blood diamond

@msqtech (15074)
United States
December 12, 2006 10:54am CST
I wonder what you all think about a diamond boycott to stop some of the horror in Africa I think if all women and men refused to accept diamond gifts then the diamond industry would have to clean up their act and get serious about keeping blood diamonds out of the marketplace. What say you?
6 people like this
54 responses
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
12 Dec 06
It is very sad, but even if you boycott them, the stuff going on there is going to continue. It's been this way for many decades. I remember there being a boycott of diamonds years ago and it obviously didn't do any good. I was once a participant in a boycott against a huge corporation that was teaching African mothers to use their baby formula but not teaching the need for clean water to mix it so babies were dying all over. That boycott did work.
2 people like this
@msqtech (15074)
• United States
13 Dec 06
If there is no market they wont sell them. Women have been boycotting fur and have hurt the industry so we should just do the same to the diamond industry
2 people like this
@nannacroc (4049)
12 Dec 06
Personally I'd rather have chocolate than a diamond and I completely agree with you. If the diamond industry were hit in the pocket they would have to make changes. The problem is that the people who can afford the most expensive diamonds are the ones that don't care how the people who mine them are treated.
1 person likes this
@edras_2 (299)
• United States
12 Dec 06
You said a mouthfull there!I,also think more education is needed before anythimg is going change over there.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I would have to agree But I dont think it will ever happen.
• Australia
13 Dec 06
diamond - diamond
yes thats what i think too.
@msqtech (15074)
• United States
13 Dec 06
If each person takes a stand there will be enough of us to make a difference
1 person likes this
@krankies (811)
• United States
13 Dec 06
There are only certain locations mined that you should not purchase. Talk with your local jwelery stores, all their diamonds should come with paper work stating that they were purchased from mines that did not help with the promotion of war.
@lumanci (1111)
• Italy
12 Dec 06
I believe that you perfectly have reason both the men that the women he should boycott this kind of commerce for the maximum respect of the nature.
1 person likes this
@coolcager (496)
• Costa Rica
13 Dec 06
it will never stop. Because it is run by some mafia or a big group that can kill. And you cant clean there acts maybe some government officials are on there side. because this is about money.
1 person likes this
• Nigeria
7 Jul 08
its true, but i think diamond(the hardest substance on earth) is a natural resource giving to us by th fther of nature. h knows we will need them tht is why he gave us. it just that some greedy people choose to kill innocent soul because of this preocious gift from god. should we blame god for giving us diamonds or blame ourselves for loss of concience which is the world greatest problem?
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I suppose its for a good cause but you don't have to worry about me...I can't afford diamonds and I doubt that anyone will buy one for me.
• United States
12 Dec 06
no money for the bling?
@jmcafam (2890)
• United States
21 Aug 07
I would boycott the diamond industry. I don't really care for them. The people that have to get them are not being treated fairly by far.
@bluuyze (67)
• United States
13 Dec 06
I love diamonds and if i were to receive one, I would not refuse it. Even if I "stop" buying blood diamonds (if I had the money for them anyway) Not enough people in the world would be willing to stop purchasing diamonds, so what is the point? Same as when my boyfriend gets bad service at a restaurant, he stops going to the whole entire chain! They are not going to suffer because you take one customer away, trust me. If i like the food, I'm still going.
• United States
13 Dec 06
Blood diamonds - Diamonds are forever
Diamonds are beautiful
• United States
13 Dec 06
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council. in the U.S., anyway, the Kemberly Process has been in effect since 2003 and apparently, 99% of imported diamonds are not conflict free and are documented. Of course, the best way to make sure you are not supporting these factions is to ask for documentation from your jeweler and to ask questions.
@msqtech (15074)
• United States
13 Dec 06
My point is we shouldnt have to ask if the industry cant provide the diamonds without providing the blood diamonds then we boycott the industry
• United States
18 Mar 07
I think that a boycott might help, but the reality is, the people who buy the largest number of diamonds on a regular basis are not going to participate in the boycott. As long as a diamond means forever, it'll be hard to convince people that they shouldn't buy them.
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
13 Mar 08
Hi msqtech, I do not wear or buy any diamonds. The only kind I've ever bought, i forget the full name, but some word before diamond (or was it crystal), that I assume is fake, because at Claire's store, it's these earrings that look like diamond, but they were only a couple of dollars (less than $5)! And sometimes they come on a little plastic sheet with some corny other earring studs too. ;o) So, at least I do not take the diamond path.
• Australia
19 Mar 08
Yes i think a boycott will probably make the black market price stronger. I dont like the idea of blood diamonds, the whole thing is far from the glamour we assosiate them with.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
7 Feb 07
I agree completely, but sadly we both know that it will not happen. Everyone will claim support for such action, if only to display their moral integrity to the world, but will then find a plausable reason to buy a new diamond ring or bracelet. The usual excuses are "1 ring is not going to make a difference" or "It's already in the shop, so leaving it there will not help". Basically, most people approve of others making the sacrifices and stands, while they simply voice their approval and support.
@hijas007 (1386)
• India
20 Feb 07
a movie is now ther starring leonardo....what do you think of movie? is it worth to watch it?
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
i didn't know that something like that was happening somwhere in this now politically correct world until i saw the movie. it is such a horrible thing to do. i completely agree that if we boycott diamonds, maybe the violence would be gone altogether. it's just so unhumane!
@poppydoo (22)
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Diamond boycott is not a solution. if only some nice country (or UN) could intervene with current situations with countries operating on blood diamonds the people there might have a chance. As I have observed, more countries in africa once liberated from colonists have civil wars brewed up all over their people. as we all know africa is rich in natural resources. If only helpful organizations reach out to these countries and educate its people how to harvest and use it wisely.
@asturmas (251)
• Portugal
20 Feb 07
The film blood diamond is very nice! Have a nice day
@mdbpineda (219)
• Philippines
11 Mar 07
i saw the movie blood diamond. i saw the situation of people in africa.Diamonds trigger the people to do bad things to other people or the environment. For me diamond is not that important to the soceit it is just a status symbol, a symbol of difference between poor people and rich people. I agrre that people should boycott diamonds and start having a concern to other people specially in africa.