Q&A: Choosing a “Conflict-Free” 1 Ct. Emerald Cut Diamond for $4k Budget

 I have to be honest and say that I find Brilliant Earth to be so misguiding when they brand themselves as conflict free. Let me start by saying that I am very passionate about ethical consumption. I only buy free trade coffee, I purchase 90% of my food from local food suppliers I volunteered at the local food co-op. I also buy my clothing from companies that have documented fair treatment of workers.

All they are doing is using ‘Conflict free’ as a marketing tool. 1) they sell diamonds from the exact same suppliers that every other website. I know that for a fact (my old companies gave them goods on consignment for their site) so the only ‘conflict free’ diamonds are their ‘Canadian’ brands. If you actually care about conflict diamonds and are interested in being an ‘ethical consumer,’ you are better off not purchasing a Canadian diamond. We aren’t talking about paying cash for a diamond in Myanmar or Hong Kong. All of the diamonds in the US market are conflict free. 99% of the diamonds come from 25 companies that do the mining/cutting. The other 1% of diamonds in the US are cut by smaller companies that typically buy their rough diamonds from those same 25 companies. All of their diamond sources are 100% legitimate. I will use my old company as an example, as they are one of the largest manufacturers in the world.

My former employer has a partnership with the Botswana government. They get a a percentage of the revenue (a significant percentage) on condition that is spent on the infrastructure in the mining/factory areas. The quality of life has increased significantly there due to the diamond mines. There are better schools and hospitals, the average wage is double (at least) the national average and they have the lowest AIDs/TB rates in the region. Leo Schachter doesn’t do this for altruistic reasons (I don’t want you to think I’m saying they are wonderful people), but that it makes good business sense.

By buying a Canadian diamond, you aren’t avoiding ‘conflict free’ diamonds, you are avoiding the diamonds that are helping parts of Africa develop their economy. That is why I feel so strongly about Canadian diamonds. Canadian brands and companies like Brilliant Earth are just using a Leonardo DiCaprio movie basis for gimmick marketing. As an ethical consumer, I am nauseated by Brilliant Earth’s gimmick marketing. Its like buying organic products from Walmart (that come from China and aren’t regulated in any way). 

I would recommend one of these:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-207035?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-186095?a_aid=dmnd1357

I would go with the first one. I would be hesitant to purchase an IGI certified diamond even though the second one looks great.

What do you think? 

 No it wouldn’t. We feel very strongly about that. Considering how you are right on the cusp budget-wise, you’d be sacrificing size (which is far more noticeable) for it.

https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

 White Gold is my preference. Here is an article we wrote:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/the-5-cs-of-white-gold-vs_b_3351028.html