Seeing a movie like, Blood Diamonds is enough to move anyone to rethink their views on Diamonds. I’ve posted other posters, facts and videos about it in the past as well. There’s a line in that movie that says something to about how when something becomes valuable people our oppressed. They said something much more eloquent. Today, I want to envision what might happen if tomorrow, like the Emperor’s new clothes, everyone realized Diamonds are just rocks, and overnight the diamond industry is over, not a single additional sale of shiny rock things, not for wedding rings, necklaces, grills, nothing.
Honestly, I think things would change extremely quickly. The flow of money into diamond galleries, diamond companies (De Beers), and the oppressive armies and regimes that enslave people to mine the diamonds would suddenly be gone. I’m not sure what would happen to the guys in suits who have lived lavishly off the diamond trade, they might be able to survive on their spoils from years past, but maybe they’ll find themselves head over heels in debt. I’d rather talk about the people in the mines.
Time and time again, when I talk about oppressive situations, be it sweatshops, diamond trade, child labor, etc. A common response is, well if ‘Walmart’ (insert other oppressive companies here) didn’t employ them, nobody would. And “25 cents an hour might not be great,but it’s better then nothing, besides it can buy you a lot more over ‘there.'” I think people use the justification a lot, and I have no doubt, it’s one of the reasons the realities of the diamond industry haven’t pricked more hearts.
If diamonds lost their value over night, somewhere around a million people would lose their ‘jobs’ mining diamonds. For some though, that ‘job’ was working as a slave for no pay and very little care for their well being; with the diamond industry gone, they would be free! The money used to fuel war in multiple countries from the diamond trade would also be gone. Oppressive regimes would need to find some other way to make money, or maybe, with the lack of a valuable commodity to fuel their greed and oppression, they would simply cease to exist.
What if all it took to end Slavery for hundreds and thousands of people in our world, was for us to stop attributing monetary value to shiny rocks?
Although it’s worth noting the diamond industry wouldn’t simply cease to exist. Diamonds have value in their own right, as an extremely hard substance. However, if they were only needed for engineering purposes, the industry would certainly become less corrupt – demand would more accurately match supply, and engineering firms tend not to appreciate paying over the odds for things.
Great stuff, Ariah.
When my husband and I met, I knew literally nothing about the diamond industry. So when he dropped to one knee and put that beautiful diamond ring on my finger, I never really thought twice about it. Well, other than “it’s a little flashy for my particular tastes, but….” hehe
But over the years, I have learned the sad reality of the whole industry and everything that comes out of it. So, after much soul searching and procrastinating, Jason and I finally got rid of my dimond wedding rings last year and chose to get something completely different (less pain causing and blood inflicting) to symbolize our love and eternal unity before God.
We got a simple sterling silver band for less than $10 and couldn’t be happier with it. 🙂 I can wear this ring in peace without my soul crying out to me every time I put it on, and without personally advertizing the false lie of “diamonds as a girl’s best friend.” Because it is one of the worst lies ever told and I refuse to be a part of it.
That being said, I’m totally with you. I wish we would all stop buying them TODAY….that the entire industry would come crashing down and every life were be freed from the pain and oppression they’re currently under.
It would be a beautiful day indeed. 🙂
Peace,
Jamie
I agree that the situation is terrible and must be put to an end, but I believe that boycotting diamonds would not improve the situation. As said earlier, millions of people are supported by the industry, many who do not live in “conflict areas”. Instead, people looking to purchase diamonds should try to ensure their diamond is from a conflict-free area. Through the Kimberly Process, a certification process for diamonds made by the Kimberly Conference (actually featured at the end of Blood Diamond), diamonds’ can be certified as having a more peaceful origin. The system may not be perfect yet, but it is a big step in the right direction, taking power away from conflict diamond dealers. So, before buying a diamond, make sure your dealer is knowledgeable on the Kimberly Process and can provide you with a certificate. In the end, every little action helps.