'Real or Fake' with President Masisi of Botswana
Welcome to The Clear Cut, we are here to break down all things diamonds and help you stay in-the-know with diamond education.
We had the great pleasure in meeting President Masisi of Botswana to play a demystifying game of 'Real or Fake', in hopes of uncovering some truths and rumors about the diamond industry and its contributions to Botswana's economic successes!
Real or fake #1: All diamonds are blood diamonds
Fake. Diamonds in Botswana are far from what is considered a blood diamond, we have moral standing with those who work in the mines and we have used our revenue for the country's growth.
Real or fake #2: Lab grown [diamonds] help support countries like Botswana.
Fake. Lab grown diamonds are not a natural resource. They are very cheap, which benefits the economy in no way.
Real or fake #3: Botswana harnesses its natural resources for wealth and development.
Real. From everyone you witness thriving in schools and hospitals, to everything you experience like developed roads and infrastructure, is all owed to diamonds.
Real or fake #4: Botswana's youth has a massive student debt crisis.
Fake. Thanks to diamonds!
Real or fake #5: DeBeers owns all the diamonds in the world, and Botswana has no ability to gain equity or negotiate.
Fake. If you truly witness what our partnership is like, we own 50% of DeBeers and Botswana contributes 70% of the revenue to DeBeers.
Real or fake #6: Child slavery is a common issue on natural diamond mines.
Fake. Our mines are mechanized and maintained by well trained people who lead successful lives from their work in the mines.
Thank you very much to his excellency, President Masisi for uncovering the truth about diamonds and their impact on countries like Botswana. We hope you learned something new today and find the value in a natural diamond!