Should the sale of diamonds be outlawed?

[DrWeird]

<http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040129_2261.html >

The sale of ivory is illegal because the poaching of elephants endangered the species.

Yet untold thousands of human beings have been and are being murdered and maimed, because of the lucrative diamond mines in west africa. You can buy diamonds from non conflict areas if you want, although apparently the system for labelling non conflict diamonds is voluntary and not that common. I don't think we can trust de Beers to do what's in the best interest of humanity. Synthetic ivory is still legal, and I believe walrus tusk ivory is legal as well, but the sale of elephant ivory is strictly outlawed. Should diamonds that have not been identified as coming from non conflict areas also be outlawed?

[Valjean]

1. NO

No, it's unreasonable to constrict this trade.

Besides, there are two companies out there that are now producing gem quality artificial diamonds. DeBeers is positively scared shitless. In 10 years, DeBeers will be powerless.

These techniques will also lead to the creation of sheeet diamond that can be used in semi-conductors and armored glass. Hopefully, they will find cheap ways to produce VERY long strands of carbon nanotubes as well producing fabrics of amazing strength and lightness.

The 21st century will be the century of carbon!!!!!

[Don Claybrook]

3. But why is it unreasonable to "constrict this trade"?

I think it's unreasonable to murder people over minerals. I can't claim to know enough about the particulars of the diamond industry to know what sort of remedy to recommend, but to dismiss a potential ban out of hand seems odd. Do tell.

[Valjean]

9. Because it will never happen

Sorry, but restricting the diamond trade will accomplish nothing but pissing off women and their fiancees. Beyond this, you'll drive up the cost of diamond drill bits that are used virtually anywhere you would use a normal drill bit.

The volume of artificial diamonds will increase year by year and the volume of money going to rebels will steadily decrease. In ten years, mining diamonds will be virtually worthless since the manufactured variety are FLAWLESS!!!!

In fact, this is the ONLY way DeBeers can tell the difference between their stuff and the manufactured variety. The real ones all have subtle flaws to some extent. They also laser etch their stuff and have a branding campaign. But the jewelers don't care because the manufactured stuff is cheaper and hence they can make more profit on the manufactured kind.

It's great to know that Pat Robertson's diamond mines will be worthless in ten years. Now if we can only invent a practical alchemy practice, we can put Bush Sr's gold mines out of business ;-)

[petrock2004]

5. yes, down with debeers and up with carbon!!

although i have to add guiltily that another reason i think we shouldn't stop selling diamonds is that i reeeally really like my engagement ring... teehee... *guilty grin*

but don't worry, it's one of those non-debeers ones. we made sure.

and carbon is a very exciting field - i just spent 3 years in college for materials science, and although i've since "bailed out" because i was bored to death, there's some really really neat things coming out of carbon. and, valjean, it's nice to see someone else out there with an interest in such things.

:toast:

[Fescue4u]

2. NO, but Debeers needs to be dissolved

Debeers is corrupt as they come.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Diamonds need to be demystified

They are a relatively common gem stone that is found on almost every continent. Besides as a post above mentions, researchers at UF have come up with a way to make gem stone quality diamonds in the lab. It's time for DeBeers to take the money and run, we don't need their stinking diamonds.

[Beearewhyain]

6. Yes, if for no other reason than

Debeers is a monopoly of the worst kind. The truth is that diamonds are not as valuable or rare as the price would make you believe. Debeers strictly controls the amount and quality of just about all the diamonds in the world market thereby manipulating the prices. If a new mine is found in another part of the world, they buy them out. Not to mention the way they have treated labor over the years. They are the definition of the worst of capitalism.


On Edit: Spill Chuck

[arewethereyet]

15. you got that breakup of the USSR really hurt them

there were tons (literally) of diamonds coming out of the government vaults and de Beers had to spend a lot to buy them so that they could maintain the pricing.

[tomorrowsashes]

7. Check out this video

I don't know. I am against the government telling people what they can and cannot buy, but I'm also against the killing of innocent people, and the pigs at DeBeers getting rich. I don't think that banning their sale completely eliminate it anyways, as there would be a lucrative black market that had no incentive to function within human decency.

This video is disturbing:
http://gnn.tv/diamondlife/

[Tinoire]

17. Kicking for this video! Must see for EVERYONE!

Guys- save your hard-earned money- buy Moissanite diamonds. You can NOT tell the difference and you will be doing a LOT of good.

Watch this video and tell me those diamonds are worth it.

Ladies, think how more peacefully you'll sleep at night!

The diamond cabal is one of the worst in this world- responsible for so many tears...

I got rid of mine. Will never wear a real diamond (or many other gem-stones) again until they straighten out these obscenities.

Peace and welcome to DU Tomorrowsashes! :toast: You're going to fit right in!

[soothsayer]

8. maybe time to get rid of the price fixing on these common minerals

cartels control the price---that is, keep 'em artificially high. They should actually be pretty inexpensive except for the RICO-type price fixing.

[Carl Spackler]

10. But then only outlaws will have diamonds!

[LostInTheMaise]

11. No more than coke, horse or opium should be

Which trade kills more innocents?

[Fleshdancer]

12. I think so

The only thing that makes me waffle on the issue is that it wouldn't be fair to the ethical Canadian miners.

Plus, we think of diamonds only being used for jewelry, but aren't diamonds used for other, more industrial uses? I obviously don't know enough about that part, but it should be taken into consideration if I'm right.

If you must have a diamond, buy Canadian. That's my rule...not that I NEED diamonds or anything.

[Devlzown]

13. I wouldn't outlaw them, but

I think people should make it something to brag about when they buy artificial diamonds instead of the slave diamonds. People should show off their stones to their friends and tell them how these beautiful stones didn't cause third world misery while making some cartel richer. And they should also be sure to mention what they're doing with all the money they saved.

[Misinformed01]

14. I refuse to wear one

and married the man that refused to buy one.

Horrible history; horrible present.

[Beaker]

16. NO. but don't worry DeBeers days are numbered-

read this article.

http://wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/diamond.html

[grok]

18. Quite correct

I saw a two hour documentary recently on the new breed of "artifical" diamond making machines.

Not only were early man-made diamonds much smaller, but TOO perfect. easily detected with laser refracting and imaging technology. Portable and many jewelers could easily afford them,

Now man-made diamonds can be massive, but can be made with the natural imperfections in light refracture that MAKE them indistinguishable from naturals.

In fact, to keep them from being mixed, the newer man-made ones are laser etched with identifying information. It is only a matter of time till somebody decides not to do so anymore.

grok