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Thinking About Diamonds
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by Ed Zwick, producer of 'Blood Diamonds'.
"I have spent the better part of two years thinking about diamonds. Before presuming
to make a movie that might be seen by millions, I felt an obligation to try to better
understand my subject. And so I’ve studied their science, their history and their
commerce. I’ve visited mines, read spread-sheets and secret memo’s, peered at rough
stones through microscopes, traveled throughout four continents to talk to jewelers,
smugglers, dealers, politicians, captains-of-industry, mercenaries, NGO do-gooders
and corporate spin doctors. And what I learned was as complex and rife with contradiction
as Africa itself: as faceted and mysterious, one might even say, as a diamond. A
thing both rare and yet abundant. A beautiful object that is sometimes born of ugliness.
Something indestructible that has also caused so much destruction... "
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About Us
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The Rapaport Group takes a strong proactive role promoting and implementing corporate
responsibility programs around the world. Rapaport’s corporate responsibility activities
extend well beyond commercial activities.” We believe that the private sector has
a critical and irreplaceable role to play, driving sustainable economic development
in the poorest countries of the world. We are committed to using our economic power
and strategic positioning in the diamond and jewelry industry to help artisanal
diggers and other disadvantaged groups obtain economic self sufficiency. The Rapaport
Group regularly donates at least ten percent of profits to charity and initiates
programs to alleviate poverty in Africa and elsewhere.
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About Fair Trade and Fair Made
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The Rapaport Group is committed to
supporting disadvantaged sectors of the jewelry industry through the establishment
of FairTrade and Fair Made diamond, gem and jewelry products and markets. The Group
focuses on the artisanal mining sector by supporting fair trade standards for diggers
groups and cooperatives that produce artisanal diamonds, gems and gold in Sierra
Leone and other developing countries. Additional activities supporting fair trade
standards for disadvantaged workers producing Fair Made jewelry in South Africa
and other countries are also taking place.
The Rapaport Fair Trade Principles include: 1. Fair Wages
2. Community Benefit
3. Do No Harm
4. Reporting, Monitoring and Branding
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Rapaport Fair Trade Jewelry Conference
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Rapaport also sponsors numerous activities
and conferences throughout the year that introduce and promote the idea of Fair
Trade to members of the jewelry industry in developed countries. We recently sponsored
the third annual Rapaport Fair Trade Booth and FairTrade Conference at the Las Vegas
Jewelry show. Industry members discussed the new Kimberly Process regulations,
and updated members on efforts to create FairMade jewelry training and manufacturing
in South Africa as well as a socially responsible jewelry lines. Footage from the
conference will be available shortly.
Click here to view highlights of the conference
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