Article on Illicit Diamond Trade Charges Highlights the Ever-Present Need for Responsibly-Sourced Diamonds, Says Louis Saint Dupont
(PRWEB) September 09, 2015 -- According to an article published August 31 by CNN, charges have recently been brought against a U.S. citizen alleging that he participated in the illegal Sierra Leone diamond trade, which fueled a bloody civil war that lasted over a decade. The article notes that previous trials have proven how negatively even one person’s involvement could damage the lives of a great many people, so the trial will therefore largely focus on proving that the involvement occurred. According to Los Angeles based diamond retailer Louis Saint Dupont, this story is an important reminder of how recent this dark period in the history of the international diamond business was, and just how important it is that diamond retailers do everything they can to ensure that diamonds are conflict-free.
Louis Saint Dupont notes that one of the best ways to know that a diamond is conflict-free is by verifying the mine or country of origin. In their case, they explain that all of their diamonds come from Canadian mines where labor is treated fairly and, obviously, violence is never an issue. While some retailers opt for artificial diamonds created in a lab in order to ensure their wares are conflict-free, Louis Saint Dupont notes that their customers have commented time and time again that they can only appreciate the true value and rarity of a diamond if they know that it came from the earth, rather than a sterile lab.
As an additional safeguard, Louis Saint Dupont notes that all of their diamonds are certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The GIA report can tell shoppers a great deal about the diamond including specifics about the cut, clarity, color, and symmetry. Yet, Louis Saint Dupont notes that a GIA report on its own cannot say for sure whether or not a processed diamond is conflict-free. However, if a diamond has a paper trail leading back to the mine, the independent assessment can be an additional piece of evidence proving a diamond is conflict-free if the characteristics of the diamond match those of the diamond described in the certificates of origin.
Louis Saint Dupont notes that, although the world is now united against conflict-diamonds, some questionable diamonds are likely still floating around the market, so it is still important to be diligent about diamond selection. Anyone interested in seeing the wide range of conflict-free diamond jewelry available from Louis Saint Dupont can call their Los Angeles showroom at 888-316-0290 or browse their selection online at http://www.LouisSaintDupont.com.
Michael Clauw, Cyberset Corp, +1 (818) 883-7277 Ext: 121, [email protected]
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