Gold and silver, diamonds and precious gemstones Jewellery mining industry has always been one of the most profitable industries influencing lives of many people and creating and serving the rich, famous and elite. Gold and diamond jewellery is very popular with affluent people as a status of wealth and power. And even diamonds have been quoted as women’s best friend, for it has driven desire and passion.

But, behind the shimmer and glitter of gold, silver and diamond jewellery hides a very shocking reality, a reality that most of us are unaware of. The jewellery industry faces perilous problems that affect not only the people in the gold and diamond industry but also our environment. And the question that we need to ask ourselves is “Are the prices of our gold and silver jewellery and diamonds worth the cost of the lives and environmental damage caused by the jewellery mining industry?”

A lot of researches have been conducted on the gold and diamond industry since the issues of “Dirty Gold Mining” and “Blood Diamonds” have been raised. Gold mining has been associated with violence and conflict and became one of the dirtiest industries in the world because of the environmental and human rights violations, land and waterways toxicity, displacing many people from their land and livelihoods. This does not only happen in the gold mining industry it also applies to the diamond industry. Perhaps one of the most popular ethical issues in the jewellery industry was in Zimbabwe regarding the so called “blood diamonds” which have referred to by International inspectors because of the human rights abuses it caused to miners in this country.

It is our social responsibility to do business in accordance with human rights and environmental awareness. Thus, jewellery retailers over the world initiated campaigns against malpractices in gold and diamond mining industry and pledged to source gold and diamonds jewellery in accordance with human rights, social and environmental standards and guidelines. However, the effectiveness of the programme still depends on the efficiency and benevolence of the governments, police and the forces across all the territories in which it operates.

Jewellers and retailers will suffer the consequences of unethical and irresponsible practices in the jewellery mining industry If consumers see them in complicit with unethical and irresponsible practices in the trading and sourcing of “blood diamonds” or “dirty gold”. One of the International programmes that promotes ethical and responsible trading and sourcing of gold and diamond jewellery is the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). The council initiates and sets guidelines and standards in giving certification on looking after the issues on environmental performance, social aspects, labour, human rights and business ethics.

We too can help in cleaning up the gold and diamond jewellery industry by not buying from jewellers who patronise dirty gold and blood diamonds mining. It is our own small way to make a big contribution in improving the quality of the gold and diamond jewellery industry and the lives behind the dazzling and shimmering gold, silver and diamond jewellery that you wear.

But how will you know that your favourite jeweller does not patronise dirty gold and blood diamonds? At the present it is impossible to know the real source of gold. Gold jewellery comes from various sources: two-thirds of the metal comes from gold mining and the rest from recycling with around twenty percent coming from old stock and thirteen percent from banks. The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international, not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry by advancing responsible business practices throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain.

And with the case of diamonds, there is what they called the Kimberly Process Certification that monitors diamond mining and gives the assurance that the diamonds were not mined under abusive conditions. This refers not only to labour, human rights or social conditions but environmental performance as well. As a consumer, one way you can avoid buying and patronising blood diamonds is by requesting information about the source of the diamond from the jeweller, and by refusing to purchase diamond jewellery that sourced from Zimbabwe or mined under abusive conditions.

There are a lot of online jewellery store that sells high quality gold and silver jewellery and diamonds. Gold and Silver Jewellery Shop supports ethical jewellery trade practices and does not patronise abusive sourcing and mining of gold and diamonds. You can make a change in cleaning up the malpractices in the jewellery industry while enjoying the satisfaction and feeling of confidence, power and beauty with gold and silver jewellery and diamonds.

Help save the jewellery industry. Buy your gold and silver jewellery only at http://www.goldandsilverjewelleryshop.com for assurance of high quality jewellery that are sourced from non- dirty gold and blood diamond mining.

Novem Harder is a freelance web writer, Internet Marketing and SEO practitioner who loves to reading, coffee and badminton. More about me at fusion of insights.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/behind-the-glitters-of-jewellery-1734431.html

Diamond engagement rings have become a symbol of true love and commitment for the modern couples. An engagement ring you proudly put on your bride-to-be, conveys a message to her that she now belongs to her true love. An engagement ring is an indication of deep love, faith, belongingness and fidelity.

Beautiful designs of diamond engagement rings, everlasting nature of diamonds and their clarity symbolize eternal commitment between two persons who decide to become life partners in near future.

Diamonds have been strategically introduced in the engagement rings by the diamond industry way back in 19th century. Various gemstones like sapphires, rubies, pearls, and emeralds are being considered as symbols of engagement. They are today the most important bridal jewelry product all over the globe.

You will notice that every modern fiancée longs for a diamond engagement ring for from her fiancé. Jewelry industry is selling over 70% engagement rings every year which are diamond studded.

Engagement ring diamonds are crafted in different shapes, colors and settings. You can opt for online shopping for diamond engagement rings. You can browse hundreds of online jewelry stores and select the best one depending on your fiancée?s taste and your budget. All kinds of engagement rings such as diamond designer engagement rings, diamond platinum engagement rings, or less expensive diamond engagement rings are being sold online. Many stores offered attractive designs and styles at fabulous prices.  

When you are deeply in love with someone special, convey that love with most glittering diamond engagement ring!

