Diamonds in the Rough

[dizzydoll]

Please help me improve this story:

A few years back I became a licenced rough diamond dealer, under the law set out by De Beers International through the *S.A. Diamond Board. There are reasons for these laws, one of which is to ensure that your polished diamond retains its value and if there are too many people unearthing *rough stones, your diamond will lose its value.

However there is a much less sparkling side to that diamond of yours. The diamond industry is wide open to money laundering through drug money due to the exchange control laws imposed by the South African Government. Very sick, everyone knows including the Diamond Bourse in Antwerp, that millions $$$ are exchanged in drug money, but exchange control laws will not be dropped in South Africa because there is too much wealth in the soil, and nobody cares... as everybody loves the taste of money.

The S.A. laws are so strict in fact, that I am only allowed to purchase rough legally from an authorised diamond dealer in a registered diamond office in South Africa. This means, if I were to get caught purchasing rough stones in a hotel for example, I could go to jail for 25 years. Anyone with a criminal record will not be issued any diamond licence and if an individual gets a criminal record while carrying a diamond licence, his/her licence will be revoked immediately. A friend, Norman, who had a thriving diamond polishing business had his licence revoked because he got an criminal record, and this is the only industry he knows. Very harsh. Anyway, I took my chances and sold rough to Norman in his flat, fully aware of the consequences. As always, my guides were watching over me and I wasnt bust.

De Beers finance their own police force who constantly try to trap you, why? cos De Beers would sooner not have you around... BUT since the ANC government came into power, the laws have changed to allow the "underprivileged" to enter the same marketplace as the "privileged" enjoy. That meant after following correct procedures I, as well as others, were granted a rough diamond licence under the banner of "underprivileged" because I am a woman. lol. Needless to say, the old boys club is unimpressed.

Now in Zambia, there are no laws regarding purchasing rough diamonds, and I lived there for a while. And so began an adventure of many facets which I will never forget. It definitely was one of the most colorful periods in my life. It ended in an office [which was originally the jail], in the back of a Livingstone Police Station at the Livingstone/Victoria Falls Border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

What a joy ride! This is why Sir David Livingstone never wanted to go home, he renamed *"Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- into The Victoria Falls.
In those days people served the empire and he served his Queen Victoria and named the Falls after her.

...

*SA = South African

*rough = unpolished diamonds

*"Mosi-oa-Tunya" = the Smoke that Thunders:- The Victoria Falls

http://images.travelpod.com/users/phileus_fogg/summer_2007.1184423580.victoria-falls.jpg

During low water levels you can swim on top of the Victoria Falls but only on the Zambian side of the border:

http://www.southafrica.to/transport/Airlines/cheap-flights-from-South-Africa/cheap-flights-from-Johannesburg/Devils-Pool.jpg

Sir David Livingstone:

http://www.skillansafaris.com/images/slide_group_statue_victoria_falls.jpg

[hillwalker]

Well, I had a glance at this, expecting a short story - but what I really got was a journalistic piece. Very informative and wonderfully illustrated (puts my snaps to shame).

The question is - what is this piece going to finish up as (since it reads as if there is more to follow)?

If you intend completing a short story then the background detail has to be reduced to a minimum - inserting a few nibbles here and there rather than flooding the first few paragraphs with so much information that we wonder when the story is due to start.

It has to kick off with a hook to grab the reader - an angle that captures their imagination and makes them want to read more..... something along the lines of.....

Everybody loves the taste of money. I was no different. I knew the risks. I knew the consequences. But this venture was too good an opportunity to turn down, etc. etc.

Your first-hand knowledge of location and background are invaluable and will stand you in good stead I'm certain.

Keep typing, dizzy.

H

[dizzydoll]

Its a dear diary story... a never ending story. One stepping stone at a time.

Of course the true tale carries on but I probably wont bother to share, or maybe I will sometime. Nevertheless, the real reason for this piece was to introduce how the diamond industry operates. You see Robert Mugabe has just rebelled against De Beers Int. and there will be hell to play. I expect significant changes will come as a result of his defiance of strict diamond protocols.

I dont know how to tell a story Walker...

[chimney_swift]

I want to know more about your adventure.

