“Will you marry me?” A question traditionally proposed with a personalized ring that is accessorized with a fancy diamond, and getting on one knee. Gemstones are not only used to signify marriage, but also wealth or accomplishment. Many fail to think beyond the shiny reflection of their ring finger. When taking a look, the true horrors begin to unveil. This precious jewel has not only recently been idolized; the infatuation with it dates back to the first century CE, when the Romans regarded it as “the most valuable thing in the world,” according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). To fully understand the significance of these exquisite gemstones and their power, it is important to take a look at the historical context.
Inside the GIA’s research biography about diamonds and their history, it states that the world’s love and admiration towards them began in India during the fourth century BCE. They were harvested from the country’s bodies of water and then used for profit in trading. The amount of product they had was limited, but their customer base was equal in size due to the high wealth distribution. When Indian diamonds found their way to Western Europe, they quickly became fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite, ultimately increasing the demand. Once India’s supply began to decline in the early 1700s, Brazil took over, dominating the field for more than 150 years.
Based on the GIA, the story of the modern diamond market truly begins with the 1866 discovery of them that was made in South Africa. Cecil Rhodes, a British imperialist and entrepreneur, saw the potential of the industry, leading him to establish the De Beers Consolidated Mines in 1888. By the 1900s, they controlled 90% of the world’s diamond production.
In recent years, the exploitation of labor laws focusing on capitalization has taken over. This has led to the industry gaining the notorious name of “blood diamonds.” In the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) list of goods produced by child and forced labor, diamonds were featured in six locations across the globe. Companies quickly take advantage of the minuscule amount of labor laws established in countries such as India and Africa. People can be seen working long hours in strong heat and polluted air. Workers are forced to sacrifice their bodies and lives for a slim-to-none share of the billions of profit their hard work produces. According to the U.S. Department of State, aiming to prevent their existence in trade, the international certification laws under the Kimberly Process (KB) were established in 2003. This mandates the shipments of diamonds to be certified as conflict-free, which now accounts for 99.8% of their production. The use of slave labor to collect a stone that is supposed to mark loyalty and commitment shows how greed and selfishness dictate the actions of society.
To combat the demand for unethically sourced gemstones and their price, lab-grown diamonds began their growth in popularity. De Beers initially strayed away before joining the newfound business with its own brand under the name of Lightbox. These crystals hold identical properties both physically and chemically to mined diamonds, bringing a more sustainable option to the table. As of Feb. 20, the Supreme Court made changes to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to strike down tariffs placed by Trump. Within hours of the ruling, he quickly imposed a new temporary global import tax of 10% under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. These new tariffs in place could lead to the natural diamond industry’s downfall, forcing companies to buy into the lab-grown craze.
Society’s failure to respect each other and set their power-hungry mindsets aside becomes more and more apparent every single day. When looking at the rich history of gemstones and how they gained their reputation, it paints the modern industry into a nearly laughable picture. The exploration of lab-grown diamonds gives hope for the betterment of the future, though the uncertainty of what it brings still stands. With all of the factors in mind, it is outright embarrassing that an object used to symbolize loyalty has been used to downgrade people’s quality of life by exploiting them. This only in the end gives a select few people the opportunity to rise to the top of the pyramid. No matter what the outcome of slave labor brings, nothing will ever justify the need for it.
