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« Previous EntriesPoll Shows Opposition to Pebble Mine
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009A 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 [...]
The Kimberley Process Fails Badly in Zimbabwe
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009Since 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 [...]
Kimberley Process Reviews Angola
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009Over 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 [...]
Guest Blog: Words from a Brilliant Earth Intern
Monday, September 28th, 2009Brilliant 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 [...]
Top Ten Favorite Brilliant Earth Customer Quotes
Saturday, September 26th, 2009Over 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 [...]
Death of Ethically Aimed Geologist, Campbell Bridges
Thursday, August 27th, 2009On 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 [...]
Top Ten Things to Look for in a Jeweler
Thursday, August 6th, 2009An 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 [...]
Zimbabwe Suspension Pending Approval
Thursday, August 6th, 2009Amid 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 [...]
Study Shows Most Brides Take Part in Engagement Ring Selection
Friday, July 24th, 2009Tracking an upward trend, wedding website The Knot recently surveyed 9,000 newlywed couples and found that 67 percent of the brides were involved in the selection and/or purchase of their engagement rings. The results reflect an increase of 5 percent from just a few years ago. The website also tracked shopping habits in cases where [...]
Kimberley Process Team Investigates Zimbabwe
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009In response to ongoing reports of government corruption and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe’s diamond fields, a Kimberley Process review team has recently visited the country to assess its diamond industry first-hand. After a week-long investigation, the review team has confirmed beliefs that Zimbabwe’s military and police were complicit in widespread violence and human rights [...]
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