The Diamond Trade in 2007: How Much Blood Remains?
In March, 2007, I traveled to Turkey, where I attended the Istanbul Jewelry Show. There I met a diamond dealer, the president of a large firm with a large booth. He was the brother of a personal friend and had been in the diamond industry for many years. His primary business was the Russian market, the fabulously rich oligarchy which has a large appetite for bling. The larger, the better.
“How much do conflict diamonds still enter the supply chain?” I asked.
“A huge amount,” he said. He didn’t trade in these stone, but his customers were not so concerned about the issue. By stating that much of the world diamond market does not care much whether diamonds are from conflict zones or not, he merely confirmed what NGOs such as Global Witness, who broke the conflict diamond story, have said for years.
Blood Diamonds Still Enter the Market
If someone brings a pocket full of uncut diamonds to the back alleys of Mumbai, Antwerp or New York, they will find a way into the supply chain. Amnesty International, states that conflict diamonds are still being widely circulated. No one knows how many thousands of women wear engagement rings purchased some time in the last fifteen years that funded the deaths of 3.7 million Africans. The sourcing of diamonds has too often embodied the opposite of what diamonds represent, when a person falls to his or her knees to propose to their beloved.
The Kimberly Certification Process has definitely affected the trade of blood diamonds. It is an honest and valiant attempt by the international diamond industry to regulate the trade while continuing to have some control of the market, which is in their interest.
However, the Kimberly Process is self enforced, the practices in the diamond industry are highly secretive and there is no system of independent, periodic reviews of signature countries. Diamonds can change hands many times before they reach the jeweler. It is impossible for the sector to close all of the potential holes in the supply chain; from mine to market.
Blood Diamond: Symptoms of Much Greater Issues
Blood diamonds are merely a symptom of much greater issues, though. The current war and destruction in Africa are the result of the colonial policies that destroyed complex cultural structures – the racist, dehumanizing commoditization of people and resources that even now still fatten the economies of the developed world.
For blood diamonds to not exist, we would have to eliminate poverty and injustice in the war torn African countries that are too much in chaos to reap the benefit of this resources. No single government or trade organization can stop this. Love, compassion, fairness and equality would have to be more important than the current relentless greed that drives human misery.
Now, add to the above another issue in the news last year: certification. Last year GIA, was implicated in a grading scandal that rocked the industry. Even a slight variance in grading can mean millions of dollars in a parcel of diamonds. The issues have been resolved and people have lost their jobs and their reputations. Yet recently, when looking to purchase a diamond, an industry insider remarked that certain labs are “softer” in their grading of diamonds than others. This is not the first anecdotal evidence I have heard that has led me to believe that the grading of diamonds is not as objective it is made out to be.
There are extremely wide ranging views on these issues, and many people in the jewelry trade would probably dispute what I write here. Diamonds represent over 50% of the business for the jewelry industry as a whole. For my company, it is less than 10%. I have less to lose in giving my candid insider’s opinion, but it is only an opinion, a snapshot; and I would never pretend to be an authority on this subject.
From the point of view of ethical purchases, the obvious solution for some is to avoid the African supply chain. You can purchase diamonds that are certified from Canada. However, many African countries depend upon legitimate diamond trade, so the ethics of boycotting African diamonds has its drawbacks.
Even Nelson Mandala asked that African diamonds not be boycotted. Ironically, he has become a spoke person for De Beers. De Beers itself has taken on new development initiatives in an attempt to polish their image.
Blood-Free but Still Not Fair Trade
Just because a diamond is from a Kimberly certified source does not mean that it is something that you can feel proud of owning it, as this New York Times article entitled: “Diamonds Move From Blood To Sweat And Tears.”
The Kimberly process is regulatory program. It does not address wages or environmental conditions. At present, there are over a million, perhaps as many as 1.3 million diamond diggers. Most of these people are poor. They are often paid under market for their finds. Diamond areas can be as large as a hundred square miles. Even in established mines, as much as 20% the diamond rough may be lost to theft.
