Diamonds are beautiful gemstones that for decades have come to represent true love and commitment. Whether you pick your diamond out with your fiancé, leave it to him, or provide subtle “hints” along the way, knowing the history of your diamond is important....

After all, it’s a once in a lifetime purchase, and you want to make sure your diamond will be cherished always.

There’s more to a diamond than the 4Cs of color, cut, clarity and carat weight that matter. Conscience is often known as the “fifth C” – that is the peace of mind to know that your diamond originates from socially responsible methods.

Did you know that some diamonds have helped fund devastating civil wars in Africa, ending the lives of millions? These conflict diamonds or blood diamonds are often associated with human rights abuses, including child and slave labor, and are used as currency for terrorist organizations. They have been mined with wholesale disregard for the environment, often leaving a barren moonscape where was once fertile land. Despite widespread acknowledgement in the industry of the problem of conflict diamonds, they continue to be smuggled across country borders to evade the primitive controls established by local governments and then enter the general supply. Only a small portion of diamonds are tracked all the way back to their point of origin to ensure that they are conflict free, environmentally responsible, and produced with fair labor practices.

Conflict free diamonds are guaranteed to originate from sources that are not associated with war-torn regions and are mined, cut, and polished in an ethically responsible manner. These diamond sources are audited and carefully monitored to ensure they have not been contaminated by conflict diamonds. Most conflict free diamonds originate from Canadian mines, where processes now exist to carefully verify the origin of the diamonds and the conditions in which they are produced. Unfortunately, not all diamonds labeled as Canadian are monitored through all steps of processing to ensure that they are not mixed in with conflict diamonds and are cut and polished with fair labor practices.

What can you do?

• Make an informed purchase that reflects your values. Through your purchases, you can change the future of the jewelry industry and help end the trade in conflict diamonds forever.
   
• Ask your jeweler where they source their diamonds from and how they can verify they are conflict free and produced with fair labor practices.
   
• Tell others considering diamond purchases about conflict diamond issues to spread awareness.
   
• Read more about conflict diamond issues at www.globalwitness.org.

Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth is a socially responsible jeweler specializing in the finest quality conflict free diamonds and environmentally responsible gold & platinum. Brilliant Earth offers loose diamonds, engagement & wedding rings, earrings, and pendants as well as custom jewelry design. Contact Brilliant Earth at www.brilliantearth.com or 1-800-691-9052.

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