While jewelry makes a great gift for all occasions it’s not always the benign, love-filled gift we expect it to be.

While many of us like wearing jewelry and expensive stones we’re beginning to realize the ways these stones are mined may reflect too high a price in human treatment. And this worries us.

Jewelry, especially diamonds, are often linked to conflict. This is because the price of weapons and wars are often paid with diamonds. Diamonds exchanged for guns ultimately cost lives and limbs. Obviously, a stone or piece of jewelry worn with such an origin is tainted, which is not a pleasing thought in the least. In fact, the term ‘blood diamond’ applies to stones used in these types of exchanges.

Fortunately there are now companies hard at work identifying jewelry for customers that is conflict-free, ethical and sourced without any blood being shed. Continue reading →