|
Dear Jewelry Lover,
"Conflict
diamonds" and “Blood diamonds”
How did a
gem as beautiful and remarkable as a diamond, most often associated with
love and romance, come to be called by such a disturbing name as “blood
diamond”? Like any item that is small, portable and of internationally
recognized value, diamonds can be used for evil as well as good. “Conflict
diamonds,” or “blood diamonds,” are diamonds illegally traded to fund
conflict in war-torn areas, especially central and western Africa. The countries most often associated with
conflict diamonds are Sierra Leone,
Angola, Liberia, the DRC, and the Ivory Coast.
Diamonds from these countries are often smuggled across the borders and
sold to fund the purchase of weapons. The atrocities committed against the
populace of these countries are what gave rise to the term “blood diamond.”
This term will become much more commonly heard with the December release of
a movie, starring Leonardo diCaprio, which goes
by the name “Blood Diamond.” In the story, set in Sierra Leone in the early
1990’s, diCaprio plays a South African mercenary
who learns of an extraordinary uncut pink diamond in the hands of a man
played by Djimon Honsou,
who was forced to work in the alluvial diamond fields. The thriller follows
their journey through rebel territory.
When
mined responsibly, diamonds, like any natural resource, can return a
tremendous amount of good to a country. Botswana,
for instance, has one of the highest per-capita incomes in Africa, thanks to its diamond mines. When a natural
resource is used irresponsibly, that income often goes to fund despots or
rebels for sometimes horrendously violent and disfiguring control of the
population.
At one
time, conflict diamonds may have accounted for as much as 4% of the world
diamond trade. Today, thanks to efforts within the international diamond
community, in cooperation with many NGOs, they account for less than 1% of
the diamond trade. 1% is still too much, but it is a noticeable improvement
since the period in which the film is set. The goal of the international
diamond industry is to stop the trade in conflict diamonds altogether. If
this film brings more attention to the subject, resulting in more attention
being paid by government agencies, it will have a positive result.
This
reduction in the trade of conflict diamonds has been accomplished through
the development of the Kimberley Process, a system of warranties developed
by the international diamond community which follows a diamond from its
emergence from the ground to its final destination in a retail store. At
each step in the process, the diamonds are warranted to have been mined
through legitimate, organized channels. Today, 69 countries have accepted
the Kimberley Process into law. While there is still improvement that can
be made, it is gratifying to see the unity in the international industry.
Diamonds
are by no means the only natural resource used to fund conflicts. Other
precious gems and metals have been used in similar ways, as have many
resources from our earth.
You may
have heard suggestions that all diamonds, or at least all African diamonds,
should be boycotted until the African conflicts are resolved. One of our
key diamond suppliers is a cutter from Johannesburg, a South African native. In
his words, “Africa is struggling to gain
economic traction. Anyone advocating a ban on African products is not
speaking for Africa.” Boycotting all
diamonds would affect far more than the countries committing the
atrocities; it would severely affect the economies of Botswana, Namibia,
and South Africa,
to name a few.
Diamonds
should be mined responsibly, and the income should go back to benefit the
diamond producing country. And diamonds, or any gems, should be treasured
for their natural beauty and emotional symbolism.
|
Coming
Attractions - Holiday Events
|
|
|
|
Just in time for the holidays meet representatives from Jingirian
and JFA Designs, Charles Green of England and shop our own
unique Gleim Collection. Our exclusive event
will feature diamonds, colored gemstones, and hand-engraved detail in
pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and lockets.
STANFORD SHOPPING CENTER
Jingirian Designs
Friday, Nov. 24 - Sunday, Nov. 26
STANFORD SHOPPING CENTER
Gleim Collection - JFA - Charles
Green
Thursday, Nov. 30 - Sunday, Dec. 3
PALO ALTO
Gleim Collection - Charles Green
Thursday, Nov. 30 - Saturday, Dec. 2
LOS ALTOS
Gleim Collection - JFA - Charles
Green
Thursday, Nov. 30 - Saturday, Dec. 2
LOS ALTOS
Holiday Stroll
Friday, Nov. 17
Join us for the Holiday Stroll in Downtown Los Altos, made even more
special this year by our showing of spectacular vintage jewelry from the deYoung Collection. Last year was a fun and festive
event, with crowds downtown enjoying the hospitality of many of the Main Street stores. Come in for wine, hors d’oeuvres, and some
exquisite jewelry.
Expanded Collections and Special Pricing
during the show.
|
|
A Helping Hand!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Evening
For Your Organization?
|
|
|
|
Looking for a special evening for your organization? How about a
jewelry-oriented evening? Our downtown Palo Alto store was recently host to a
meeting of the Harvard Club of Silicon Valley. Members enjoyed an evening
of wine and cheese, a beautiful array of jewelry (of course!) and a
presentation on diamonds and pearls. They learned about diamond mining,
cutting and grading, viewed rough, uncut diamonds, as well as the
finished product, saw some of the tools used in the fashioning process,
and, most valuable, asked lots of questions. This kind of program may be
tailored to any jewelry-related topic you wish: antique and period
jewelry, remodeling and restyling jewelry you already own, different
kinds of gemstones, how to build a jewelry wardrobe, or even how to shop
for jewelry when traveling overseas. It can be a fun and informal
evening, and we’re glad to host your group. If you are interested,
contact me at Georgie@gleimjewelers.com.
|
|
|
Exclusive
Estate Event |
|
|
|
We will have an extraordinary collection
of estate and period jewelry from DeYoung at
each one of our stores. DeYoung, a company with
a 200 year legacy, is especially known for jewelry from the Art Deco
period, but covers all eras from Georgian to present day. Come see a
not-to-be-missed collection with one-of-a-kind treasures.
PALO ALTO
Tuesday, November 14th
LOS ALTOS
Friday, November 17th
STANFORD SHOPPING CENTER
Saturday - Sunday, November 18th - 19th
Our Watch Fair returns to all three stores. We will have expanded
collections of all of our fine Swiss watch brands, including Cartier, Bretling, Baume & Mercier, and Cyma.
Saturday – Sunday
December 9 & 10
**Sunday, Stanford store only
JFA also means color, but in a very different way. Jean-Francois Albert
selects the finest in individual colored gemstones to use as inspiration
for his rings and necklaces. His designs are clean and contemporary, and
he is the creator of the “Signature Fit” ring which can be adjusted to
your finger size.
Visit
Jean-Francois Albert Online
Jingirian Designs means color! This
contemporary collection of jewelry uses colored gems in lovely
combinations to create rings, brooches and necklaces saturated with
color.
Visit
Jingirian Designs Online
Charles Green is a fifth-generation British company which creates classic
rings, bracelets, and their trademark lockets in gold and platinum. Their
workmanship is the finest, and has provided heirlooms for many of our
clients.
Visit
Charles Green Online
|
|
