'What Are Blood Diamonds'. Astro was featuring the movie the whole month of Feb 2008 and caused quite a stir in awareness on the brutal acts against humanity that were taking place in South Africa. For the most part, the movie was a mild version of the real truth.
I had just graduated in 2005 from GIA (Gemological Institute of America), and had since worked as a jewelry specialist with the Carat Club and Asprey in Malaysia. I was invited to a morning live talk show on NTV7 to share my views about conflict/ blood diamonds. I have never been interested in politics and I cannot watch movies such aas these and war. In all honestly, I live in Malaysia on the complete other side of the world. And I had no clue about 'Conflict Diamonds' until GIA. Since the 1880's til 2001, 95% of world's diamond were South African diamonds. The circulation of diamonds produced and traded during that time, which are now in the trade and to consumers; they are basically untraceable in origin.
This is not to bear any diamond wearers with a heavy heart. But we all can combat war and poverty by making simple, easy decisions of not supporting blood diamonds.
There is also a narrow misconception amongst many that South African diamonds are of superior quality compared to those produced from mines in Canada, Russia or even India. The truth: 95% of diamond rough harvested in African continents are of gem grade quality (used for jewelry). Many illegal traders will continue to supply black market high quality diamonds for cheap where there is a demand. This does not mean that other diamond producing countries produce inferior diamonds!! A diamond of the same grade would be of the same controlled market price as the same one purchased from South Africa. Other mines just produce a lesser portion of gem quality rough and of smaller stone size.
Live Interview Part 1:
Thursday, February 28, 2008
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