On a recent sojourn to my local Goldsmith’s jewellers, I was pleased to discover that Goldsmith’s diamonds are all conflict free. I hinted to my partner that perhaps he could buy me an engagement ring from Goldsmiths, but he looked rather concerned, so I have given up on that one. Back to my point, Goldsmith’s acquire all their diamonds through legitimate sources that have no involvement in funding conflicts and all diamonds comply with the United Nations Resolution.
The diamond trade in Africa is financing the activities of a range of rebel groups, causing death and suffering to hundreds of thousands of people and that is apart from the environmental issues of diamond mining in general.
Goldsmith’s also support the ‘No Dirty Gold Campaign,’ which increases awareness amongst manufacturers, retailers and the general public about the impact of gold mining.
Open cast gold mines pour cyanide onto the land, which releases toxic substances like arsenic, contaminating the environment. Gold mines also have high levels of mercury in the air around them and a large gold mine uses up 220 gallons of water a minute.
See www.diamondfacts.org for more information.
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes