What is the cruelty behind diamonds?

Much of the global diamond supply has been mined to the detriment of human rights and the environment. The industry has fuelled exploitative and unsafe working conditions, child labour, war crimes, ecological devastation and forcible displacement. Incongruously, diamonds have become a symbol of love.

What is unethical about diamonds?

Even though many brutal civil wars have now ended, violence in diamond mines remains a serious problem. Many diamonds are still stained by severe human rights abuses such as forced labor, beatings, torture, and murder.

Are diamonds cruelty free?

Because of the Kimberley Process, 99.8% of diamonds are now certified conflict-free and there is much greater accountability and transparency in the diamond industry. Unfortunately, just because a diamond has been certified by the Kimberly Process does not necessarily mean it is ethical or even conflict-free.

Is child labor used to mine diamonds?

Because children are considered an easy source of cheap labor, they are regularly employed in the diamond mining industry. In some areas of Africa, children make up more than a small part of the workforce.

Are any diamonds truly ethical?

There are only a few reliable sources for truly Conflict Free Diamonds or Ethically Sourced Diamonds. Australia, Canada and Botswana Africa are the most well known and prolific. The Australian Mines are the Argyle Mine owned by The Rio Tinto Mining Company, and the Ellendale owned by Goodrich Resources.

The Terrible Truth About Diamonds

Are Tiffany diamonds ethical?

As global leaders in sustainable luxury, Tiffany & Co. is committed to sourcing natural and precious materials in an ethical and sustainable manner. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward conflict diamonds, and source our diamonds only from known sources and countries that are participants in the Kimberley Process.

What is an ethical alternative to diamonds?

Diamond Alternative: Sapphires & Rubies

Sapphires and rubies are a great diamond alternative because they are accessible in price, they come in many beautiful vibrant colors that fit any style and they are almost as hard as a diamond. In fact they are the 2nd hardest gemstone with #1 being a diamond.

Who is used as slaves to extract diamonds?

Apart from the innocent people caught up in the conflicts that the trade fuels, thousands of men, women and children in countries such as Sierra Leone are used as slaves to extract diamonds.

Are blood diamonds still a thing?

Diamonds that fuel civil wars are often called "blood" or "conflict" diamonds. Although many diamond-fueled wars have now ended, conflict diamonds remain a serious problem.

Why are children forced to work in mines?

POVERTY-: Child forced labour usually happens in developing countries where people lack the basic necessities of life. One of the most prominent reasons for children working in the mining industry is poverty and lack of basic necessity.

Can vegans wear diamonds?

Land-mined diamonds are widely considered as 'not vegan' due to the harm traditional mining brings to the land and animals in the excavation process.

Why can't you scratch a diamond?

The Mohs' scale (scale of mineral hardness) specifically defines hardness as the resistance to being scratched. Diamonds score a perfect ten on the scale, making it the toughest substance out of more than fifty that are on the scale.

Are lab grown diamonds real?

Lab grown diamonds are as real as diamonds mined from the earth. Lab grown diamonds are identical to earth mined diamonds in every way, except that they are grown in a lab. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds and exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle.

Why are diamonds cursed?

The Sancy Diamond is believed to be cursed because it has disappeared and reappeared so many times in its history. At one point, the diamond was “stolen” from a messenger and believed to be lost to thieves. However, the Sancy was found just a few days later in an unexpected place.

Why are diamonds so controversial?

Perhaps the biggest controversy facing the diamond trade today is conflict diamonds. These stones are also known as blood diamonds because of the blood shed to obtain them. A conflict diamond has been stolen or illegally mined and then sold to raise money for rebel militia or terrorist groups.

Is the diamond industry corrupt?

Government corruption and mismanagement of the diamond industry has led to dangerous conditions for miners — and not enough diamonds to pay the bills. “Approximately 1 million diamond diggers earn less than a dollar a day. That's 10% of the world's total diamond diggers.”

Why does Africa have so many diamonds?

Diamonds in Africa were formed somewhere between 600 million and 3 billion years ago when titanic-force pressure and heat caused carbon 1,200 miles (1,931 km) below the Earth's surface to crystallize. As recently as a million years ago, erupting molten rock brought the diamonds closer to the Earth's surface.

Who are blood diamonds sold to?

Blood diamonds (also called conflict diamonds, brown diamonds, hot diamonds, or red diamonds) are diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, an invading army's war efforts, terrorism, or a warlord's activity.

Why do they call it Blood Diamond?

blood diamond, also called conflict diamond, as defined by the United Nations (UN), any diamond that is mined in areas controlled by forces opposed to the legitimate, internationally recognized government of a country and that is sold to fund military action against that government.

What percentage of diamonds are blood?

What percentage of diamonds are blood diamonds? According to the diamond business, conflict diamonds account for 4% of all rough diamond traffic. However, according to some estimates, the percentage of conflict diamonds in the whole trade could reach 15%.

How much is the Blood Diamond worth?

It is still regarded as the largest polished natural fancy red diamond, and its current price estimate exceeds $20m.

Who controls diamonds in Africa?

De Beers Consolidated Mines is responsible for the De Beers mining in South Africa.

What is the most ethical jewelry?

Which gemstone is most ethical?

Many consider pearls to be the most sustainable jewelry-quality gem around, as they form relatively quickly. Plus, if they are ethically sourced, they are eco-friendly, too. As a result, it may be one of the most ethical gemstones around.

Are pearls more ethical than diamonds?

Investing in a mined diamond may come at a higher ethical cost than pearls. If you've got your sights set on diamonds but would prefer to make a more conscious, eco-friendly purchase, consider a lab-grown diamond or diamond simulant instead.