Jewellery

Guilt-Free Diamond Jewellery

Since the release of the American movie Blood Diamond in 2006, the world was shocked at how such a small and beautiful thing as a diamond has encourage the killing and violence in such conflict-torn areas such as Sierra Leone, Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Zimbabwe, and Liberia. Diamonds, used to symbolise and celebrate love, union, and fidelity were used to fund a civil war, insurgency and invasions to other territories and padded the war chest of a corrupt government and both the military and the rebel factions. Diamonds used for such purpose are called blood diamond, conflict diamond or war diamond. Diamond owners and sellers watched in horror when they saw the atrocities and killing that demolished and wipe out whole villages in these African countries. What if the diamond you bought or contemplated buying helped continue the acts of war in Africa? Not knowing about it does not cut it.

You would still feel responsible somehow. It is one thing to buy a luxury item for your own pleasure, it is quite another matter to be supporting a the cause of war. It is a good thing the United Nation and leaders in the international diamond industry have put up measures to stop the trading of diamonds for such purpose. A certification system was created to assure buyers of diamonds that their stone has not contributed to violence or to war and oversaw by a body called the World Diamond Congress. So when you buy diamond jewellery ask for a Kimberley Process Certification. The certificate assures you that your precious stone was not mined in such war-torn areas as Angola and Liberia but was extracted from the mines of Canada, Russia, and Australia. And the only guilt you will be feeling is the guilty pleasure of wearing a diamond.

Great designs in Engagement Rings

For anyone who is getting engaged, you will be please to find that engagement rings are no longer limited to the traditional concept of a round brilliant diamond solitaire set in 14ct or 18ct yellow gold. Thanks to online stores, we all have access to an unprecedented range of styles, from vintage and antique to contemporary, modern or even custom rings. Multi-stone rings can include glittering melee decorating the shoulders of the ring which further enhance scintillation. Alternately, three-stone rings symbolise your past, present and future together and have become ever more popular whether to propose with or to celebrate an anniversary. Many women prefer to eschew the classic diamond in favour of a birthstone or coloured gemstone such as an emerald, sapphire or even a modern tanzanite.

Sapphires also come in a range of unexpected colours such as pink, green or orange so everyone's tastes can be accommodated. Examples of such original engagement rings can be found at The Beautiful Company and their website www.thebeautifulcompany.co.uk . For the person who wants it all, a diamond centre stone is all the more beautiful when enhanced by a pair of other precious stones on either side of it. Perhaps an eternity band is more to your liking. These bands feature a range of similarly sized gems going across the front and represent the continuity of your love. Additionally, the choice of metals has never been better with platinum having regained its former popularity and new, exciting choices such as titanium and palladium which offer many of the benefits of platinum but without the prohibitive price tag. Before you choose, explore the range of options.