UN Security Council Extends Ban on Diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire
By B. Earth | November 12, 2009
Measures by the United Nations to prevent the export of diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire will continue into the foreseeable future. Last week the United Nations Security Council voted to extend sanctions on the West African nation for another year. Those sanctions ban other states from importing diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire while also imposing an arms embargo on the country and restricting travel for certain individuals. The diamond trade ban has been in effect since 2005; the arms and travel restrictions were imposed in 2004. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Company News, Conflict Diamond Issues, In the News, Mining Issues, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Kimberly Process Chooses Not to Suspend Zimbabwe
By B. Earth | November 9, 2009
Once again demonstrating its inadequacy at ensuring the ethical mining of diamonds, the Kimberley Process (KP) has opted to let Zimbabwe off the hook for grave human rights abuses taking place in the country’s mining fields. Those abuses are not the work of a private mining company but are being instigated by Zimbabwe’s own government. Instead of suspending Zimbabwe from the global initiative to clean up the diamond industry, the KP has proposed a “work plan” for the troubled nation. This amounts to a light slap on the wrist for practices that deserve no accommodation within a diamond certification program that supposedly ensures “conflict free diamonds”. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Company News, Conflict Diamond Issues, In the News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Poll Shows Opposition to Pebble Mine
By B. Earth | October 27, 2009
A controversial proposal to build an enormous gold and copper mine in an environmentally-sensitive region of Alaska has run into a roadblock: local opinion. A recent poll by an Anchorage-based research firm has found that 79 percent of residents in nearby communities are against the proposed Pebble Mine project. The poll should hopefully cause a bit of soul-searching by the two companies planning to establish the mine, Anglo American PLC and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. The poll is also likely to enter into the thinking of political leaders who would need to give the go-ahead before any mining could begin. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Mining Issues, Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Kimberley Process Fails Badly in Zimbabwe
By B. Earth | September 30, 2009
Since 2008, Zimbabwe has been a major perpetrator of grave diamond-related human rights abuses, including numerous accounts of robbery, rape, and murder. We, at Brilliant Earth, are appalled by these events, as well as the failure of the KP (KP) and the diamond industry to address these atrocities.
After months of international concern over the human rights violations raging in Zimbabwe’s diamond fields, the KP finally ordered a review mission. The review team confirmed that Zimbabwe was practicing serious non-compliance with KP standards, as well as extreme human rights abuses. The delegation finally issued a recommendation that Zimbabwe be suspended from the scheme. In spite of this, Zimbabwe still has not been officially suspended from the KP. Read the rest of this entry »
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Kimberley Process Reviews Angola
By B. Earth | September 29, 2009
Over the past four years, Angola has avoided being scrutinized in the conflict diamond trade, but recent allegations of human rights abuses have plunged this war-torn nation back into the international spotlight.
Last month, investigators for the Kimberley Process conducted a long overdue mission to Angola, the first since 2005. The team visited northern Angola, where recent reports of diamond smuggling and the mistreatment of foreign miners have made for tense border relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As suspected, the current investigation uncovered numerous accounts of rape and brutality against miners from neighboring countries. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Conflict Diamond Issues, In the News, Mining Issues, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Guest Blog: Words from a Brilliant Earth Intern
By B. Earth | September 28, 2009
Brilliant Earth intern, Alexis, had some great insights into corporate social responsibility and the mining industry as a result of research that she conducted in Sierra Leone.
“My first trip to Brilliant Earth was not for the usual reasons that most women visit. I would love to say I was arriving to purchase a diamond halo set engagement ring or in search of a yellow cushion sapphire as a gift to myself. I did not come for a job interview either. No, I ended up at Brilliant Earth on a completely different note. Read the rest of this entry »
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Top Ten Favorite Brilliant Earth Customer Quotes
By B. Earth | September 26, 2009
Over the years, our customers have shared beautiful words with us about their experience with Brilliant Earth. We thought it was time to share our favorites! Careful, some of these are tearjerkers.
