Blood Diamond

[Ginger]

We saw this film last night and I just wanted to say that everyone should go and see it. It is the best film I have seen in a long time, and we see a couple of movies a week.

Leonardo DiCaprio acts spectacularly...right down the absolutely perfect rhodesian accent (I have a friend originally from Rhodesia, she sounds exactly the same even to the nuances and emphasis in the voice). Djimon Hounsou is also spectacular in this movie. They say that both will have an Oscar nomination for their parts.

People would probably venture to say it was bad parenting taking my 11 and 12 year old child to this movie (it is rated 14A up here), however I felt it was important to help them understand why as long as they can remember their mother has insisted that no one buy her diamonds, and refuses to wear any diamonds (and gold, but that's another story.. ). It was violent, yes...but it is 'truth violence', not gratuitous violence...so I rationalize that it is important for my children to really understand what goes on in other parts of the world in order to make them understand how lucky they are as well as establish an international conscience in them that will hopefully grow as they do and help them to become allies in trying to stop the atrocities in this world.

The film is poignant....I cried various times throughout. In case you don't know the story of this movie:

Set against the backdrop of the chaos and civil war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-mercenary from Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories and their circumstances are as different as any can be until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond, the kind of stone that can transform a life...or end it.

Solomon, who has been taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields, finds the extraordinary gem and hides it at great risk, knowing if he is discovered, he will be killed instantly. But he also knows the diamond could not only provide the means to save his wife and daughters from a life as refugees but also help rescue his son, Dia, from an even worse fate as a child soldier.

I reccommend it!

[Rissask]

Thanks Ginger!

I will definitely be seeing this movie, I have heard other positive reviews of it too.


Is it okay to wear my 'polar bear' diamond mined here in Canada?

[wired529]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Is it okay to wear my 'polar bear' diamond mined here in Canada?

perfectly acceptable...the indigenous people of the Canadian north are benefitting greatly with the revenue flow created by the diamonds mined in the north.

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by wired529

perfectly acceptable...the indigenous people of the Canadian north are benefitting greatly with the revenue flow created by the diamonds mined in the north.

That they are.........

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by Ginger

People would probably venture to say it was bad parenting taking my 11 and 12 year old child to this movie (it is rated 14A up here), however I felt it was important to help them understand why as long as they can remember their mother has insisted that no one buy her diamonds, and refuses to wear any diamonds (and gold, but that's another story.. ).I reccommend it!

No judgement here....My 6yr old saw Dead Mans Chest at the theatre......

I want to see this movie....thanks for the review....

[maas1114]

Thanks for the review- I'd love to get a sitter one night and go see this movie.
Just an fyi, we actually have a jewlery store here in Baltimore called Mervis diamonds, that is playing commercials telling people that they should not be alarmed by Leonardo Dicaprio's new movie about Diamond mines, because all of the diamonds that Mervis sells are from "Safe" mines that have been mined by the Mervis families for years.
Honestly, I was kind of shocked that they would actually say Leonardo's name in their commercial- and even mention the movie at all.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by maas1114

Thanks for the review- I'd love to get a sitter one night and go see this movie.
Just an fyi, we actually have a jewlery store here in Baltimore called Mervis diamonds, that is playing commercials telling people that they should not be alarmed by Leonardo Dicaprio's new movie about Diamond mines, because all of the diamonds that Mervis sells are from "Safe" mines that have been mined by the Mervis families for years.
Honestly, I was kind of shocked that they would actually say Leonardo's name in their commercial- and even mention the movie at all.

As you will note in the movie (I already knew this) they will say that sure, but the truth of the matter is that the conflict diamonds are eventually mixed into the circulation with non-conflict diamonds and it is impossible to really know where your diamonds came from.

