Health and Happiness Club

Its my birthday on Saturday!

I wear very little jewelry and when I do, it is usual small and simple. That's why, when I saw this necklace, I knew immediately that it had to be mine! My parents generously gave me money to put towards this necklace as my birthday gift,  and I have been sitting on it for a couple of days...WHATS THE HOLD UP?!?!?!

I realized today, that after doing a lot of research on US Agriculture and environmental practices (or lack there of) for most US corporations, I was afraid that Tiffany & Co. would be lumped into the "bad practices" category. I never saw the movie Blood Diamond, starring fellow environment lover Leonardo Di Caprio, but I have heard many tragic stories about the horrific mining conditions for diamonds in Africa and the money going to support military activities in those countries.

What's a birthday girl to do?

I called Tiffany's customer service number and asked the very nice and helpful gentleman on the other side of the phone where their diamonds are sourced. He put me on hold to find out. I was simultaneously doing my own research and came across this analysis of Tiffany's by KLD Research & Analytics who are dedicated to finding out information for "Social Investments".

I was so happy to learn that Tiffany's has a ZERO tolerance policy for conflict diamonds. The customer service rep came back and confirmed this and even told me that they have their own mines in Canada, Russia and Africa and this is how they ensure their diamonds aren't conflict diamonds. GOOD ON YOU TIFFANY'S!

I'm so impressed by their initiative to be proactive about this issue and not turn a blind eye, like so many other corporations,  that I just had to share the news. Now I can wear my beautiful new birthday necklace without guilt or wondering if my parent's money went to support something horrible. Rather, it went to support a company that cares to maintain the integrity of their brand and continue their tradition as an American icon.