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The Most Overlooked Gem?
Spinel is a new birthstone with vivid colors that span the spectrum. It has a spectacular luster, excellent durability, and its current price might be at a low that you will never see again. Here are 13 reasons why I believe that spinel is one of the world’s most overlooked gems.
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Legitimate Diamond Trade
The legitimate diamond trade provides jobs for over 10 million workers and brings prosperity to areas where this activity occurs. Support of the Kimberley Process by all nations and consumers can convert slavery into jobs and smuggling into respected commerce. The efforts are working. Today, almost all of the diamonds brought to retail markets come…
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“Conflict-Free Diamonds”
Nations who agree to participate in the Kimberley process are not permitted to trade with nonmember Nations. The Kimberley Process is believed to have significantly reduced the number of Conflict Diamonds that are reaching international gem markets. Today 81 governments and several non-government organizations abide by the Kimberley Process. The only two nations which remain…
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What is the “Kimberley Process”?
The flow of Conflict Diamonds has originated mainly from Sierra Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. The United Nations and other groups are working to block the entry of conflict diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade. Their approach has been to develop a government certification procedure known as the “Kimberley Process.” This procedure requires each…
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What Are “Conflict Diamonds”?
Blood Diamonds, also known as “Conflict Diamonds,” are stones that are produced in areas controlled by rebel forces that are opposed to internationally recognized governments. The rebels sell these diamonds, and the money is used to purchase arms or to fund their military actions. Blood Diamonds are often produced through the forced labor of men,…
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What Are “Blood Diamonds”?
The movie Blood Diamond traces the path of a large pink diamond found in Sierra Leone in the 1990s by a fisherman working as a slave in a rebel-controlled diamond mine. That diamond changed and ended many lives, and the story of that stone carries a strong social message. The story is interesting fiction, but it is based upon facts. The…
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Emerald Alternatives
“Emerald alternatives” are other natural stones with a green color that are purchased by people who simply want a green gem. They might prefer to own an emerald, but they select the alternative stone instead because of its lower price or other characteristics. Chrome diopside and chrome tourmaline are deep green gems that some people purchase when they want…
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Imitation Emeralds
“Imitations” are materials that have a similar appearance to natural gems and are used in their place. They are often manufactured specifically to serve as substitutes. Green glass, synthetic green spinel, green cubic zirconia, and green yttrium aluminum garnet are common imitations used in place of emerald.