The Quest for Fair
The decision of where one should purchase their diamonds can leave the ethical consumer in a “Catch 22.” The most worthy viable, ethical solution is to push for ethically sourced, or “fair trade” diamonds now. Already, there are strong industry initiatives to change the way diamonds are mined. One of the most noteworthy is taking place right now in Sierra Leon. However, most diamonds from mines that have strict environmental and fair labor protocols, such as those produced by Wade Watson in Sierra Leon, are mixed in with other diamonds in the diamond cutting centers.
A small group of people, from manufacturers to major players in the diamond industry, have championed ethical jewelry. The “Ethical Jewelry Summit” which took place at the world bank on Oct. 25th, 26, 2007, focused on the plight of small scale, artisan miners in the diamond and precious metal sectors.
Consumers can help too. If just one out of ten of those in search of a diamond engagement ring asked for a “fair trade” diamond, the process would move more quickly. A recent article in the Rapaport Magazine (9/07, published only in print) surveyed sales people in Las Vegas, NV jewelry stores. The article generated some controversy. It found that many who sell diamonds even now, know very little about the conflict diamond issue. These sales people must be besieged by an army of educated consumers who demand ethical diamond sourcing.
The jewelry business, like most every other business, has always shown itself to be more motivated by money than by ethics. However, all of those involved in ethical jewelry practices hope to move our initiatives forward with the support of people in the market who share our humanitarian concerns.
Marc Choyt is President of Reflective Images, an award winning designer jewelry company, http://www.celticjewelry.com selling wedding rings by artisan designers: http://www.artisanweddingrings.com. Marc authors http://www.fairjewelry.org, supporting green, fair trade, responsibly made jewelry.
Equal Rights In The Workplace
Discrimination in the workplace takes many forms. It can be related to either race, age, gender, religion or sexual orientation. This was previously driven by moral or ethical grounds and public relations. In the past, many people who don’t fall into the common bracket have found it difficult to actually find jobs, then to cope with the opposition they face once their diverse lifestyle is public knowledge.
However, in recent years, the huge cultural shift in Britain has led to a greater demand for acceptance. The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation), updated in April 2007 was introduced for the sole purpose of preventing discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference. Many companies are readily implementing structures to accomodate with the realisation that the right employee can come from any walk of life. The result being that not only is equality being observed as it should but companies are thriving with the added skills being brought in.
In 2006, the population of London was just over seven and a half million. According to statistics, 10% of that number are from the gay and lesbian community. If the members of that community are discriminated against, thats 750,000 potential workers with untapped skills and talents that could just be what your company needs to thrust it forward into a more competitive position.
Many companies are realising that, not only do they have to comply with the law but it is actually a massive benefit to them to do so. Skilled people come from all walks of life and bring their own unique talents with them. When you look at services like the police force, it also has a wider community benefit as minority groups do not feel alienated and can actually relate to these organisations and feel they are more understood.
According to a study composed by the BBC into what companies are doing about diverse recruitment they found that Penguin Books are actively hiring from minority backgrounds. First ScotRail discovered that of the 900 train drivers they employ, 879 of them are men. To redress the balance, they are looking into diverse recruitment to encourage women to apply.
Diversity recruitment is also a growing business in itself. Helping companies to become more aware of the whole LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community and bringing their skills and available workers to the attention of organisations looking to employ staff from all walks of life – thus widening their potential as a business.
The Home Office are setting a fine example in this
regard. After requesting the help of a diverse recruitment company to assist them in attracting applications from minority groups to enlist in the prison service, their target of 7% of candidates from alternative backgrounds jumped to 52% of actual applicants. It is taking time for the lesbian and gay community to trust employers but these figures show that things are moving in the right direction.
London Fire Service also recognise the benefits of recruiting from the wider community and launched a campaign to attract servicemen and women specifically from the gay community. Using publications and websites particularly aimed at the recruitment of gay people the diversity of the work force has increased tremendously.
Barclays, Selfridges and The Royal Navy are also helping to dispel the discrimination of minority groups by actively seeking out skills and talent using diverse recruitment and leading the way for smaller companies to follow.
