Lab-Made Diamonds Offered as “Conflict-Free” at Oscars Event
February 23, 05
In an attempt to edge in on natural diamonds, Gemesis is offering its lab-made diamonds to ecology-conscious celebrities participating in an environmental event at the Academy Awards ceremony this year.
Presenters and other participants at events such as the Oscars will receive gift baskets filled with many valuable presents to thank them for their time and efforts. It’s a way for gift givers to raise public awareness of their goods, and some of the gifts are known to be of great value.
Global Green, a U.S. environmental organization, is giving celebrities participating in its “Red Carpet-Green Cars” event a SWAGG basket - Sustainability, Wellness And Green Gifts - filled with eco-friendly products. The item touted as the highlight is a “conflict-free cultured diamond” by Gemesis set in a pendant or lapel pin. The jewelry items are by Diamonds For Humanity, an organization that promotes ‘luxury with conscience’, and are valued at $2,500 - $3,500.
In a press release, the organization says the Gemesis stones “have the exact DNA structure of earth-mined diamonds - yet involve no human or environmental sacrifice”.
Diamonds For Humanity founder, Sabiha Foster, said: “Every recipient of the SWAGG Bag may not take home a golden statuette, but they'll leave the ceremony with a conflict-free diamond Mandala knowing they've helped raise awareness of important humanitarian and environmental issues”.
De Beers said in response that it was “disappointed” by Diamonds for Humanity's attempts to link diamonds with human rights abuses”. Spokeswoman Lynette Hori quoted former South African President Nelson Mandela who said: “The diamond industry is vital to the Southern African economy”.
Eli Izhakoff, Chairman of the World Diamond Council that led the industry’s battle against conflict diamonds that initiated the setting up of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, said in response that “it’s a poor attempt [on the part of Gemesis] to equate synthetics with natural diamonds”.
Global Green, which also arranges to chauffeur Oscar-goers to the ceremony in a hybrid gas-electric car, says that among the attendees who will be demonstrating their eco-consciousness are comedian Robin Williams and actor Tim Robbins.