Conflict Free Rocks is just two friends trying to raise awareness of the conflict diamonds issue among consumers in the United States. The project was started in mid-2005, just after Kanye West's "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" song came out. Both realized that they were concerned that Americans--including all their friends who were getting engaged--were expressing their love with stones that might have caused bloodshed and heartache elsewhere in the world.
They started researching the issue and came to learn about the Kimberley Process. They saw that while the diamond industry was indeed making a good effort to stop rough diamonds mined in conflict areas from entering the legitimate diamond trading system, many experts pointed out that there were loopholes in the system and that the Kimberley Process was poorly enforced. They also saw a lack of awareness among US consumers and jewelers about the issue (see Amnesty International's 2006 survey of jewelry stores--many had never heard of the Kimberley Process).
Believing that consumer awareness would remedy the problem of poor enforcement by calling the diamond industry to account via its profit source, the friends decided to start a t-shirt project. But not just any t-shirt project. They wanted a great t-shirt that would catch the eye of the fashion-conscious, especially in Southern California, their home territory.
Enter Nathaneal Harkham of Cheeky Brand, who created the now-ubiquitous winged diamond:
(click on logo to enlarge)
A diamond with wings...a positive and uplifting design, perhaps symbolizing the liberation of countries no longer caught up in wars fueled by illegal diamond trading, perhaps emobdying the freedom and joy consumers feel knowing they've made the correct choice by buying a conflict free diamond.
Eager to help the cause, Cheeky Brand offered to hand-silk-screen a limited edition set of shirts. The socially and environmentally-conscious packing products company Earthpack donated tags to put on the tees, and LisyB, a high-end Orange County boutique, offered to stock and sell them, with all profits going back into the cause.
As the tee's were being developed, so was the website, which serves as a place for people to learn about blood diamonds and how to purchase a conflict free diamond, as well as to see what organizations around the world are doing on this issue.
While developing this project , Mel and Erin sought advice from Amnesty International USA about the right message to send--which is buy diamonds, but ask the right questions before purchasing, and buy from the right jewelers, meaning those who support the Kimberley Process.
Everyone who was involved with this project kindly volunteered their time and effort, and the Melissa and Erin are very thankful. They are currently working to obtain 501(c)3 non-profit status for Conflict Free Rocks. If you would like to help, join our mailing list, or contact us for any other reason, please email us.
Thanks for reading,
- Melissa |
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Erin |
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Melissa is the CFO of 5 Minute Networking, the country's premier speed networking company and the author of "Caution: Valedictorian Turned Waiter." She earned a degree in Economics magna cum laude from UCSB. |
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Erin, a former Peace Corps Volunteer, lives in Washington, DC, and works in public affairs. She has an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney, Australia. |