Equal rights activist Shaun Parker looks into diversity recruitment within the workplace. To find out more please visit http://www.millivres.co.uk/
Money Can Corrupt A Good Person
A leprechaun frolicked from under the magnificent rainbow that caressed the once heavily laden rain soaked valley. A pot of gold lay beneath his feet and a smile paraded from his lips as a man tried with all of his might to catch the lively elf. His pursuit was quickly thwarted with the disappearance of the green man and the gold he guarded.
So many people are easy targets to con artists who prey upon good and honest people. Victims are hard working people who toil and slave to build a nest egg for the rainy days of life. People who fight to get ahead, but often times fall prey to scams and opportunities that don’t exist.
People are deceived by credit card companies that convince them that they can have a new tool, a new piece of furniture, the new appliance, or something so necessary as the plumbing repaired that is leaking under the kitchen sink. Companies that exploit those who don’t understand how interest expands and accumulates making a person pay up to three times the price for an item they may not really need.
Recently I moved a debt on a credit card over to a non-interest card for a year. When I did this I had no knowledge as to how the plan worked so I asked a lot of questions to the person who was helping me with this task. She explained that there was no interest for a year on the transfer, but if I used the credit card again towards any purchases then I would have to pay interest.
Well that sounded right until she made one final statement. When I use the card for another purchase and I make a payment, then my payment goes towards the non-interest transfer. In other words I would not be able to pay off the interest credit until I had paid off the interest-free transfer first.
Suddenly a revelation came to my mind and I stated, if that’s the case, I will put this card up and not use it again until the transfer was paid. The woman on the other end of the phone realized that she had just revealed a secret used by the credit card companies. She was shocked on how quickly I comprehended what she said and she became very quiet.
People who are wise financially know how to trick people who are using credit to get ahead. They set snares to trap those who think that credit is a way to have the things that you want now. People who don’t understand, become easily ensnared with too much debt.
Recently I took out a mortgage on my home. When I signed the papers, she explained that it would be best if I paid as much as possible the first few years over and above my payment, because it would solely go towards the principle of the loan. The principle was the original loan amount. The creditor has the right to take their interest first while paying the principle last. In other words very little of my monthly payment would go towards the real amount for my loan unless I paid extra at the beginning of the loan.
I was amazed at how the rich can rob honest, hard working people in the name of a loan. They have all the power and the intellect to pilfer and plunder those who have to use credit in order to have a home to live in.
Luke 16: 8, “As a result the master of this dishonest manager praised him for doing such a shrewd thing; because the people of this world are much more shrewd in handling their affairs than the people who belong to the light.”
Every where I turn, I find money hungry people inventing schemes to take money from the poor and give it to the rich. Even our government has gotten into the act through the state funded lottery. People have been fooled into believing they can win money without working for it.
Luke 12: 2-5, “Whatever is covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known. So then, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and whatever you have whispered in private in a closed room will be shouted from the housetops.
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot afterward do anything worse. I will show you whom to fear: fear God, who, after killing, has the authority to throw into hell. Believe me, he is the one you must fear!”
Creditors, people in government, friends, loved ones, beware that anything you do that hurts another human being will be seen by God and you will be judged for the pain you inflicted through charging excessive interest on loans. God sees everything and His judgment is final!
I saw a man in ragged clothes who looked like he hadn’t eaten for a while. He unfolded a crumbled dollar bill and handed it to the clerk who promptly gave him a lottery ticket. He didn’t win anything and he left the store with his head hanging down in defeat.
The poor are the easiest target for the rich! They believe what they are buying can save them from the hardness of life. They believe in the schemes of governments and people who are smart financially and as a result bankruptcy is filling our courts.
Of course the banks and credit card companies are not to blame. People make their own choices. If they can’t handle their money then it’s their fault when they accumulate too much debt. They didn’t have to buy the lottery tickets!
Still people are fooled and deceived easily sometimes from the very people they love. I loaned over fifty thousand dollars to a friend and she never paid me back. That is where the biggest hurt can happen. When the people who say they love you take advantage of you so they can get ahead. It would be different if she took responsibility, and at least tried to pay a little, but she didn’t even try, she just cut me out of her life.
