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A Few Fab Words With Ingle and Rhode

FabSugarUK — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:00:42 -0700

If you've ever seen the movie Blood Diamond then you'll realise the importance of ethical diamonds. The industry is notoriously corrupt so it's refreshing to know that jewellery designers Ingle & Rhode are working hard to bring you ethical diamonds. We caught up with them to find out why it is so important to know where your jewels have come from.

Why are ethically sourced diamonds so important? People give diamond engagement rings as a symbol of their love, and nobody wants to worry that their romance might be tarnished by war or exploitation. People are becoming increasingly aware of how much damage diamonds have done.

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What does ethically sourced actually mean? It means that nobody was harmed or exploited in the production of the raw materials, or in the manufacture of the jewellery. It means no conflict diamonds, no child labour, proper pay and conditions for workers, and minimal environmental impact.
Which countries do you source from? We source gold from Argentina, diamonds from Canada and Lesotho, Rubies from Madagascar, and Sapphires from Tanzania.
Why did you decide to launch Ingle & Rhode? Co-founder David Rhode got engaged a couple of years ago, and couldn’t find a London jeweller whose ethical credentials satisfied him. Having experience the problem from the consumer’s perspective, he and Tim Ingle realised that there was a need for a jewellery brand that offered total transparency, while not compromising on quality.
What inspires you? Working with organisations that make a real difference to people’s lives in the developing world.
I realise this is a relatively new project but so far how well has the idea been received? We’ve had a really positive response, far more so than we expected at this stage. It seems that people are becoming more ethical in their spending habits across different areas, and jewellery is no exception.
What is your favourite piece from your collection? We don’t have a favourite piece as such, but we enjoy doing bespoke engagement rings. Each one offers a different design challenge, and is an opportunity to do something really special. About three quarters of the engagement rings that we do are bespoke commissions.
What kind of person wears your pieces? We have clients from a wide range of backgrounds, it’s difficult to draw any generalisations. The only thing they all have in common is that they care about the impact they have on other people – and that applies to a lot of consumers these days.

Has awareness of the importance of ethical diamonds grown due to references in the entertainment industry, for example in Blood Diamond? There’s no question that ‘Blood Diamond’ did us a big favour by raising awareness of one particular issue. It looks like our job is to help publicise some of the other ethical problems facing the jewellery industry, such as the environmental damage done by gold mining. The media is already beginning to get a hold of that one.

Leo Still MIA on Blood Diamond World Tour

PopSugar — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 06:00:39 -0700

Yes it's a slow news weekend so I bring you left over pics of Jennifer Connelly, Edward Zwick, and Djimon Hounsou who are still traveling the globe without Leo to promote Blood Diamond. This time they stopped off in Tokyo. Back here in the states you can rent the film now. Thrilling isn't it?

Lots more of the trio looking thrilled so read more

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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:48:17 -0700

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue.

Blood Diamond
Nominated for five Academy Awards, Blood Diamond stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Danny Archer, a white African involved in the illegal diamond trade that funds African warfare. When he learns that native fisherman Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) has a rare pink diamond in hiding, he agrees to help Solomon rescue his son, who has been forced into military service. The film chronicles a brutal time in Africa's political history, along with bringing to light the controversial business of selling "conflict diamonds."

To see another recommendation, read more

Come Early Morning
Written and directed by Joey Lauren Adams (who played Amy in Chasing Amy, along with small parts in Big Daddy and The Break-Up), Come Early Morning is an indie film with a strong female protagonist. Ashley Judd plays Lucille, a tough construction worker in a small Southern town who spends her free time drinking at the bar and enjoying one-night stands. When a new man (Jeffrey Donovan) wants something more, she struggles with commitment issues, perhaps stemming from the strained relationship she has with her emotionally distant father (Scott Wilson). I like the "making of" story: Joey Lauren Adams got tired of the limited roles for women in Hollywood, so she made a film that appeals to women but wouldn't be lumped into the "chick flick" category.

Oscar Worthy Gadgets: Cameras in Blood Diamond

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:16:09 -0800

In Blood Diamond Academy Award-winner Jennifer Connelly plays Maddy Bowen, an American journalist who gets caught up in the story of two men, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou, in search of a rare pink diamond. The film is set in 1990's Sierra Leone and filled with civil war and conflict, which Connelly's character captures on a fancy Leica camera.

According to camera fans, Connelly's character uses an M6 Classic and a 35mm Summicron. However, the sound director dubbed an SLR sound whenever Connelly took a photo. For more Blood Diamond photos - Leo has an awesome watch!- and another filming goof, read more

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Filming goof: An arrival scene at Cape Town International Airport shows yellow posters in the background advertising 3G video cellphones. 3G technology was not available when the story was set.

Have you filled out your Oscar ballot? The winner will score a fabulous Prada bag, runners-up will get $50 to $500 gift cards Neiman Marcus, Sephora and The Apple Store. Get your votes in! Good luck! For official rules click here.

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Leo Likes 'Em British

PopSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:49:02 -0800

Leonardo and Co are in Rome as part of their world tour for Blood Diamond. He has been talking up a storm on interviews and recently spoke about his love for British women. Popular TV host, Cat Deeley, interviewed Leo. He said: "Cat's lovely. But then most English girls are. This country churns out some of the loveliest women in the world." Well also know he has a thing for super models but he didn't seem to open up about that in this interview.

For more pics of some of the cast of Blood Diamond at a photo call in Italy just read more

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Leo and Brad Reminisce Growing Pains

PopSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:14:03 -0800

Leo sure has come a long way from his child actor days. He's was nominated for an Oscar yesterday for his work in Blood Diamond. It was pretty much a shoe-in for him to get something this year. In fact, he recently got together for an Oscar round-table with such notable actors as Helen Mirren and Brad Pitt. The banter between Brad and Leo was our favorite part. Here's highlights:

Which movie made you want to become an actor?

