True Conflict-Free Diamonds

True Conflict-Free Diamonds

September 14th, 2007 @ 2:40 pm by Mrs. Tomato
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I’ll admit it: I never watched Leonardo diCaprio’s movie Blood Diamond. Many of my friends said the movie made them so depressed they no longer wanted to wear their engagement ring, and, well…I like my ring. If I stopped wearing it, I’m not sure Mr.Tomato would be thrilled to find it sitting in my jewelry box for the rest of our marriage.

I will say though, that before Mr.Tomato purchased my ring he asked the Bulgari salesman if it was “conflict-free.” The response was that though they try, it’s very hard to track the diamond from the moment it’s mined to the moment it arrives in the store. However, they only use reputable dealers who supposedly avoid such means. So the truth is, tracking the origins of a diamond is questionable at best.

That said, I know there are some people who are truly concerned about this issue, and refuse to have a diamond ring because of it. For that audience, I found this site: http://brilliantearth.com/

True Conflict-Free Diamonds : wedding napa valley rings Be Mainsiteimage 72dpi.jpg

These diamonds are mined in Canada, ensuring their customers that they are 100% conflict-free, and 5% of their profits are donated to the Diamonds for Africa Fund. In addition, their gold/platinum bands are made from renewed metal. The diamonds come in all shape and sizes (and prices) and the bands range from the classic to the more elaborate pave. Definitely worth a look.

Another alternative is to buy vintage diamonds or wear the diamond your mother/mother-in-law wore. That’s another sure way of preventing yet another conflict diamond being mined.

Do you know of any other resources for conflict-free diamonds?

Tags: napa-valley, rings |

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42 Responses to “True Conflict-Free Diamonds”

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Guest

christina

although canadian diamonds are conflict-free, there are still serious environmental issues surrouding canadian diamonds. many of the diamond ores are found underneath glaciers, and sadly, the environment must be destroyed in order to yield those “conflict-free” diamonds. my challenge to all is, why do you need a diamond? i have a beautiful moissanite engagement ring and would never ever have accepted a diamond. ask your jeweler. you’d be surprised at how beautiful (more so than a diamond!) moissanite is.

9/14/07 @ 2:52 pm (reply)

Member

fubabee (message) 51 posts, Worker bee

I’ve done a lot of looking, and this site has an alternative to conflict diamonds as well:

http://www.greenkarat.com/

9/14/07 @ 2:55 pm (reply)

Guest

kgr

I have an Eightstar diamond, which uses only diamonds from Canada and then the diamonds are cut in Northern California. http://www.eightstar.com/

9/14/07 @ 2:56 pm (reply)

Guest

brenda

Thank you for this post, a lot of people focus on the diamond without a thought as to how it affects the rest of the world.

9/14/07 @ 2:58 pm (reply)

Guest

Ashley

My engagement ring is a canadian conflict-free diamond and it is fantasic…..although canadian diamonds are generally a little more pricey, they clarity of them as well as the certain sparkle is almost unbeatable.

9/14/07 @ 3:00 pm (reply)

Member

smartl (message) 534 posts, Busy bee

Thank you so much for sharing this site. They actually carry the exact style wedding ring I’ve been looking for too and have been having trouble finding So I could buy from them and get EXACTLY the style I want with a perfectly clear conscience.

9/14/07 @ 3:02 pm (reply)

Member

Maude (message) 354 posts, Helper bee

My fiance bought me a ring that I love from an antique store. Not only is it conflict free, but much cheaper than a traditional ring. I love the idea of reusing and not creating more waste (e.g. mining gold and diamonds) in the process of wedding planning.

9/14/07 @ 3:02 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Toucan (message) 1,327 posts, Bumble bee

Thanks for your post, Mrs. Tomato.

9/14/07 @ 3:05 pm (reply)

Guest

Yach

My jeweler was able to take one look at my diamond and determine that it came from Israel. He said that some companies will put tiny tiny etchings at the bottom of a machine-cut diamond to indicate where the diamond came from.