[Ginger]

I ought to add that you are safe buying Canadian/Alaskan (North American) diamonds.North American diamonds are tracked intensely from the time they leave the earth to the time they reach you. For obvious reasons, this tracking is made hard coming from countries such as within Africa as the diamonds are smuggled across borders, people are much more willing to bribe or accept bribes, gov'ts are much more corupt, policies less likely in place, etc. etc. and so the diamonds are all homogenized.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Ginger

I ought to add that you are safe buying Canadian/Alaskan (North American) diamonds.North American diamonds are tracked intensely from the time they leave the earth to the time they reach you. For obvious reasons, this tracking is made hard coming from countries such as within Africa as the diamonds are smuggled across borders, people are much more willing to bribe or accept bribes, gov'ts are much more corupt, policies less likely in place, etc. etc. and so the diamonds are all homogenized.

Whew.
The whole thing about diamonds being so sought after is silly in the first place! It's all marketing, true?
They aren't rare at all, there are tons of them. It is just that they are tightly controlled (mainly by DeBeers) and released in such small amounts into the world market...it's an artificially contrived 'preciousness' - true?

[ELECTRA]

The Cubic Zirconia is my favorite diamond....it is perfection.......and I can go as big as I want!! Best of all it, never hurt anyone.

FYI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by ELECTRA

The Cubic Zirconia is my favorite diamond....it is perfection.......and I can go as big as I want!! Best of all it, never hurt anyone.

FYI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia

I agree,.....and I think they are prettier....more sparkly...I also like ruby's, emeralds, sapphires and Opalo de Cantera's better....

[Ginger]

I agree also, Electra! (wow, did I just say that?

Another alternative is Moissanite. It is man-made, and said to have better sparkle and fire than a C.Z. OR a diamond.

And yes, Riss, the whole diamond market is manufactured. They touch on that in the movie when they show a diamond storage facility, but the idea is indeed true. Diamond dealers - specifically De Beers - keep the diamonds under lock and key, only releasing enough so as to keep the desire there and add to their 'preciousness" and thus increase their cost. A cost that is rediculous, really, when you think that you are basically spending thousands of dollars for nothing. You aren't really buying anything but a contrived mental desire, a romantic ethereality created through traditions and advertising.

[monte]

I'm going to go see it tonight. I've been looking forward to seeing it since I saw the trailer a couple of months ago. Looks like a great film. Thanks for posting the story line.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Ginger

I agree also, Electra! (wow, did I just say that?

Another alternative is Moissanite. It is man-made, and said to have better sparkle and fire than a C.Z. OR a diamond.

And yes, Riss, the whole diamond market is manufactured. They touch on that in the movie when they show a diamond storage facility, but the idea is indeed true. Diamond dealers - specifically De Beers - keep the diamonds under lock and key, only releasing enough so as to keep the desire there and add to their 'preciousness" and thus increase their cost. A cost that is rediculous, really, when you think that you are basically spending thousands of dollars for nothing. You aren't really buying anything but a contrived mental desire, a romantic ethereality created through traditions and advertising.

Pretty stupid isn't it?
I do love my diamond though, even though in reality it isn't anything rare or 'special'.

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by maas1114

Just an fyi, we actually have a jewlery store here in Baltimore called Mervis diamonds, that is playing commercials telling people that they should not be alarmed by Leonardo Dicaprio's new movie about Diamond mines, because all of the diamonds that Mervis sells are from "Safe" mines that have been mined by the Mervis families for years.

Mervis is full of it, plain and simple. I'll guarantee you the 'Mervis families' aren't mining any diamonds.

My Wife was in the Jewlery business for many, many years.

Moissanite, and CZ's sure do sparkle. If you hit them on something, they are going to crack, or chip quite easily. They are OK for earrings, or a necklace. Stay away from wearing them on your hands.


Diamonds aren't the only gem to go thru this problem. For years Tanzanite has had the 'blood name' attached to them. Associated with the Taliban, and supposedly sold to support them.

You can never be sure where a diamond comes from, no matter what your told in the store.

Rixx