Whole Life Times: Diamonds Are a Girl’s Green Friend

April 2005 | Co-op America’s Living Green

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Green Friend

Dear Co-op America, Thanks for your last column about ethical gold. Is there such a thing as ethical diamonds? —Concerned in Chicago

Ethical options for gems, including diamonds, are emerging.

Conventional gemstone mining can be hazardous. Diamond miners often work in unsafe conditions, and dust from mines can cause respiratory disease in community residents as well as workers. Mining of colored gemstones is generally done on a smaller scale than diamond mining, but still holds risks. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), many small-scale miners receive low prices for their stones and thus are unable to invest in equipment that could prevent accidents. Because mining involves moving large amounts of earth, it can also harm local ecosystems. And the ILO has also documented child labor in mines.

In Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone, profits from diamond sales have funded weapons purchases for groups that perpetrate human rights abuses. In Burma, trade in rubies helps fund the abusive military junta that keeps democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest.

The United Nations officially recognized the frequent role of “conflict diamonds” in fueling and prolonging violent conflicts and urged the diamond industry to develop a global tracking system. In January 2003, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (kimberleyprocess.com ) began requiring that export diamonds be shipped in tamper-proof containers along with certificates guaranteeing the packages are free of conflict diamonds. Receiving countries must certify that they have not been tampered with.

Human rights groups have acknowledged the progress that the Kimberley Process has made, but urge participants to adopt independent verification to guard against loopholes in the system.

Brian Leber, president of Leber Jeweler Inc. (708.246.1455, leberjeweler.com), and Eric Braunwart, president of Columbia Gem House, Inc./Tri-Gem Designs (360.514.0569, fairtradegems.com), are urging the colored gem industry to join the diamond industry in moving toward more sustainable practices.

Braunwart has developed a system that applies fair trade principles to the production of colored gemstones. Columbia Gem House’s extensive protocols include environmental protection, fair labor practices at the cutting and jewelry factories, and a tight chain of custody.

Some of Columbia’s gems are turned into jewelry at its Tri-Gem Design subsidiary, while others are sold to jewelry retailers such as Leber Jeweler Inc. and Sumiche Jewelry Co. (541.896.9841, sumiche.com).

For other responsible jewelry companies, consult Co-op America’s National Green Pages™. Or, get your jewelry secondhand or remake a piece of jewelry you already own. Also, let retailers know that you’re concerned about issues surrounding gemstone production, and ask whether they are addressing such concerns.

Dear Co-op America, Where can I find information on tax rebates for solar panels? —John G., Boulder, Colorado

There are no federal incentives currently available, but several states have a variety of tax credit programs. For an overview of all state programs, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy at dsireusa.org.

Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a national nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, call 800.58-GREEN, coopamerica.org. E-mail your Living Green questions.

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