Luke 8:17, “What ever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be found and brought to light.”
Our world is filled with evil and everything people do to each other will be found out. You cannot cheat and deceive people without coming under the judgment of God. Your deeds will be discovered and uncovered for all people to see.
Matthew 10: 26-28, “So do not be afraid of people. What ever is now covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known. What I am telling you in the dark you must repeat in broad daylight, and what you have heard in private you must announce from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”
Money is the root of all evil for those who take advantage of people who are good. Money is evil when it is put into the hands of those who don’t care about anyone other than themselves. Be ashamed creditors, bankers and even friends who think they can take whatever they want from those who are not as financially wise.
I have learned a lot and I pass on what I learn in hope that good people will not do evil. I pray if you are a person who works in a financial institute that you will explain clearly to all who borrow money. I pray to all friends who barrow without believing that it isn’t necessary to pay it back that you listen and take heed that God is watching and He will repay those who think they got their money free and clear!
Linda C Dipman author of THE GAME OF LIFE IT’S ALMOST OVER http://outskirtspress.com/gameoflife presents: AND HIS LOVE SHONE DOWN my true life story! It describes all the persecutions I endured. Lovinghandsministry.com
Value Creation Creates Wealth
One of the greatest fallacies pervading in the middle and low classes is the assumption that wealthy people have done something illegal or immoral or both to get the wealth that they possess. On the contrary. In general, rich people have found a way to create so much value for other people that other people are willing to give there money to the rich people for what ever service or commodity the rich people provide.
If you truly want to be rich then you need to find a way to create as much value in the world as possible. Rich people go around asking themselves what they can do better for other people. They understand that if they can make life easier and/or better for as many people as possible, they will get rich.
Poor people on the other hand go around thinking about what the rich people should be doing for them. The poor people have an entitlement mentality that makes them think they are entitled to the rich people’s money because, after all, the rich wouldn’t be rich if the poor didn’t buy product and services from them.
If the poor really wanted to be rich they would begin to think of other people before themselves. One of the greatest ways to get rich is to look at others needs and find something wrong with the world. When a person does this, they will begin to see opportunities to better the lives of those around them. When they turn that opportunity into a business venture, money will follow. It is a universal law that “Wealth follows value creation.” As a person grasps onto these opportunities and creates as much value with them, money will follow.
An easy way to get out of entitlement and to start seeing what others need is to start looking at people as assets instead of things as assets. To often in business, people try to sell a product or service with only the desire to get the commission received from selling the product or service.
Though the end desire of the business owner is to sell, he/she will have much more success if he/she would ask “what can I do to create the greatest amount of value for this individual.” Ironically by not focusing on the sell but rather the individual, the business owner will make more sells.
To often I see people treating everyone they meet as a potential customer. It seems like they are almost always trying to sell each person they meet something right at the onset of the relationship. If people would treat everyone they meet as an asset and look for every opportunity to create value for them, they will most times automatically become clients. The difference is a person makes friends before they become clients instead of the other way around.
A while back I heard a story of a man going into a car dealership looking for a car. He went up to the car salesman and told him, “I want this deal to be the greatest deal you ever made. I want you to make the biggest commission you ever have.” Wow! How many people would tell a car salesman that. As a result the car salesman became one of the man’s clients also. As the man treated the car salesman as an asset rather than the car, he was able to create value in the salesman life and he received wealth in return.
Another great way to create value is for a person to find and discover his/her own unique abilities and talents. Everyone does something that no one else can do. Even if some people can do similar things, no one can do it exactly the same. Everyone is unique and different.
It is these differences that bring great variety to this earth. If a person looks within himself/herself and discovers his/her unique abilities, he/she has just unlocked great opportunities to create value. Thus he/she has created great opportunity for creating wealth.
Everyone has great potential to create value and to receive the wealth they want. They just need to focus on what others need, not what they feel they are entitled to.
Christopher Anderson wants to share his success as a business owner with others who desire to own their own business. He also believes that the economy is stronger with more business owners, and as a result, he is focused on helping business owners succeed. http://www.lonepeakbusiness.com.