Conflict-Free-Diamonds
Morally Responsible Jewelry Choices
Conflict-free-diamonds are chosen over the blood-diamond for more socially and morally responsible engagement ring shopping and eco-friendly jewelry.
When planning an eco-friendly wedding, this is the type of purchase you may not have realized had any type of significance. It is most often overlooked, but most important.
This may also be the perfect time to consider asking family for that treasured heirloom ring that will be handed down eventually.
If that option isn't available, you can also consider buying your wedding rings "used" from an estate sale, or a vintage shop that handles used jewelry.
If brand new rings are your preference, read on about conflict-free-diamonds if you haven't heard of this term.
What could be so immoral about buying a diamond ring?
A little history and education...
Conflict-diamonds refer to diamonds that are illegally traded to finance civil unrest in any country.
This means the buying and selling of illegal arms to perhaps aid in the overthrowing of seated governments. The term blood-diamond means the same thing.
The means in which diamond mining is carried out to obtain these precious gems also refers to these terms as well.
Diamonds can also be obtained as a result of abusive child labor exploitation, poor wages, unsafe conditions and unfair wages as well to adult workers.
Quite ironic, isn't it?
An Act created in 2003 was introduced to encourage governments to oversee and monitor the sale of diamonds from reputable resources only.
The name given to this Act is called the Process Certification Scheme.
The history of diamonds goes back to what seems forever, but it has taken this long to invoke a process that governs fair trade certification, where the buyers of the diamonds pay fair prices for their goods.
It is important that these gems are mined in a responsible manner and sold in a responsible manner, and that the proceeds go back to the "country" in a positive way in terms of financing schools, infrastructure, employment, and things of that nature for the good of their citizens as a whole.
Since conflict-diamonds have been the cause of funded civil wars, human rights abuse, and environmental destruction, it seems only right.
Did you know that gold mining practices can be destructive too in much the same ways?
By using recycled materials only, the need for newly mined resources are reduced, and the recycled material becomes a "renewable resource."
This is why everyone should dig out jewelry they no longer need or want to wear, and hand it down, or have it recycled into something someone else could purchase.
You may want to consider designing your own rings by making over old rings if you have them. Talk to your jeweller about this, because many people do it, and that certainly constitutes an eco-friendly piece of jewelry.
Be sure to speak to your jeweller, and don't be afraid to inquire about where they get their diamonds.
Make it clear you are interested in purchasing conflict-free-diamonds only as you shop for your engagement ring or wedding bands or both.
Many companies today more and more are dedicated to ensuring that the gems they sell are mined in a socially responsible manner, and deemed conflict-free-diamonds.
They won't support diamonds produced in illegal and inhumane ways. This way they can take pride that their jewelry comes from reputable sources, and please their customers of course, as more people demand it. They want to make an ethical-jewelry choice when looking to buy or sell.
By also using only recycled precious metals, they can guarantee a product truly considered as eco-friendly jewelry.
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