Decius wrote:
] ] Ten Reasons Why You Should Never Accept a Diamond Ring
] ] from Anyone, Under Any Circumstances, Even If They Really
] ] Want to Give You One

Except that diamonds are a very large part of those indigenous people's economies and lessening the demand for them hurts the people instead of the malevolent companies that mine the diamonds. It's one of the few ways that some of those people can make a living, and the bigger issue is not what comprises the work but the management's responsibility to provide healthy work environments at little or no environmental and societal cost. When considering such a large economic force, it is important to consider that the workers are not usually to blame and shouldn't be the ones to suffer economic hardship when the system undergoes much needed adjustments from external pressure. Accept or don't accept the diamond; either way, a more proactive approach to this problem would be to write your congressman, join lobbying groups, organize awareness programs, etc.

-janelane

maggie wrote:
I'll take a vintage diamond anyday. Better yet, a very big, vintage, natural alexandrite.

I was at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History last month and saw the Hope Diamond. While standing there looking at this big hunk of blue rock, I whispered to Timball, "Imagine how many dozens of people have been killed over that thing"

Imagine how many people die over the expropriation of natural resources period, not to mention ones that have their market price arbitrarily set. Oh the list can go on and on. Lets not even get into diamond marketing. Clearly the age old ploy of having someone buy you a shiny rock as a sign of their love has worn thin, and they have moved to the "right hand ring" so now diamonds can also be a sign of your independence.

p.s. previous comment was not mine

Gee, someone sure sounds like a superficial, materialistic cunt.

maggie wrote:
I'll take a vintage diamond anyday. Better yet, a very big, vintage, natural alexandrite.