Conflict Diamonds...Not in Canada!

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blood Diamond caused a worldwide stir when it was produced in the early 2000s, causing girls across the globe to double check if their rock, was actually‘conflict-free.’ The UN sets strict rules, which state conflict-free these gemstones must not come from an area involved in war by soldiers that are fighting in direct opposition UN recognized leaders. Diamonds from conflict areas sell to big jewelry corporations often provide the cash needed for the militant groups to over throw the government. Blood Diamond shows how this scenario has serious moral implications.

Before you read further, make sure you checkout this awesome guide to buying an engagement ring

It’s important that you know, diamonds also can be purchased from other parts of the Earth. If you or your bride is particularly worried about buying a stone from or next to a war zone (remember that other parts of Africa were previously conflict-zones) in the African continent, than one of these non-African mines may be for you.

The most popular, and newest conflict-free diamond producing country is just above of the United States (where most of gemstones such as diamonds are bought) in Canada. In the 1990’s in the Northwest region, diamond mines were opened, under humane conditions, and diamond producers have been finding more and more stones ever since.

In fact, Canada is now the third leading value producer of diamonds in the world. Canada actually produced more diamonds just beating out South Africa

Stones from Canada besides just being guaranteed conflict free and mined in humane conditions, have a number of other very desirable traits. 

These include: high clarity, very few imperfections, and near-white color grades. Some jewelry boutiques are also now offering CA stones as a way to display to customers that what they offer is guaranteed conflict-free. Due to high demand, stones like these are often more expensive than stones that come from Africa. This is also due to the fact that there are simply not as many diamonds from The northwest territories, and that giving human beings humane conditions costs more money to the company. That expense, in some ways, is billed to the consumer.

If you’re the type of purchaser who is willing to pay a little bit more for a ring created by people in happier working conditions, than a diamond purchased from a Canadian mine might just be the choice for you.