We visited a town... I don't recall the name... but about 20 minutes from Akwatia. They are well known as a diamond dealer village. Along the streets are usually a few men sitting at a desk with some small equipment, just hanging out. They are actually diamond buyers. This guy is some type of dealer/buyer or something and he was selecting out the different grades of diamond according to color. Grade I is clear, Grade II is a bit yellow, and so on. Once we got out of the car, we were nearly swarmed by people asking us what we were looking for. They knew we were surely there for diamonds... they just wanted to know what color, grade and carrot weight. Once that info has been established, a wide selection of people will come out of no where for you to view their diamonds so that you may buy. The whole situation was a bit scary. So.... we saw what we wanted to see and left. I actually held a 2 carrot (sp?) diamond in my hand. Nice.... it was in raw form and had yet to be polished or shape but it was still pretty amazing. I have more pics of the places where they mine the diamonds... but you can see those when I get home!! :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
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I usually post a comment immediately after you post something new... but I have been torn about this diamond and gold mine stuff. I think it is cool that you went to go and see it, but I have heard that the people who actually excavate the diamonds/gold are completely exploited. The whole idea about "blood diamonds". That these poor people give their blood, sweat and tears for someone else's profit does not sit right with me. Did you see alot of that? What do the people think about it there?
ReplyDeleteWe will have to talk more about this when you get home! :)