The Diamond Trade

It seems odd to mix love and trade, but it is important to understand how beautiful diamond engagement rings find their way onto lovely fingers. All the careful thought that is given to the choice of engagement rings deserves to be reassured that the manufacture and business is honest and above board. So much has been said and written about “conflict” or “blood” diamonds that the careful buyer cannot fail to be unaware of this aspect. The Kimberley Process was established in South Africa during the early Twenty-First Century, to ensure that rough diamonds bought by world traders have no connection with conflicts and are not traded for weapons.

We at Marlows ensure that all our diamonds, whether they are loose cut diamonds or diamonds set in custom engagement rings, are from reputable sources and are certified as such.

Interestingly, conflicts over diamonds are not a new thing and, in Medieval times, the trade was deep in controversy with the Jewish people. After the Crusades of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, Jews became scattered throughout the known world. There were strict rules as to what they could and could not do; this applied particularly to business and trade. Most trades were regulated by the powerful Guilds of northern Europe and Jewish people were not allowed to participate. However, the trade in diamonds were not regulated; therefore many Jewish families became involved as traders and cutters. They settled in places like Amsterdam, Antwerp and Bruges, thus contributing to the importance of these cities in global diamonds trading.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at 9:15 am.

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