My boyfriend, now fiance (YAY!), is a socially conscious type. He told me that he absolutely refused to buy a blood diamond. Blood diamonds are warlord-controlled diamonds mined in some countries in Africa that use child labor. The profits from these diamonds are normally used to fund civil wars in Africa. Most NON-blood diamonds are found in Canada; the only other mass producer of diamonds next to countries in Africa.
The other option for purchasing a socially conscious diamond is to purchase estate or vintage engagement rings as a way of recycling. On a personal level, I love estate or vintage jewelry because its unique.
He decided to find a reputable jeweler who sold estate jewelry here in SF. He went to a couple of places, but found that Dianne's Old & New Estates was the best. He said that the person who helped him, Natalya, listened to what he was looking for and did not pressure him into buying anything he didn't want.
Thank you, Natalya for your patience in helping us find the perfect ring!
For more information on Blood Diamonds, please check out the following links
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