The Story of Rama, Sita and Ravana

A long time ago Ravana was the king of Lanka. He was a very powerful king. At that time Prince Rama and his beautiful wife Sita lived in a forest in India. Ravana came to hear how very beautiful Sita was. He wanted to make her his wife. So he went in to the forest where Sita lived and took her away when Rama was not there.He bought her to his place in Lanka in a flying chariot shaped like a peacock.

Rama searched everywhere for his wife with his brother Lakshman and Hanuman, the monkey king. At last hanuman found sita at Ravana's palace in Lanka. He went back to give the news to Rama. But before going back he set fire to many towns and villages in Ravana's kingdom.

Rama got together a large army and went back to Lanka to fight Ravana. They crossed the sea on a stone bridge built by Hanuman. Rama's army met Ravana's army and there was a great battle between them. Many soldiers and heroes on both sides died in the fight. Rama's army was able to defeat Ravana's army at last. After the defeat of Ravana, Rama took sita back to India.

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Platinum, gold, diamonds et al - Mugabe's poor health gives miners hope?

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, who retains tight control over the country, appears to be giving the country's foreign-controlled mining companies some hope of respite from the indigenisation law that is forcing them to hand over 51% of their operations to local ownership.  Some have already acceded - notably Rio Tinto with its diamond operation at Murowa - while others, particularly the country's platinum miners, seem to be prevaricating as long as possible in the hope that things may change and the law repealed or softened under a future post-Mugabe government.  But with increasing pressure being put on them to accede, time is running out.

Currently Mugabe's ZANU/PF party is in an uneasy coalition government with Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) after heavily disputed elections in 2008 which most observers reckon was won comfortably by the MDC - but in effect Mugabe as President retains control of the country and its major policies - and importantly has the backing of the army.  Tsvangirai, as Prime Minister, has stated that he thinks the country's indigenisation policy is strangling any recovery as overseas companies, which might pour money into the development of the country's mining industry in particular, are seen to be holding off on inward investment hoping for a change of government and the law.

But things in Zimbabwe are never that simple.  Mugabe's rumoured severe cancer  - if correct - could lead to his death, or standing down sooner rather than later.  Reuters notes a Wikileaks-released U.S. diplomatic cable from 2008 as saying Mugabe has prostate cancer that has spread to other organs and was urged by his physician to step down in 2008 and Zimbabwe's Central Bank Governor as saying at the time that the cancer could lead to Mugabe's death in 3-5 years.  But any reports of Mugabe's ill-health are heavily suppressed within the country.

Should Mugabe stand down, or die in office, there is no obvious ZANU/PF candidate to take over such has been Mugabe's dominance as the party's figurehead.  Any free and fair election held without Mugabe as ZANU/PF leader would likely lead to an MDC mandate, but recent history suggests that any such electoral process would be far from free and fair with assumed ZANU/PF intimidation and ballot rigging, particularly if the party is seen as possibly losing power altogether.  There are too many vested interests at stake. It is thought ZANU/PF would not give up easily and there might also be the distinct possibility of the army stepping in and taking over in a military coup.  Too many of the ZANU/PF and army hierarchy have too much to lose in a total change of government.

But what of the country's mining sector?  Zimbabwe has the world's second largest platinum resources with its platinum mining sector dominated by the big South African pgm mining companies and it is their holding off on expansion plans which is adversely affecting the Zimbabwean recovery in particular.  Zimbabwe used to have a significant gold mining industry, but this has diminished drastically through lack of investment and, at one stage severe payment difficulties from the country's Central Bank which at the time, by law, had to purchase all the gold output.  There is little doubt that a perceived stable, mining friendly, government would lead to a huge upsurge in the exploration and exploitation in the gold mining sector.

Zimbabwe is also host to what is perhaps the world's most prolific diamond field at Marange where mining appears to be controlled by the army with the original companies with rights to the area forced out by the government.  It is widely believed that there is substantial forced labour involved in the mining there which had been the scene of huge artisanal mining activity and that the proceeds are almost entirely nowadays believed to be for the benefit of senior army officers and ZANU/PF executives.

But that is not all - the country has substantial resources of all kinds of metals and minerals, most of which are not being exploited fully or even partly, because of the political and economic situation.  It also has huge agricultural potential and again this has mostly been run down through the original efficient farmers being driven off the land and much falling into ruin and disuse.  Zimbabwe, post Mugabe, could become one of Africa's richest nations assuming a positive change in government can be achieved, but the likelihood of this actually happening would still seem to be remote.

