Snapshots In My Time...
Of My Time.....Hauntings.
I have not yet seen the movie but I want to. When I think of blood diamonds I also think of the gumboot dancers. Blood diamonds are diamonds found and sold during a war. The money is then used to help fund that war. I have not heard of blood diamonds before and aparently, it is a relatively new thing. They were first heard of in the 1990's during the civil was in Sierra Leona.
The only thing so bad about this is that in Africa, it seems that continent will never be at peace. Since the time of slavery and apartheid Africa has been stripped of it resources, people and natural. Now we have blood diamonds. I do not want to make the mistake of buying any blood diamonds. Jogia Diamonds guarantees that their diamonds are not conflict diamonds. Now when looking at some of the facts, countries over there just have to declare that their diamonds are not conflict diamonds and suddenly they are not. In reality they still might be. About 99% of all the diamonds are conflict free, but some are still being sold in the US. How is the consumer to know? I do not know.
I remember back in the 70's I think when there was a boycott against South Africa and the
De Beers diamonds. Now that is over. The bad thing is that African people cannot get control of their own county and resources to run and control things. That too and all the civil war is a direct result of these colonists going to Africa and beginning the slave trade. It will take many generations to even begin to repair the social and economic damage that has been done. I know it will not be fixed in my lifetime.
Do I have diamonds? Yes. I love them but I have not bought any in years. When I did buy, I made sure it was not a DeBeers. Now, I guess I would have to ask about where the diamonds came from. I would not want to buy a blood diamond today.
My Disclosure Policy
Africa = continent
ReplyDeleteNot country
Consumer confidence
ReplyDeleteI received a call this morning, one which we get on a regular basis.
The question is always the same, and our answer is always the same.
It usually starts with, "I am buying a diamond how can I be sure that I am getting what I am told".
the answer is simple.
No matter where you are buying a stone you need to firstly make sure the retailer is reputable.
A good way to determine this, is by the certificate they provide you with the diamond.
If you are offered a certificate from a reputable laboratory that is recognised by the world associations you can be sure you are getting what you are told. And dealing with a reputable retailer.
If you are offered a bogus certificate or an in house certificate of valuation you should shop elsewhere.
This advice to be simple and seems logical, YET we constantly see consumers who have been caught out.
Why is this?
Well today, I would like to share what we see.
The consumer is sceptical and mistrusting by nature,YET
when they are involved in a emotional purchase and at their most vulnerable, the sharks come out to feed,playing on the feeling of the moment and the feeling between the couple.
It takes very little to convince a first time, uninformed person that they are getting a great deal, especially with very official looking paperwork.
This always ends in tears and usually the feeling is they will never trust again.
It is amazing that a few unethical traders who perpetuate these problems bring doubt on to the industry as a whole,and my personal view is that we should stand together and get rid of them once and for all.
Point out the pit falls to your customers, they do appreciate it.
Michael Cohen
Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia
Suite 1, Level 1
133 Castlereagh Street
Sydney, 2000
Tel: 02 9261 2104
Fax: 02 9261 4263
www.dcla.com.au
info@dcla.com.au
How do I you know the stone you bought is a branded diamond and NOT just another trumpeted up brand designed to cost you more?
ReplyDeleteWell in Australia there are brands like "hearts on fire", "Passion8" or "Rand" these are in fact brands.
The way you can tell is simple they are backed up by site holders which are official customers of the DTC. Or Canada mark which is BHP. Names that sound fancy or like reel brands are just knock offs and are not worth more.
Be careful of brands that have names that are made to sound like "hearts of fire" which is a reel brand. Unethical diamonds retailers use these technique to catch you,
Take care and check before you buy, if it does not appear on multiple sites it is not a braded diamond.
If you are buying on the net, make sure you are buying from a legitimate seller. A good way to distinguish is buy the quality of the certificates they offer. If they sell stones with GIA, DCLA, AGS, HRD. And they have the stones in stock you are safe. If not, then shop somewhere else. Never pay upfront! you must see the stone first!!!!!
ReplyDelete