What's Love Got To Do With It?

My dad happens to watch a lot of documentaries and doctor shows, so ever so often the dinner conversation will turn to what Dr. Oz or some ayurvedic guru has been talking about today. This eventually turns into everything is genetically modified, we can’t eat anything, natural only grows on the other side of the equator and we’re all going to die of cancer from eating the very same healthy veggies that are supposed to prolong our lives. 

Great chicken, mom.

It ends on my note where I say we all pick our battles and if everything is going to eventually give us cancer, then how about I focus my time worrying about something else for a bit? What I really want to talk about are diamonds – so what does advice from Dr. Oz have to do with diamonds? I’m simply trying to cover my ass and say I realise there are a slew of issues to think about and there are dozens of consumer products that I buy and companies I buy from that in some way, shape or form contribute to conflict and strife in other countries. But I feel like diamonds are so incredibly unnecessary that eliminating them is actually quite simple. Whereas, taking on sweatshops and clothing and kitchenware, barbies and such ... I’ll admit, I don’t have much of a clue as to how I would start.

For a while now I’ve had an obsession with copper jewellery. My reasons are based on the idea of equality and the relative inexpensive nature of the metal as well as some of the health benefits. The “equality” point is very much related to the reasoning behind the Sikh kara, but that is a separate conversation. So, I like copper - I don’t like diamonds. When I found my copper engagement ring there were questions – there were concerns that the hippie was getting to my head and breaching the blood-brain barrier. But I am quite set on the idea of not having a diamond engagement ring. I think the idea is quite ridiculous and diamonds are delivered dripping with the blood of innocent people who don’t need to die for a section of the world’s population who are convinced they need to demonstrate their “love” (bullshit btw) and monetary fortitude to passersby. Firstly, giving someone an expensive rock to wear on their finger is not an automatic sign, nor is it the only way to convey to someone that you love them and want to be with them for an extended period of time. Oh wait – there – see how I did that? I used words to convey the same message that thousands of people assume a shiny rock will do for them. Ha! (eat my shorts Kay jewellers). And if you feel that the idea of a ring (a solid circle to symbolize eternity, never-ending, everlasting love) is important for the engagement process, and I do, then can you not get a ring that doesn’t have a diamond in it? Like a very pretty copper-blend ring that will match perfectly with a gold wedding band (if that is what you’re in to)...?

Perhaps the first step is getting educated and learning more about the diamond trade and how diamonds make it to the elegant settings on one’s ring finger. Yes, there is a movement to import conflict-free diamonds. My point remains the same – diamonds that contribute to conflict and death in many countries across the globe still exist. The simple fact that many societies still lend so much value and merit to the diamond engagement ring (and the various concepts about love and marriage attached to it) means that the conflict diamond will continue to exist. And fiancées everywhere will still contribute to the plight of people across the globe.

Reject the diamond, because really, what’s love got to do with a shiny stone that people ooh and ahh over?

I dream of the day when people realise how unnecessary the diamond is; I can only hope that this massive collective realization is coming soon. Society as it is is fuelling the market for these blood diamonds. In the same way that environmental organizations demand a value shift and shift in the way we see the earth and our impact on it – we need to start applying the same theory to the diamond industry. Reduce-Reuse-Recycle works at the micro and macro levels. Rejecting the antiquated and misguided ideal of the diamond engagement ring (and other forms of diamond body embellishment) for yourself is all part of the larger ripple effect that will slowly but surely erect change in parts of the world many people know nothing about. I talk about this often; the idea of globalization extends farther than simply discussing our connections via world economies, political alliances and [more efficient] means of communication. We are connected in a human way that I feel many people neglect to acknowledge. Our decisions and choices (positive and negative) affect people in every which corner. That is the true ripple effect. You know that famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi that gets thrown around ALL the time? At every conference, every youth group meeting, every feel-good demonstration, in every sappy article, I’m sure I’ve even seen a few tweets... “Be the change you want to see in the world” Well people, I think it’s time to be the fucking change.

David Robert-style “Peace”.