Helzberg Diamonds

Helzberg Diamonds is a retail chain that spans the United States. The company is in the elite five percent of jewelers that are part of the American Gem Society (AGS), because of its product knowledge, integrity and ethical jewelry practices. This location is beautiful and filled with several glass cases, sparkling gems and teddy bears for sale. Customers can choose from a variety of items like modern fashion jewelry or more traditional pieces. Ample parking is available.  

• Hours: Mon - Sat, 10am - 9pm; Sun, 11am - 6pm
• Handicap Accessible: Yes
• Payments accepted: American Express, Cash, Debit Card, Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Store Credit Card, Visa
• Products: Fine jewelry and watches
• Services: Financing, Gift certificates, Gift wrapping, Repair
• ATM: No
• Public restrooms: No
• Parking: Free lot
• Private events: Yes
• Original design / hand-made?: Yes
• Part of a chain: Yes
• Tailoring: Yes
• Vintage: No
• Jewelry & watch services: Appraisal

Blood Diamonds – How does one Know?

The story of blood diamonds is essentially pretty straightforward, however simply the term blood diamonds brings up horrendous pictures of individuals who are subjected to unthinkable acts forced upon them by their own countrymen. i’ll use the term, blood diamonds, to confer with diamonds delivered to market throughout the bloody civil war that occurred in Sierra Leone throughout the 90′s which finally came to an finish in 2002. the quantity of blood diamonds made throughout this era was a comparatively bit compared to total world production however it absolutely was enough to be a district of the funding for the rebels.

a bit of background.

I will simplify the story a trifle so as to present some backdrop to what led up to the present unhappy amount of the humanity. Sierra Leone was a British colony that gained independence within the early 60′s. Sierra Leone started off on its independence practically, as a result of it had a comparatively sensible infrastructure and it had already been mining diamonds since the 1930′s. within the late 60′s, a main minister by the name of Siaka Stevens came into workplace. He proceeded to run the country into the bottom till he and his successor were finally out of workplace by 1992. it absolutely was within the late 80′s and early 90′s that the anti-government cluster, the ruf, was formed. For consequent four years, there was an ineffectual string of corrupt military folks running the country. it absolutely was throughout this era that the ruf moved into the diamond manufacturing space of japanese Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone’s diamonds are alluvial in nature… Alluvial diamonds are deposits of diamonds found in lowlands areas, in recent river beds, within the beds of streams and shallow rivers. Diamonds are fashioned deep within the earth and are available to the surface by means of volcanic eruptions and therefore the ensuing mountain of cooled lava winds up being eroded away by rain. The diamond rough is washed away and winds up in alluvial deposits. Most alluvial diamonds are typically found between some feet to twenty feet below the surface. comparatively very little capital and solely basic technology (shovels, sieves, and muscles) are needed to mine alluvial diamonds. These alluvial diamond mining areas are simply controlled by armed thugs.

In 1995, a bunch of “gunslingers” from south Africa, known as government outcomes, were employed and that they cleaned up the matter of the ruf being within the diamond fields. The un stepped in, elections were held in 1996, and a former un official, Ahmad Tejan Kebbah, was elected the new president. government outcomes was asked to go away and in brief order, the diamond manufacturing space of Kono was once more taken over by the ruf.

A horrible amount in history!

it was at now that the ruf began the horrendous act of keeping apart people’s hands!!!! Why?… as a result of that they had voted throughout the recent election! Amputations were designed to terrorize the population and it absolutely was terribly effective. It wasn’t but an action directly associated with the diamond mining operations. it’s the image of those brutal acts that has been forever linked to “blood diamonds”.

During the subsequent six year amount, the ruf teamed up with another thug, Charles Taylor, who was pillaging Sierra Leone’s not far away neighbor, Liberia. along the two teams were fascinated by power and would kill or terrorize anyone who dawned their means. Blood diamonds was a part of their economic and terror campaign. It finally came to a head, once the ruf had come back into freetown and went on a nightmarish killing spree. The British then sent commandos into Sierra Leone to settle matters in 2002.