DICAPRIO: I tried to get an agent when I was around 7. I was a break-dancer and had a mohawk, and I was rejected. I knew I wanted to be an actor, but it wasn't until "This Boy's Life," when I was 16, that I started to research quality films. I remember watching James Dean in "East of Eden." I said to myself, "Wow, I didn't know it was possible to give a performance this good."

PITT: Although you were extraordinary on "Growing Pains."

DICAPRIO: Thank you, buddy. As were you.

Leo, didn't you get thrown off the set of "Romper Room"?

DICAPRIO: Yeah, when I was 3 years old. I ran up to the camera and started shaking it, saying, "Look at me!"

Romper Room - sounds like someone knew they wanted to be a star at a very young age. Now the nominated actor is in the UK for the premiere of Blood Diamond where he is joined by co-stars Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. Last time we saw this group together we were speculating about Jennifer's belly. Looks like she could be hiding something again with this dress. For more including Paul Bettany, Jennifer, and Djimon just read more

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The Blood Diamond Controversy: Does the End Justify the Means?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:14:16 -0800

The new Leonardo DiCaprio movie, Blood Diamond, opens today after several months' worth of controversy. On the one hand, many people are glad to have the movie released, hoping that it will bring to light the serious issue surrounding "conflict diamonds," which continue to finance African warfare. But according to the AP, U.S. Officials disagree, claiming that the trade has been reduced to "significantly less than one percent" of total diamond business, and they fear that the movie will make people think the issue is more serious than it is.

No matter how small the percentage, perhaps it's good to bring to light this illicit activity. However, just a few months ago, Warner Brothers executives came under fire for certain production tactics used for the film. According to The New York Post, African amputees were recruited as extras with the promise that they would receive prosthetic limbs as part of their compensation after the filming. Writes Page Six:

However, more than three months after filming wrapped, the kids are reportedly still waiting for their new limbs and local charity Eastern Cape has been forced to outfit them instead to avoid their disappointment. A Warner Brothers representative allegedly told the victims, "You will have to wait for December, when the movie comes out, so we can get some publicity out of it."

Wow. If that's true, that is cruel exploitation at its best. To explore the issue further, read more

Warner Brothers execs have said that they've started a fund for the amputees, but that it is designed to cover many different needs and perhaps the prosthetics haven't been addressed yet. It is interesting that, in their feverish enthusiasm to bring to light a story about this dangerous trade, they may have gotten carried away and forgotten about, say, morals. To exploit amputees for some publicity seems evil. But maybe this issue is worthwhile enough to be made into a big Hollywood film so people will pay attention to it, no matter what the cost. What do you think? Do some bad actions get canceled out if the end result is something good?

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Blood Diamond Screening Looks Fun

PopSugar — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 23:52:27 -0800

Who knew such a controversial movie would be such a fun time. Leo and his co-stars Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou were on hand for a screening of Blood Diamond at the MoMA in NY last night. Jennifer and her husband Paul Bettany sure seem to be enjoying themselves. In fact, she has a sort of glow about her and Paul seems to be lovingly holding his wife's belly. We're not one to start rumors but could these two be expecting more than Oscar buzz?

For more pics of Leo and his co-stars as well as Kyle MacLachlan, Glenn Close, Emmy Rossum, Ice T and Coco at the screening just read more

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Leo's Mom Is One Lucky Lady

PopSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:35:10 -0800

Leonardo's is very picky about the films he makes. Maybe that's why before this year he hasn't been in one since The Aviator. Lucky for us - he's in two this year, The Departed and Blood Diamond. Apparently he is just as picky about his jewels as he is about his films. Recently he did a press junket for his latest film where he was asked whether his new film had changed his mind about diamonds. Here's more:

"Well, I don't remember the last time I have," he said. "My mom is the only person that I would buy something like that for, and for a while now she hasn't wanted one. But that isn't to say that people shouldn't buy them."

How can consumers make sure they're not buying conflict diamonds? "From my conversations with Global Witness or Amnesty International, you have to go into the stores and buy these diamonds and ask for a certificate, ask for some sort of authentication that this isn't a conflict diamond," he said. "That's one of the biggest ways that this whole process can be put to a stop."

He also said he and costar Djimon Hounsou spent a lot of time hanging out in muddy swamps while filming the movie. "We would sit there and talk about the different kinds of hot chocolates that you can get in Paris and the croissants. We'd sit there and dream like two weird women about pastries."

More pics of Leo on Melrose in LA shopping around, but probably not for diamonds so read more

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Leo's Blood Diamond Premieres in LA

PopSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:14:37 -0800

The cast of Blood Diamond hit the red carpet again last night, this time for the LA premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater. We love that Leo is an activist for good things and it's great that he's found a new cause to be passionate about. Who knows if he can single-handedly change the diamond business, but it sure doesn't hurt to try. He says:

"Basically these diamonds have funded warlords to cause civil unrest and [led to] millions of people being murdered throughout Africa," DiCaprio said. "Child soldiers have to fight these wars, and [there are] millions of refugees."

"This movie is symbolic of what happens when we as consumers endorse a corporation and the way they do business by buying their products," DiCaprio said. "I could never have imagined that something that represents the symbol of love where we come from could have [caused] such devastation on a continent halfway around the world."

He's so convincing, but that doesn't mean you have to stop buying diamonds altogether. Leo says when buying your precious stones, just make sure to get certification that they aren't conflict diamonds. For more pics including Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Collins, Morgan Freeman, Benu Mabhena, Edward Zwick, and Caruso Kuypers just read more

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