For the more information related to Diamond Engagement Rings,visit the website www.getmediamond.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/express-your-true-love-to-your-fiance-with-diamond-engagement-ring-1623111.html

The Australian diamond industry is known across the globe for the famously stunning Argyle diamonds that are produced from within the mines of the country. These Argyle diamonds are sought after by jewellers and collectors alike for the unique array of colours and stunning perfection of these stones. Mined from the mountainous Kimberly regions of north-western Australia, these all-natural stones are found in amazing colours of exotic pink, deep amber, sparkling yellow, and the classic, dazzling white. These Argyle diamonds are sought after across the globe, and they are the reason the Australian diamond industry has become so successful over the past century. It is estimated that Australia produces more than one-third of the world’s total supply of diamonds every year! Annually, Australia’s production now totals over 35 million carats.

Diamond finds have been occurring in Australia since the 1890s. Although Argyle diamonds did not become widely available until the 1970s, Australia’s rich heritage of diamond production is a main reason for the priceless discovery of the Argyle mines. For many years, geologists searched and studied the terrain for the areas with the most promise of abundant diamond supplies. Throughout the 1970s, the geologists’ search seemed fruitless, until October 2, 1979 when the geologists found one of the largest, richest diamond deposits around the world. While working in a creek near the great Lake Argyle, the geologists came across a few stones in creek. The geologists continued to back-track up the creek, finding many more diamonds. They had found one of the richest diamond deposits in the world. They named their discovery after Lake Argyle, calling the find the Argyle Mine.

Construction of the mine began in 1983 when the Argyle Diamond Mines Joint Venture was created to finance, own, and operate the mine. The agreement was in full cooperation with the Australian government, and the development of the processing plant and open-cut mine was governed by a State Agreement.

Since its development, the Argyle diamond mine generates enough diamonds to boost Australia into becoming one of the world’s largest producers of natural diamonds. By sheer volume, the mine has been able to produce over 35 million carats annually since 1993, and before that, the mine produced upwards of 40 million carats annually. The Argyle Mine has truly placed Australia on the main stage of the diamond industry. The Argyle Mine is also the world’s only reliable supplier of the ultra-rare pink diamonds. One main reason that the mine is so successful is because it uses cutting-edge technology to mine the diamonds, making the mining processes economical and efficient.

Argyle diamonds are classified into three main categories. The diamonds are labelled by colour. Each diamond is identified as pink, champagne, or white. Pink and champagne are graded by intensity of colour, while white diamonds are graded for their lack of colour. Diamonds from the Argyle Mine have two unique features that distinguish them from other diamonds. For one, these stones are much harder than diamonds from other parts of the world. Also, the Argyle stones will fluoresce blue when placed under ultra-violet light.

The headquarters of Argyle Diamonds is located in the Western Australian capital of Perth. The large shipments of diamonds are sent here to the modern cutting and polishing factory. Argyle picks only the top quality stones to be polished at this facility. The process of sorting has been simplified over the years through technological advances in machines that sort the diamonds by size. Then, sophisticated equipment separates the diamonds according to colour and shape. Finally, the valuation of each stone still must be made by a human eye. Argyle employs many professional diamond sorters to individually examine each stone and make decisions based on size, shape, clarity, and colour.

Pink argyle diamonds are amongst the most rare gems in the world, so be the proud owner of one and dazzle your friends.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/the-australian-diamond-industry-1357156.html

When it comes to buying diamond rings and diamond jewellery, not only do you have to try to select the best diamond you can for your money, but also the best setting that you think the intended recipient will prefer.

There are various styles of settings available on the market, and below are some of the main terms used in the diamond industry.

CLAW SET – This means that the diamond is held in place by a number of prongs.  Most typically 4 claw or 6 claw, more modern designs of jewellery also use 3 prongs.  Claw set diamonds typically emit the most sparkle, as the raised position of the diamond generally allows most light refraction in the diamond, and therefore the most brilliance.  Claw settings are normally found on solitaire diamond engagement rings for example.

CHANNEL SET – Most typically found in diamond eternity rings and other rings where more than one diamond is set, channel set means that a number of diamonds are set flush alongside each other and are held in place by a strip of metal each side.  Princess cut diamonds often look best in channel settings due to the fact that their square shape provides excellent symmetry and tessalation.

RUB-OVER SET – This is a very traditional way of setting diamonds and refers to when the diamond is fully encased in metal, with just the table of the diamond (ie the top surface) being visible.  Whilst providing welcome added security for the diamond, rub-over settings can sometimes detract slightly from the brilliance of the diamond (albeit fractionally), as the rub over setting can adversely affect the light refraction in the diamond.  This method of setting is often used on diamond engagement rings.

PAVE SET – This term relates to when a multitude of often small diamonds are set very closely together, providing a ‘diamond encrusted’ effect on a piece of diamond jewellery.

Whichever setting for your diamonds you chose, you can rest assured that your piece of diamond jewellery will always be special, as it has been chosen by you for your loved one.

The author is the Managing Director of DeJoria Diamonds, the online diamond engagement rings specialists. For more information, visit www.dejoria.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/choosing-the-best-setting-for-your-diamonds-1238198.html