The folks of Sierra Leone are attempting to maneuver on however…

people became awake to the blood diamond scenario, they took action, the civil war resulted in 2002 and currently the folks of Sierra Leone have moved on and are attempting to rebuild their country. a crucial funding supply of their rebuilding efforts comes from the cash brought in from diamond mining.

There are folks within the jewellery business who are attempting to form matters higher for everybody… Most notably, martin rapaport. There are two videos embedded on my web site that specify a number of the actions that are commencing to occur.

Being politically correct isn’t a decent plan…

there are those who aren’t serving to matters of the Africans making an attempt to modernize their countries. Some politically correct folks, the “blood diamond Nazis”, are railing against the concept of anyone shopping for or owning a diamond as a result of in their minds they see horrible atrocities each time that they appear at any diamonds, they see “blood diamonds”. it’s become their mission to unfold the word by disseminating out dated facts that aren’t correct and it’s these “facts” that do lots of damage to the lots of folks in these rising countries. These “blood diamond Nazis” won’t rest till everybody stops buying and carrying diamonds. they’re ultimately hurting the Africans that they claim they’re making an attempt to assist.

There are some suppliers of diamonds and diamond simulants that are taking advantage of everyone’s disdain of the concept of blood diamonds by promoting the very fact that it’s their merchandise that are the choice to blood diamonds… Most notably the those who sell diamond simulants (cubic zirconia or moissanite) or who sell “ethical diamonds” from regions apart from africa. additionally, there are some organizations that also need to stay the concept of blood diamonds alive in people’s minds… they are doing this largely for fund raising purposes-

– “you will facilitate place a stop to blood diamonds by sending in your donation now!?”
– “attention webmasters!, create a donation to our effort and you’ll be able to place this “stop blood diamonds!” emblem on your web site to point out your guests that you just very care regarding the folks of sierra Leone!”

When you move to these groups’ websites… Their “up to date” reference material regarding blood diamonds is from 1998 to 2001 and a few of the knowledge even dates back to 1982.

It is unbelievable that some folks are using pictures of sierra Leone amputees to push shopping for Canadian “ethical diamonds”, or to push shopping for diamond stimulants, or used for fund raising functions. Anytime you see these pictures bear in mind that these folks are attempting to govern you at identical time that they’re serving to solely themselves and not serving to the folks within the photos! These folks, the “not for profit” ngos and therefore the for profit firms, they require you to believe that there’s currently a blood bathtub occurring in elements of Africa and this case will totally be blamed on conflict diamonds. I even have never seen a photograph or a video of, or heard a report a couple of piece of diamond rough reading a rifle and killing somebody. folks did all of those horrible things to others.

Where can we go from here?

Sierra Leone’s war is over, sierra Leone’s blood diamonds are within the past. the quantity of “conflict diamonds” solely accounts for zero.02% of yearly worldwide diamond production… this could create it very unlikely that you’d ever encounter a conflict diamond! If you checked out one diamond each day, each single day, it’d take thirteen.7 years before you’d come upon a conflict diamond… i assume it’s regarding identical likelihood of obtaining struck by lightning!

Today, the African folks want the remainder of the globe to seem at diamonds as things of beauty and for folks to feel sensible regarding diamonds! To encourage folks to not purchase any diamonds or to discriminate against African diamonds in favor of “ethical diamonds” from non-African countries doesn’t facilitate the folks in Africa build hospitals, roads, and colleges.

Several years ago, I had the honour of hearing a speech from Erkki Nghimtina, Namibian minister of mines and energy. I referred back to my notes, along side some informational handouts from the speech… And here is that the African’s current read of the diamond trade-

“Every diamond not purchased could be a missed likelihood for Africa – a missed chance to send additional youngsters to highschool, build additional clinics and hospitals, and continue the fight against hiv/aids. Our challenge is to figure along to strengthen the continent’s diamond business in order that we will higher offer for our folks, enabling us all to share a brighter future.”

Bud Boland has been within the jewellery business for forty years and has done everything from watchmaking, diamond setting, jewellery creating, and has been a Gemologist for nearly thirty five years. he’s a Graduate Gemologist from GIA, that is additionally the place where he was a Resident Diamond Instructor. He has taught regarding diamonds to many students from all round the world. he’s currently committed to manufacturing the sole diamond shopping for guide anyone would ever want… unbiased recommendation from inside the jewellery business.