1. I’d like to send a thank you to your company for putting so much thought and responsible action into offering ethical diamond diamonds and recycled precious metals. It makes the gift that much more meaningful to us. We’re both globally minded geologists, and thanks to your company, I’m able to practice what I preach and smile a little bigger each time I see the ring on my beautiful wife-to-be’s finger. Damon, Ozark, MO - August 2009
2. To have the opportunity to be able to design something with the person you will be spending the rest of your life with is one thing. But, to get to have those special pieces be made a reality by such thoughtful people whom go out of their way to make sure that not even one person is disrespected along the way is priceless. To be wearing the best made by the best, makes my man and I feel on top of the world! We had some crazy ideas and requests for our custom designed rings, and were pretty nervous about what we were asking for. But, BE gave us nothing but smiles, reassurance, excitement….and then perfection! It really is better than anything I ever imagined. They are setting better standards for the jewelry industry and how we treat each other globally! Joy, Oakland, CA - November, 2008
3. Brilliant Earth exceeded all of my expectations. Being a cynical guy I expected an experience similar to buying a car where I get pressured into things I do not need, jerked around on the price, and walk out of the showroom with the distinct feeling that I just got screwed. In reality, I am extremely pleased with every aspect of my buying experience at Brilliant Earth and cannot be happier about the company’s direct alignment with the value I see in protecting human and environmental rights. Chris, Sacramento, CA - August, 2009 Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Company News, Customer Qs, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Death of Ethically Aimed Geologist, Campbell Bridges
By B. Earth | August 27, 2009
On Tuesday August 11, Campbell Bridges, a Scottish geologist best known for discovering the green Tvasorite gem unique to Southern Kenya, was attacked outside of the town of Voi. A mob of approximately twenty men approached the mine owner, his son, and four of his staff members on his 600-acre property, attacking them with home made weapons, including arrows and clubs. A knife wound was said to be the cause of death. Read the rest of this entry »
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Top Ten Things to Look for in a Jeweler
By B. Earth | August 6, 2009
An engagement and/or wedding ring is not only one of the biggest purchases of your life, but is also a lasting and important symbol of your lifetime together as a couple. Before taking the leap, make sure that you shop around for jewelers and learn to ask all of the right questions:
1. Look for a jeweler with a clear conflict-free diamond policy. Their policy should be both in print and listed on their official website. In addition to ensuring Kimberley Process compliance, the policy should address social and environmental issues. Avoid policies that do not address human rights abuses or environmental impact, or those that rely solely on compliance with the Kimberley Process.
On top of the printed policy, make sure that your jeweler can answer your questions regarding your gem’s origins. They should be able to identify the name of the mine and provide independent verification of its social and environmental responsibility. They should also be able to tell you how they track their stones from mine to the finished product.
2. Look for a jeweler that uses recycled metals wherever possible. Much commercial gold comes from mines in developing countries that employ children and adults in inhumane conditions and leave behind massive quantities of toxic waste, including cyanide, mercury, and arsenic. Less than 25% of gold used in jewelry comes from recycled sources when in fact gold and platinum can be endlessly recycled without compromise to their quality and without the environmental impact of newly mined metals.
3. Look for a jeweler with a wide range of ring designs. Every gal is different, and you’ll want to make sure that your ring design perfectly suits your style and personality. Brilliant Earth offers five unique design collections: Classic, Natural, Antique, Glamorous and Modern. Our rings are available with numerous different stones, settings and materials, ensuring that you end up with a perfect style fit. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Customer Qs, Style Watch, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Zimbabwe Suspension Pending Approval
By B. Earth | August 6, 2009
Amid strong evidence of the Zimbabwe government and military’s direct involvement in brutal attacks on diamond miners in the country’s Marange district, a Kimberley Process delegation has at long last recommended that Zimbabwe be suspended from the scheme. For months, international human rights groups have called for Zimbabwe’s expulsion from the Kimberley Process, which is the industry’s sole effort to keep conflict diamonds out of legitimate markets. The failure of the KP to act sooner was cited as one of the reasons for KP architect Ian Smillie’s resignation earlier this year. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: In the News, Mining Issues, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
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