Newsworthy items from the jewelry industry and the gemological
field, brought to you by Mrs. Gottrocks Fine Jewelry and Gifts.
Mrs. Gottrocks Fine Jewelry and Gifts is joining the national
and international jewelry industry in taking a stand against conflict
diamonds. In conjunction with the Jewelers of America (JA) (http://www.jewelers.org),
Mrs. Gottrocks has prepared the following dialog to answer your
questions on the subject of conflict diamonds and their use by
the jewelry industry.
Q: What exactly are "conflict diamonds"?
A: The term conflict diamonds refers to diamonds coming
from parts of Africa where diamonds are sold to fund rebel activities
- activities which result in much civilian loss and destruction.
Diamonds are an expression of love - not a means of violence.
As ethical and socially responsible business people, Mrs. Gottrocks
Fine Jewelry and Gifts abhors the link between a small portion
of the world's diamonds and war that exists today in rebel-controlled
territories in Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic
of the Congo.
Q: What are the chances I am either wearing or buying one
of these stones?
A: Very slim. Less than 40% of the world's diamonds are
from these areas. Virtually all diamonds are mined and sold through
legitimate channels. They contribute very substantially to the
economic and social development of countries like Botswana, Namibia
and South Africa.
Q: What's being done to stop the sale of these stones?
A: Stopping the flow of conflict diamonds is a top priority
of the diamond and jewelry industries in the U.S. and worldwide.
Proactive steps are being taken worldwide to end the sale of these
stones. The jewelry industry is currently working hand-in-hand
with the United Nations and with the governments of countries
around the world to stop the trade of conflict diamonds, through
combined and coordinated efforts.
The World Diamond Council is a newly established international
body that has been formally recognized by the United Nations.
The Council has developed a plan to create a system of international
certification and controls from the diamond mines to the cutting
centers around the world. It is backed by new legislation limiting
imports of cut and polished diamonds to shipments from certified
centers. The council will also monitor compliance.
Q: How can you tell where a diamond comes from?
A: It is not possible to look at a cut diamond and know
where (which mine or which country) it was mined.
Q: What are you doing to help stem the flow of conflict diamonds?
A: Mrs. Gottrocks Fine Jewelry and Gifts is doing everything
possible to assure our customers the diamonds we sell are not
conflict diamonds. We will not knowingly buy or sell these stones.
We require that our diamond vendors also pledge that they will
not knowingly buy or sell conflict diamonds.
If you would like more information on this subject, please contact
Mrs. Gottrocks Fine Jewelry and Gifts at bcsales@comcast.net,
or the Jewelers
of America.
