Diamonds seem to be a status symbol for a
lot of rap artists.

Alexandra – that was a very insightful post, thanks. 8)

Hello again. I don’t want to beat a dead horse here and I know that very few people (if anyone) will read this post. I just want to respond to Lauren’s comments–she makes some excellent points.

First of all, she is correct that denouncing Diddy for wanting to buy finer things for his daughters is reverse snobbery. I didn’t mean to say that Diddy shouldn’t buy jewelry, etc. for his little girls. No doubt Diddy can (and hopefully, will) send his girls to college, too.

But I do infact know “all the facts”–or at least as much as anyone outside the industry can know. I spent three months researching trade in conflict diamonds for a federal policy agency several years back so I am familiar with the industry. I am not a scientist so I will freely admit that I do not know the science behind diamonds. However, there is considerable dispute as to whether diamonds are truly the hardest gem available. Several credible sources indicate that they are not. As to their rarity, it is a known fact that diamond companies remove available diamonds from the market in order to inflate their price. They are not as rare as diamond companies would have you believe and some research suggests that they are one of the most common gems. Again, I do not know any of this first hand because I work in policy and not science (but I did speak directly with scientists). But the fact that there are numerous reports calling into question the rarity and superiority of diamonds makes their high price suspect.

Lastly, it is true that conflict diamonds are primarily responsible for the bulk of the harm caused by the diamond industry. But the problem cannot be easily isolated. Demand for diamonds in general allows conflict diamonds to exist and despite their best efforts, diamond companies are not always able to separate conflict diamonds from legitimately-traded diamonds (this was where the bulk of my research took place). The fastest way to make a positive impact in this arena is to avoid diamonds all together. There are so many other beautiful gems available. And manmade stones are available, too. All I’m saying is that it would be lovely if celebrities would purchase those gems instead and set an example that would decrease demand for diamonds.

Well, enough about this. Thank you to those of you who read this. Congratulations again to Diddy for his two beautiful girls.

Alexandra, not all diamonds have a negative impact on the worlds’ well-being. It is conflict diamonds that cause major problems, and several reputable jewelers, Tiffany and Co. among them, go out of their way not to contribute to the problems that conflict diamonds create by not selling them. I wouldn’t make blanketed statements like that without knowing all the facts, especially since the idea that “diamonds are common and inferior” is laughable.

And as to whether he should or shouldn’t be buying diamonds for his daughters-last I checked, Diddy is worth millions upon millions of dollars. I think it’s safe to assume that he can buy his girls a diamond bracelet every now and then without breaking into their college fund. I don’t like Diddy any more than anyone else, but it drives me crazy when people denounce others for wanting to buy expensive things such as strollers, jewelry, etc. for their kids. It’s reverse snobbery.

Hi Alexandra, not all diamonds. Maybe they are Canadian. I know, I doubt it, but hey, you never know.

thats a good idea Alexandra. Or he could donate that money in his daughters’ names to some organization that works to stop the things that happen within the diamond “industry”. But people like Diddy just don’t think about these things. They only think “how much bling can I buy”. It sickens me. I understand the need to spoil your children and want to give them everything, I wish I could have given my daughter anything she wanted, but what children need is quality time with their parents. Diddy should concentrate less on bling.

Diamonds are more expensive than even Diddy can afford. They come at a tremendous cost to the political, social, and environmental well-being of third world countries. Their value is greatly distorted thanks to market manipulation. Celebrities need to be the ones to reverse the popularity of these common, inferior, and often deadly stones. Rather than jewelry, why doesn’t he give his girls fat college accounts so that they can go to any university in the country and live comfortably while they are studying?

Sorry to be a kill-joy. It’s just that unnecessary support of the diamond industry upsets me.

Otherwise, I agree with Terri. Those girls needs his time much more than they need his money.

I don’t agree with if you’re a proud dad you have to go out and buy bling for your child! If you’re a proud dad you spend time with your children as thats the best present of all for them in the long run! I really do not agree with piercing your children’s ears at such a young age either. I believe that should be done at an age where the child can decide for themselves if they want holes in their body! Rant over!!

In my opinion I think Diddy needs to stay home and be a real dad first and then comes the gifts.

When my mom found out she was pregnant with me she bought a sterling silver bangle from Tiffany’s. I still have it and am saving it for my little girl. Maybe these will be the Combs family heirlooms.