Diamonds are a Murderer's Best Friend!

"GORGEOUS DIAMONDS!"

Every year as we approach Valentine's Day, a horde of Commercials appear for the Gifts associated with LOVE. Flowers, Chocolates, Sexy Clothing, and Diamond Jewelry. If we love our Spouses, we must shower them with some Materials Token of that Love. While these Gifts are expensive, most do not know just expensive they actually are to many around the World.

United Nations Page on "Conflict Diamonds"

What harm could come from buying a few Shiny Rocks though? Well, the question turns out to be a complex one. In addition to Conflict Diamonds, Diamonds in General are associated with a number of different illicit activities.

Interesting Course for Law Enforcement on "Criminal Use of Diamonds"

Diamonds are used as Payment for, and Laundering of, innumerable criminal products and services. We are not just talking about Diamonds obtained illegally either. Legally obtained Safe Diamonds are routinely used as a less easily traced method of paying for things that criminals do not want Law Enforcement and/or Governments to know about.

Interesting Wikipedia Article on "Israeli Mafia"

Much of what most people know about Illicit Activities around the World comes from highly stylized depictions of those Activities in Fictional Movies. The Characters and Violence is often portrayed as very infrequent, and always Bigger Than Life. In reality, Violent Crime is actually extremely common. It happens in all 50 States of the Country, every single day of the year. Diamonds are used as payment for quite a bit of it, too.

United States Crime Statistics from 1960-2010

Chart above from: http://home.earthlink.net/~lsiemers/world.htm

Around the World, untold types of violence take place with Diamonds as either the payment for, or cause of, that violence. The Ads for these Valentine's Day Classic Gifts never mention this, however. They also do not mention the harm caused by the Mining of Diamonds that is done legally in places like South Africa.

Slightly older, but interesting Story on Diamonds in South Africa

South Africa's De Beers: The Most Unethical Corporation in the World

There really is not much more that need be said here. It should be obvious by now that I have a personal dislike of Diamonds, and the people who use them to garner Money. Am I of the opinion that Lovers should find some alternative method of demonstrating the Depth of the Love? OF COURSE I AM! Honestly, Diamonds are nothing but Shiny Rocks! Is all the violence and suffering and denial of Basic Human Rights worth it for Shiny Rocks? I sincerely hope that no one reading this is shallow or insane enough to answer that question with a "Yes." If you are, find another Blog.

Peace and Compassion to you.

Jeffrey