Rare is the object that symbolises both love and violence, but such rarity is only fitting for one of the world’s most elusive rocks - the diamond. Diamond mines don’t just yield precious stones, they also sow seeds of violence, wars, economic exploitation, environmental destruction, and profound human suffering.
Over the past 20 years, seven African nations have been engulfed in brutal civil strife driven by diamonds. The wealth generated by diamond trade often fuels insurgencies and military factions in these regions. This, in turn, leads to famine, widespread death, and egregious human rights violations, ranging from the weaponization of rape to the recruitment of child soldiers, as rival groups vie for control over diamond-rich territories (1). The depletion of natural resource revenue in these nations is also profoundly damaging. Zimbabwe, for instance, exported diamonds valued at $2.5 billion between 2010 and 2018, yet only $300 million was returned to the country (1). Additionally, India stands out for its egregious exploitation of child labor, with approximately 20 percent of diamond workers being children, marking it as a hotspot for some of the most severe child labor violations (1).
Thankfully, there is an alternative to such tragedy. Humane lab-grown diamonds (that cost even less) have made significant progress in recent years. Lab-grown diamonds are cultivated within meticulously controlled laboratory environments, replicating the natural formation process of diamonds within the Earth's mantle. These diamonds showcase identical chemical and optical properties to natural diamonds, as they are composed of the same elemental components. The only problem? There is great value in rarity and unfortunately the consumers of the diamond industry represent yet another instance of putting our superficial wants and desires above the intrinsic needs and basic rights of others.
Faced with the growing presence of lab-grown gems in the diamond market, the Diamond Producers Association conducted a public opinion study titled “What Women Really Want”. The study revealed that women prioritise items deemed “genuine, unique, not mass-produced, and have inherent meaning and value.” (1) Nearly 9 out of 10 respondents concurred with the notion that authenticity is paramount when indulging in luxury purchases. Such consumer sentiments starkly overlook the widespread human rights violations prevalent within the diamond industry. With readily accessible online information, there is no longer a necessity to rely on the industry's biased narrative of "love is natural”; more ethical and compassionate alternatives should be supported.
Rather than focusing on materialistic items, one might find there is plenty of beauty all around that doesn’t come at the cost of thousands of dollars or lives. As the lyrics of Colours of the Wind urge, “come roll in all the riches all around you, and for once, never wonder what they're worth”. We assign value - it is a mere concept, and perhaps it should be one assigned to memories and experiences, rather than objects that cause bloodshed.
Citations
1 Salisbury, David. “Diamonds in the Rough: How Do Deeply Corrupt Industries Become Sustainable?” California Management Review, 11 Mar. 2019, cmr.berkeley.edu/2019/03/diamonds/.
2 “Blood Diamonds.” Time, Time, time.com/blood-diamonds/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
Komentarze