[MHT]

For generations DeBeers held a monopoly on diamonds and created not only a image for them but a false scarsity. This has been a tragic manipulation of a continent, beyond the horrors of 19th-century slavery. How much better off African countries would have been had they been able to develop their own industries, markets, etc. Frontline did a special on this 10 years ago and it was never run again. This has been a dirty secret for a long time and I'm glad this exposure is finally getting widespread attention. Even information on the internet about this subject has been very limited.

I believe in the free market system, the rights of international corporations, and the necessity of owners of minerals to be wise in contracts they make. However, I don't think that the people of these countries had a chance, from before the time of Rhodes and colonization.

What made DeBeers so special that it got the monopoly? Why should the likes of Jackie Kennedy, with her unchallenged inside information, make millions off the backs of oppressed people and get a pass from the media? Thank heavens that there has been greater competition in the oil industry. Wish that the government had been as interested in investigating the diamond industry as it had been in the oil industry.

[RussP]

What's the latest on artificial diamonds? Seems like I hear every couple of years that we're on the verge of low-cost, high-quality man-made diamonds. I've even heard that they will have a higher quality than natural diamonds. Some have even suggested that the imperfections of natural diamonds will give them greater value. What a bunch of fools!

I long for the day when the suckers who shelled out big money for diamonds learn their lesson.