[Steven Hunley]

Well, it wasn't a story, but then again it was. The story of a person's experience with the diamond industry. It was well written and fascinating. If the people in the photo don't fall over the falls I don't see why not. True, it's a journalistic story, but as stories go, couldn't be more interesting. Pardon me while I gush. (and I thought I'd led an interesting life)

[dizzydoll]

Thank you so much guys, but I must do as Walker says, I must try to make it a proper story... to look like a story at least. I have two hours to kill between clients so let me add some angel dust to my next attempt. lol.

[Steven Hunley]

One thing would be to give it a hook that draws the reader in right at the start as suggested. That will get their attention and help define the beginning. Maybe then concentrate of giving it a well defined ending. The reader will assume what's in between is the middle, and there you have it. You can do this thing. I have confidence in your ability.

[dizzydoll]

http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/6a71459891678f558a31e0d861f2e36e/98185.jpg

Nope I cant do it. It cant be changed to a story because its actually serious business.! lol. Use a little imagination and add your own angels and demons to this piece.. Its an interesting field, certainly in that *rough is more beautiful than polished diamonds, imo.

For me it was a challenge, once achieved I moved on. I would not recommend getting into this industry.

http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/uploads/Image/8/6980.jpg
This blue rough would sell for a lot of money, easily millions of US$$ if its flawless and the size of a marble. The most valuable diamond is PINK.

This is a huge diamond: 507 carat rough... now that is worth many millions of US$$.
http://lux-stuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/507caratrough.jpg

At least I came back with pictures. lol.

edited to add: I didnt have this kind of money to play with. But I carried a huge fortune at times, the diamond industry works on a handshake.

Different colours of rough. This parcel is worth lots of loot.
http://www.etruscan.com/i/photos/tirisano/Roughdiamonds2.jpg

[Steven Hunley]

Your right, it's integrity that counts. Story or no story keep up the good work.

[dizzydoll]

Thanks Steve, its a very private industry for many reasons but also the most unusual industry. The seller doesnt determine the price.. its all about "what YOU are willing to pay for rough". Of course the seller can accept or reject your offer... and thats when the dance begins, it's how he accepts your offer that determines the dance. If he accepts too quickly, its best to reconsider your offer. lol.

If a buyer excepts my deal and he loses [usually thousands], there's no hard feelings and he will look at any future stones I carry. There is also lots of swearing during negotiation, its sounds radical but its really is quite harmless. In fact I wouldnt mind watching a broadway show of a diamond seller and buyer negotiating the deal, its really entertaining to watch them in real life even tho its VERY serious business.

All this means if you dont know what you're doing you will lose big time. Each piece of rough should be viewed [with a loop] for a minimum of five minutes, imo, with the most current Rap Report [price list] close at hand. Bigger stones will take days to value and more than one person will analyse the stone before an offer is made.

Personally I dont recommend anyone to get into this industry cos you will lose unless you are working closely with a diamond polishing factory that you can trust. I did well during my time and loved it, I still have all my diamond equipment but wont get back into this field... its too dangerous.

Black Diamond

http://www.diamondsnews.com/images/black_diamond_Orlov.jpg

[dizzydoll]

The Millennium Star

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1010000/images/_1010992_diamond3black.jpg

The De Beers collection of diamonds which went on display at the Millennium Dome was one of the biggest draws of the ill-fated attraction.

The set of 12 diamonds are insured to the value of £150m [or 300mUS$] but De Beers say the collection, the finest that has ever gone on public display, is not for sale and is therefore priceless.

De Beers provided £2m in sponsorship for the Dome, most of which went on security for the collection.

"A collection of such rarity that most of us will not see its like again"
Harry Oppenheimer, De Beers

The chief attraction is the De Beers Millennium Star, widely regarded as the purest and most beautiful diamonds in the world.

It was the centrepiece of the Dome's opening night when a laser was shone through it, throwing shafts of light around the Dome

The Millennium Star was crafted from one of the biggest diamonds ever discovered.

The 777-carat stone was discovered by accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1990 and was later fastened into the 203-carat gem which is now on display in the Millennium Dome.

The other 11 rare blue diamonds, including the vivid blue 27.64-carat Heart of Eternity, came from the De Beers Premier Mine near Pretoria, South Africa.

Harry Oppenheimer, De Beers' retired chairman, has said the Millennium Star is the most beautiful diamond he has ever seen and described the collection as "of such rarity that most of us will not see its like again."

The diamonds were housed in the Dome's high-security Diamond Experience.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1010992.stm

:eek6:

http://ccn1.net/POTD3/230-carat-diamond.jpg