9/14/07 @ 3:07 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Mrs. Bird of Paradise (message) 345 posts, Helper bee

Whiteflash, where our rings are from, has conflict free diamonds. more info here:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds_info/t/faq.aspx?articleid=359&zoneid=6

9/14/07 @ 3:15 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

Sel

Thanks for the post. I was very torn regarding this, and I researched it high and low. I was still upset at how although conflict-free Canadian diamonds still were destroying the environment and have even uprooted a local tribe.

Instead I decided to get a peridot cushion cut ring, which I love and get many compliments on. But I’m glad that people are being more aware about trying to get conflict free diamonds.

9/14/07 @ 3:18 pm (reply)

12.

Guest

melissa

Thank you so much for posting this!
My fiance I are trying to avoid buying a conflict diamond thing at all cost. My engagement ring came from my grandmother. I had my heart set on this Tiffany’s wedding band:

http://www.tiffany.com/shopping/item.aspx?sku=GRP00900&cid=121324&mcat=148203&menu=0&page=4

but knew that I would never buy it….BUT….the site you posted has the exact ring!

thank you, thank you, thank you!

9/14/07 @ 3:18 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

Thank you for the post!

I understand the appeal of diamonds and an heirloom/vintage one would be okay, but I would prefer a pearl for an engagement ring. Pearl? Because of the spiritual meaning for me, because I just like the way they look, and because I do not intend to wear my engagement ring after the wedding (except maybe on a special occasion).

I am all for people challenging what is standard. To me, the problem with getting a diamond (no matter where it comes from) is that is continues to push it as “the” standard, and indirectly supports the industry in that way. Largely, I see the industry as an unjust one. We all have to chose our battles, and this is one, small way I have decided to take a stand in the way I feel convicted.

9/14/07 @ 3:27 pm (reply)

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Guest

Kira

My diamond is my great-grandmother’s diamond, and I couldn’t be happier with it. I was concerned with the price and the ethical issues surrounding diamonds, so when my mom offered me my great-grandmother’s diamond, I knew I wouldn’t refuse.

Thanks for the post though! It looks like they have beautiful rings.

9/14/07 @ 3:42 pm (reply)

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Guest

Rosie

Here are three brilliant British companies that are leading the way and selling conflict free diamonds and jewellery too - http://www.ingleandrhode.co.uk, http://www.credjewellery.com and http://www.fifibijoux.com

9/14/07 @ 4:13 pm (reply)

16.

Member

beekeebear (message) 42 posts, Newbee

Thanks for bringing this issue to light.

My boyfriend and I have discussed it and when we get engaged, he’ll be buying moissanite (for a LOT of reasons).

My sister and best friend both have gorgeous moissanite rings.

YAY for moissanite!

9/14/07 @ 4:14 pm (reply)

17.

Guest

Veronica

Like some others who have posted here, I have an antique ring, which has a sapphire stone. No additional mining (for gems or gold), no waste, etc — plus I haven’t seen anyone else wearing one like it!

9/14/07 @ 4:28 pm (reply)

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Guest

Rockbride

I hear Tiffany’s is conflict-free and therefore one of the reasons it is so expensive.

9/14/07 @ 5:46 pm (reply)

19.

Guest

karebearlbc

So interesting!
When my bf and I started looking for rings we had JUST seen Blood Diamond! It was very depressing. I asked every vendor the question of where it came from.
Finally we found one that was sure the diamond was not a “conflict” diamond. He said ever since the movie, many people have started worrying about this issue!
Great topic! Thanks for researching!

9/14/07 @ 5:49 pm (reply)

20.

Guest

wasabi

My fiance bought my ring from BrilliantEarth(BE), and there are other companies too, like Leber’s. I’d like to add they use renewed or recycled metals for their gold and platinum AND 5% of the sale goes towards helping African miners. While the Kimberly process is suppose to ensure your diamond is conflict free it is not a fool proof system by any means nor does it care about working conditions of African miners. that is why BE uses Canadian diamonds. BE was wonderful to deal with and i LOVE my ring. They found a ruby for my engagement ring from a mine in fair trade mine in Malawi, since most rubies come from Burma i was relieved.

9/14/07 @ 6:11 pm (reply)

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