Re: Ebay Diamonds

"Abrasha" <abrasha@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:ng0s54hc1ba5jsrv89gona2idl62ubvqri@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> William Black wrote:

>> Diamonds without a certificate of origin these days may be 'blood 
>> diamonds'.
>
> Very small chance.  Besides, even if the stone comes with a
> "certificate" stating that it is not a "conflict diamond" (That is the
> correct term.  You seem to get your knowledge from Hollywood), it is no
> guarantee, that it is actually a conflict free diamond.

Actually it comes from contact with a couple of friends who were British 
soldiers who ended up in Sierra Leone and were shot at by the people
selling 
the things and buying guns with the profits.  They called them 'Blood 
Diamonds' and they had a professional interest.

>> Pass them through an international border (by post or in your pocket)
you
>> stand a chance of getting them impounded.
>
> What makes you think he wants to "pass then through an international
> border" (are there any other borders?).

Oh yes.  Look up 'Interstate comerce in the USA' some time

   Most  likely he wants to buy a
> stone that has already been im****ted.

To where?

I live on two different continents at various times of the year and buy
some 
stones and jewellery.  It is normal for me to cross international borders 
carrying gems and jewellery.

>> These days the diamond investment market is plunging like a stone. 
It's 
>> an
>> artificial market that has a very limited lifetime now that everyone
has
>> realised that it's a cartel cheating them.
>
> There is no cheating.  However deBeers is very upfront about the fact,
> that they control diamond prices very strictly and successfully.

I understand that their sucess was challenged until they managed to get
the 
output of the Sierra Leonian mines under their control.

It is the 'unregistered sellers' that were causing them the problem.

deBeers doesn't operate directly in the USA because their normal business 
practices would be considered illegal there...


-- 
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time,  like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.