Diamonds and Jims (Gems)

            Blood diamonds are diamonds that are mined in war-zone areas and whose profits are used to fund wars.  They are also called conflict diamonds, dirty diamonds, and war diamonds.  These diamonds are mined in Africa, in heavy war-zone areas, making them fairly risky to get.  There are so many wars going in these areas because people are fighting over control of the land.  Most of the people who are fighting over this land have never even seen a diamond.  Once the diamonds are exported, they’re mixed in with other diamonds, which sellers then claim to all be “conflict-free” diamonds. 

           

          The movie “Blood Diamond” heavily focuses on these diamonds and the struggle to get a hold of them (hence the title).  This film does an awesome job portraying people who want these diamonds and the fields that hold them more than anything.  In “Blood Diamond,” you can truly see how people will do anything to get a hold of something of value, no matter if they have to become a smuggler or force children to be soldiers (two other major problems in Africa that this film depicts).  The film also goes on to explain how most of the world’s diamonds are stored underground and how diamond companies have all control over how many diamonds are brought out and sold.  This is how the companies keep the demand and price of diamonds high.

 

            After watching this movie and learning all these horrible things, I felt that I would never even want to own a real diamond.  I would not want to fund the practice of illegal mining and war just so that I can show off my engagement ring to all my friends.  Since America purchases about two-thirds of the world’s diamonds, we are most guilty for these wars in Africa.  However, most people don’t know about these issues and the battle that was fought for their jewelry.  More people should learn about this, and we, as consumers, should stress the fact that all the diamonds we purchase are conflict-free and come from mines and not war areas.

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