DIAMONDS AREN’T FOREVERDIAMONDS AREN’T FOREVERby Manouska Jeantusby Manouska Jeantus

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

HistoryHistory Diamond SymbolismsDiamond Symbolisms Diamond Effects:Diamond Effects:-Conditioning & Industry -Conditioning & Industry

ManipulationManipulation

-Economically-Economically

-Environment-Environment

-Blood Diamonds-Blood Diamonds

Diamond AlternativesDiamond Alternatives

History of DiamondsHistory of Diamonds The first recorded history of the diamond dates back some 3,000 The first recorded history of the diamond dates back some 3,000

years to India. n those days, the diamond was used in two ways-for years to India. n those days, the diamond was used in two ways-for decorative purposes, and as a talisman to ward off evil or provide decorative purposes, and as a talisman to ward off evil or provide protection in battle. protection in battle.

The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.successful advertising campaigns.

Today, diamonds are mined in at least 20 countries around the Today, diamonds are mined in at least 20 countries around the world; the majority of diamonds are found in Australia, Zaire, world; the majority of diamonds are found in Australia, Zaire, Botswana, Russia and South Africa. Botswana, Russia and South Africa.

Diamonds Are A Girls Best FriendDiamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Industry ManipulationIndustry Manipulation The De Beers group is an The De Beers group is an

internationally based internationally based diamond mining and diamond mining and trading company that has trading company that has controlled the flow of controlled the flow of diamonds in the US market diamonds in the US market place for decadesplace for decades

De Beers is well known for De Beers is well known for its its monopolisticmonopolistic practices practices throughout the 20th century, throughout the 20th century, whereby it used its dominant whereby it used its dominant position to manipulate the position to manipulate the international diamond market.international diamond market.

De Beers inflate diamond De Beers inflate diamond pricesprices

Release Diamonds out of Release Diamonds out of vault every so often vault every so often

De Beer AdvertisementsDe Beer Advertisements

Diamond Value & Your PocketsDiamond Value & Your Pockets Diamond prices have been artificially inflated by the Diamond prices have been artificially inflated by the

diamond cartel. diamond cartel.

The average diamond sold in the U.S. has been over-The average diamond sold in the U.S. has been over-graded in quality by 2 grades, graded in quality by 2 grades,

The average U.S. citizen pays twice the regular price The average U.S. citizen pays twice the regular price for an engagement ring. for an engagement ring.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVERDIAMONDS ARE FOREVER--Try to trade, sell, or Try to trade, sell, or pawn it and you’ll be sorely disappointed, because pawn it and you’ll be sorely disappointed, because their “worth” has been artificially inflated! Diamonds their “worth” has been artificially inflated! Diamonds aren’t scarce or rare.aren’t scarce or rare.

Shiny Rock vs. EarthShiny Rock vs. Earth Diamond mines damage the environmentDiamond mines damage the environment. all types of . all types of

mining, not just diamond mining. mining, not just diamond mining.

Diamond mining uses a variety of methods, some of which involve the removal of large quantities of soil and minerals from the earth

Diamond Mining:-Energy use and emissions-Waste and recycling -Use of water -Impact on Biodiversity

Mines are dangerous for workers (including children) Mines are dangerous for workers (including children)

Blood DiamondsBlood Diamonds Converted diamond, conflict diamond, hot Converted diamond, conflict diamond, hot

diamond or a war diamond diamond or a war diamond

Diamond conflict Occurring in Sierra Leone Diamond conflict Occurring in Sierra Leone Africa to BotswanaAfrica to Botswana

Global Witness was one of the first Global Witness was one of the first organizations to pick up on the link between organizations to pick up on the link between diamonds and conflicts in Africa in its 1998 diamonds and conflicts in Africa in its 1998 report entitled "A Rough Trade" report entitled "A Rough Trade"

The international diamond industry's trading The international diamond industry's trading centers in Europe funds this war by buying centers in Europe funds this war by buying

up to $125 million worth of diamonds a year up to $125 million worth of diamonds a year

Child soldiers, Amputees, Exploitation & Child soldiers, Amputees, Exploitation & indentured servicesindentured services

50,000 to 75,000 have been killed 50,000 to 75,000 have been killed

DIAMONDS AREN’T FOREVERDIAMONDS AREN’T FOREVER Diamonds are made out of Diamonds are made out of

hard and soft carbon pressed hard and soft carbon pressed mineralsminerals

Diamonds are not as rare as Diamonds are not as rare as Valued-Valued- De Beers has a huge De Beers has a huge vault where they keep most of vault where they keep most of the world’s supply of the world’s supply of diamonds. If it ever got diamonds. If it ever got released into the market, released into the market, DIAMONDS WOULD BE DIAMONDS WOULD BE WORHT NOTHING!WORHT NOTHING!

DON’T LET THE SLOGANS DON’T LET THE SLOGANS FOOL YOU-They will not keep FOOL YOU-They will not keep your LOVE “alive”your LOVE “alive”

Conflict Free AlternativesConflict Free Alternatives In May 2000, the passing of United Nations Security Council In May 2000, the passing of United Nations Security Council

Resolution 1295 and the diamond producing countries of southern Resolution 1295 and the diamond producing countries of southern Africa meeting in Kimberley, South Africa to plan a method by which Africa meeting in Kimberley, South Africa to plan a method by which the trade in conflict diamonds could be halted, and buyers of the trade in conflict diamonds could be halted, and buyers of diamonds could be assured that their diamonds have not diamonds could be assured that their diamonds have not contributed to violence…ALL DIAMONDS SHOULD GO THROUGH contributed to violence…ALL DIAMONDS SHOULD GO THROUGH THE KIMBERLY PROCESSTHE KIMBERLY PROCESS

The Clean Diamond Act will hopefully help regulationThe Clean Diamond Act will hopefully help regulation

Ask Jeweler:Ask Jeweler:““Where is this from?” or “Is this a Conflict-free Diamond?”Where is this from?” or “Is this a Conflict-free Diamond?”

Still unsure?....Do not purchaseStill unsure?....Do not purchase

ECO-Friendly AlternativesECO-Friendly Alternatives

Brilliant EarthBrilliant Earth

Green KaratGreen Karat

ALTERNATIVESALTERNATIVES

ALTERNATIVESALTERNATIVESSapphire & MoissaniteSapphire & Moissanite

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Diamond Effects:Diamond Effects:-Conditioning & Industry Manipulation-Conditioning & Industry Manipulation

-Economically-Diamond Value & Your Pocket-Economically-Diamond Value & Your Pocket

-Environment-Shiny Rock vs. Earth-Environment-Shiny Rock vs. Earth

-Blood Diamonds-Blood Diamonds

ECO-friendly ,Conflict-Free & Different Diamond ECO-friendly ,Conflict-Free & Different Diamond AlternativesAlternatives

SOURCESSOURCES

http://www.wisebread.com/the-greatest-story-http://www.wisebread.com/the-greatest-story-ever-sold-is-a-fantasy-covered-in-bloodever-sold-is-a-fantasy-covered-in-blood

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15842524/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15842524/ http://www.ecosalon.com/blood-diamonds-http://www.ecosalon.com/blood-diamonds-

conflict-diamonds-and-problems-with-diamonds/conflict-diamonds-and-problems-with-diamonds/ http://ezinearticles.com/?Synthetic-Diamonds---http://ezinearticles.com/?Synthetic-Diamonds---

Chagrined-When-Jewelers-Scoff-At-Fabulous-Chagrined-When-Jewelers-Scoff-At-Fabulous-Fake-Diamonds&id=70974Fake-Diamonds&id=70974