Will "Blood" kill diamonds at the Oscars?
Is the international diamond industry getting really, really, really nervous about the impact of "The Blood Diamond" on their Christmas and Valentine's Day gem sales?
You bet. Almost three months before the Warner Bros film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimoun Hounsou, is due for release (Dec. 15), the World Diamond Corporation has launched a major offensive campaign with a big ad in large newspapers (and on their website) explaining that the "conflict" or "blood diamond" problem has been solved.
The ads mention the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, a plan put in place to certify a
stone's origins, insuring that no conflict stones enter the marketplace. The KPCS is currently under review with
results on the program's effectiveness due out this fall.
Why is the WDC trying to fend off criticism so early? Have they seen any film footage? No, according to studio sources.
But the diamond industry seems to be shaking in their bright shiny shoes, worried that consumers will believe that conflict diamonds are still being smuggled and sold. Or worse, that they will read about the stones being a viable currency funding international terrorist forces such as Al Qaeda and Hezbollah.
"If they want to educate the public, that's great. The more information on conflict diamonds that gets out, the better," says a source close to the film about the WDC's pro-active ads. "Unfortunately, their ads do not tell the whole story, that, despite their attempts to police their industry, there are flaws and loopholes in the Kimberley Process."
Amnesty International and Global Witness still warn of ongoing inadequacies in the diamond industry's ability to curtail or control "blood diamond" sales.
Whatever happens to the diamond market, it will be interesting to see how A-list actresses will cope with questions about their bling in December, when "Blood Diamond," and other Oscar hopeful films, are released.
Here's a sampling: Did the jeweler who loaned you that million dollar necklace mention how many people had their hands hacked off for it? How do you feel knowing that your pretty ring could have funded Hezbollah? Or that those fabulous chandelier earrings may have bought arms for Osama?
May I suggest that any Oscar-hopefuls planning on wearing diamonds on the carpets have a prepared answer to these inevitable questions, along with the notes on who designed their gowns and made their shoes.
Otherwise, they'll risk looking stupid, vapid and uninformed. And that sure won't help an Oscar campaign, now will it?
Photo Credits: Thanks to "Blood Diamond," diamonds may not be as prevalent in the 2007 Awards Season. Even Teri Hatcher, selecting a ring at the Diamond Information Center's Pre-Oscar Suite at the Soho House last March, may think twice about bling.
Wire Image/Amy Graves
No amount of advertising and/or public relations will put a shine on the tarnished diamond industry.
So hold it ... "I love it" is a comment that you accepted for posting, but something that actually addresses the topic is not? You changed "Kimberley," but didn't note that you changed it, as per blogger custom. The "World Diamond Corporation" error still stands -- perhaps it sounds more sinister that way. Pretty weak ethics you have, but perhaps we shouldn't expect more on a blog like this.
Anyway the Kimberley Process has a website (www.kimberleyprocess.com) and it gives you the name of the Chairman, who you can call if you actually are interested in more than just spilling bile on this topic. He is a little more informed than, oh, "a source close to" the "Blood Diamond" film. However, that would actually you require you actually speak to someone in Africa, and in your last post on this topic you decided that people in Hollywood know better than Nelson Mandela and everyone in Africa. But if you do decide to talk to people there, you may realize how posts like yours seriously hurt African countries that depend on diamonds for their livelihood. And that's no joke.
There are a few companies, such as Brilliant Earth, which provide an ethical alternative to blood diamonds by selling diamonds of certified origin that are guaranteed to be conflict-free. These vendors sell exclusively Canadian diamonds which are tracked to be sure they are not financing violence and human rights abuses. In addition, these diamonds are mined, cut, and polished with ethical labor practices and are environmentally responsible.
Some more information on conflict-free diamonds:
http://www.brilliantearth.com/dispcont.aspx?pageid=CONFLICT