First, let's start with what a diamond is. What does it mean to you, or your significant other? While it is a precious stone, what cost are you willing to pay to aquire it?
I am sure you have all heard about blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds - the use of slave labor to mine diamonds to fund feuds and wars - and the Kimberly process, which aims to stem the flow of these diamonds, but does it work?
The short answer is no. You must take it upon yourself to investigate the true source of the diamond, or better yet, remove yourself from the proccess. There are other options out there including man-made or 'cultured' diamonds. Doesn't feel as special for some reason? Don't fall for the hype of natural 'from the earth' diamonds mean more, because they are, at the core the same thing.
You don't look specifically for 'naturally found' pearls do you? Explore your options and what affects they have on the environment a little closer, and you may come to find your true feelings about these jems.
Redhat Z. says:
good