.” What does this certification mean? How is such a certification obtained? And how has the Conflict-Free diamond trade had an impact?

“Conflict-Free” diamonds are stones the trade in which has not supported civil war, terrorism, or brutality against local populations. This designation arose in response to the turmoil surrounding the diamond trade, especially in Angola, Sierra Leone, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as other areas of South Africa. In these regions, the diamond trade was taken over by violent rebels and warlords. While using the funds from diamond mines guarded by paramilitary and mercenary troops, these guerilla forces have been known to terrorize local villages and mutilate miners and trespassers, including subjecting people to forced amputations.

In response to this abominable situation, several watchdog groups arose, and their combined efforts, including consciousness-raising in the West, and political and economic pressure, led South African countries with a legitimate trade in diamonds to implement a new system called the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). This system tracks every diamond from mine to supplier or jeweler, and each Conflict-Free diamond is authenticated as originating from a nonviolent source.

A recent survey conducted by Amnesty International showed that while consumer interest in Conflict-Free diamonds has risen, jewelry retailers have been somewhat slow to respond. Only 27% of the responding jewelers indicated they had a policy on Conflict-Free diamonds, and only 13% were willing to certify that their diamonds were “clean.”

However, the international movement to end the trade in Blood Diamonds has gained tremendous momentum. The United Nations, The European Commission, the World Diamond Organization (the main trade group in diamonds), and even giant diamond supplier, DeBeers, have agreed to trade only in KPCS-certified diamonds. These breakthroughs have largely resulted from grassroots, consumer pressure.

Consumer demand for Conflict-Free diamonds has soared. Although raw diamonds from regions of violence and war account for only 5% of the total global diamond production, consumers have spoken resoundingly, and the number of requests for Conflict-Free diamonds has increased by 1,500% in the past 6 years. Consumer interest in combination with several diamond embargoes, endorsed by the world diamond trade and the United Nations, have greatly reduced or curtailed the horrors of a diamond trade that was violent, terroristic, and utilized to support armed conflict.

The growing movement toward wedding ceremonies that reflect the strongly held values of the bride and groom is reflected in the Conflict-Free diamond effort. An increasing number of couples are choosing wedding ceremonies that are carefully crafted to embody their spiritual, social, and political values. Sometimes called the “green” wedding movement, this trend is marked by gift registries that include donations to favorite charities, organic or locally-grown catered food, personally written vows and new ways of designing the ceremony itself. Conflict-Free diamonds are yet another way to emphasize that the partnership of marriage is rooted in deeply held conviction. Wedding rings, a symbol of lasting commitment, need not support appalling violence and human rights abuses, thanks to the growing number of jewelers who offer Conflict-Free diamonds.

Peter Breslin is a musician, astrologer, Tarot reader, teacher and freelance writer for Artisanweddingrings.com and Celticjewelry.com living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has taught mathematics, music, writing, and literature in the course of a 20-year teaching career in Pennsylvania, New York, New Mexico, and California. Writings include a variety of pieces for publications online and otherwise. He is currently at work on a novel.

To Contact Reflective Images
http://www.artisanweddingrings.com

http://www.celticjewelry.com, or send an email to:
marek@celticjewelry.com

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“A diamond is forever” was the slogan that made diamonds the most sought after object in North America in the late 1920s, around the time when it was entering a depression and diamond prices were falling.

Advertising made the diamond trade soar by doing one thing essentially: suggesting to young American men that if it was really love they were after, then one month’s salary spent on a diamond was the best way to prove it. It worked.

The growing diamond empire suddenly boomed. The true knack of advertising laid in the fact that something with really no lasting value - a diamond - was suddenly being equated to something invaluable - romantic love.

The “a diamond is forever” slogan combined with aggressive advertising soon had 80% of American engagements being sanctified by diamond rings. Diamond corporations used motion pictures as another channel for altering the American consumer’s psyche. They got movie directors to incorporate scenes that romanticized diamonds. In addition, jewelers were invited to supply diamonds to eminent Hollywood stars for public appearances.

The movies supposedly created a metaphor out of diamond rings, or indeed diamonds in general, for female sexuality and power. Diamonds became so glamorized that everybody wanted them. It was more accessible to the common man than, say, a Bentley or a Rolls Royce and yet, it was something glitzy but nevertheless acquirable.

Advertising was also responsible for creating certain myths about diamond rings just so the demand for them would increase. “If it’s under a carat, don’t own it” was one. “Only a diamond will do” was another. “If it’s not a big diamond, then don’t marry him”; “When you propose, only a diamond ring will do”; and “A diamond ring is the best surprise for her” were yet others.

Some cultures have myths surrounding diamond rings. Advertising myths, however, are created just so the diamond business can be propped up. Ruthless advertising and marketing of diamond rings end up creating an artificial need for an article of such little value as a diamond ring, ultimately.

Diamond Rings provides detailed information on Diamond Rings, Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Wedding Rings, Diamond Anniversary Rings and more. Diamond Rings is affiliated with Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings.

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Diamond wedding ring sets are comprised of a pair of diamond-studded rings intended to symbolize a bond between man and woman through marriage. Typically, the woman’s ring is thinner, whereas the man’s is broader and thicker. Sometimes the engagement rings and wedding ring sets are one in the same, sometimes they are not.

When they are not, the engagement rings and wedding rings may be worn together or the first is replaced by the latter. Whatever arrangement is preferred, the bands of the diamond wedding ring set are usually, but not always, engraved inside with a short, simple saying, such as a promise, to personalize and seal the symbolic bond that the ring set represents. When wearing these rings, the bride and groom proclaim their love and devotion for one another.

Aside from the fine-cut diamonds, the bands of the diamond wedding ring sets are usually composed of a precious yellow gold alloy combined with copper, tin, or bismuth for firmness. Because silver and brass tend to stain the skin and corrode over time, stainless steel, which is more durable than gold and can easily be finished, is popularly used as well.

Diamond wedding ring sets are expensive, but deals, such as discounts, can be found all the time. Tiffany & Co., one of the leading jewelry makers specializing in diamond wedding ring sets, provides reasonable prices. Sometimes, as in the case of forming mounts and inserting diamonds on the bands, labor fees tend to hype the over cost, but the work is always precise and high-quality.

Diamond wedding ring sets serve as the ultimate eternal promise of love and fidelity between man and woman through Holy Matrimony and beyond. These diamond wedding ring sets are as valuable as they are intricately designed, and are thus made and purchased with extreme care due to their intended symbolism and purpose.

Marriage is a beautiful thing. Visit our site for beautiful suggestions on diamond ring wedding sets for you and your loved ones.

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