FROM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO AMERICAN CONSUMERS:
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OPRAH TRYING TO PROTECT DIAMOND INDUSTRY & HER PROFITS
For those of you who missed it, yesterday’s Oprah show was a big disappointment. Leonardo DiCaprio did his best to say what consumers can do, but Oprah overwhelmed her show with a 2-part video on how diamonds are helping Africa and how the KP is basically eliminating conflict diamonds.
Nothing about how blood diamonds are still a problem, nothing about our website, nothing on the Cote d’Ivoire situation, nothing on the industry’s failures, etc.
Apparently, Oprah has her own agenda with diamonds. She has an exclusive line of diamonds with one of the most powerful diamond companies in the world - DeBeers. DeBeers persuaded Oprah to tell people on her show that diamonds are helping Africa instead of hurting so people will continue buying diamonds - especially her diamonds so both DeBeers and Oprah can profit from the exploitation of Africa. So here’s a little post-show research on what she’s up to behind the scenes.
Oprah has 2 links to the diamond industry:
1 Most importantly, she markets diamonds on her show, magazine, and website. Doesn’t look like she has her own retail diamonds line, but she does market various diamond jewelry. (see links below to several “Oprah-inspired” diamond necklaces, watches, rings, etc.) So she may have agreements with diamond companies behind the scenes. It’s proven to have huge effects on the sales of diamond jewelry (I’ve attached several articles below). She also does have a boutique (which is closed until January, so I can’t tell if there are diamonds for sale).
2 The person who launched and published her magazine “O: The Oprah Magazine” for several years is now the head of DEBEERS USA – Alyce Alston. Hmm. (I’ve attached an article about her below).
Oprah-inspired diamond jewelry:
- “Tiffany and Oprah inspired cubic zirconia engagement ring”, available at
http://www.glitzs.com/itemdetails.asp?mod=1241
- “Oprah’s favorite things” Philip Teslar diamond watch, available at
http://www.oprah.com/presents/2005/h..._350_101.jhtml
- “Oprah’s inspired elegant diamond pear drop silver earrings” availabel at
http://www.evesaddiction.com/erz10211.html
- Oprah Locman diamond aluminium watch, featured in O, Oprah Magazine, November 2001 and currently being promoted on the Oprah.com website at
http://www2.oprah.com/omagazine/olis...0200_acc.jhtml
- Diamond pendant chain
http://www.nextag.com/oprah-diamond/...E2622C994E2857
De Beers exec a Jacksonian of all trades The Clarion-Ledger April 8, 2005 Friday
Copyright 2005 The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)
All Rights Reserved
The Clarion-Ledger
April 8, 2005 Friday
SECTION: BUSINESS; Pg. 1C
LENGTH: 685 words
HEADLINE: De Beers exec a Jacksonian of all trades
BYLINE: Nell Luter Floyd,
nlfloyd@clarionledger.com
BODY:
Alyce Alston to oversee diamond merchant's retail division
By Nell Luter Floyd
Alyce Alston's career has carried her from launching Oprah Winfrey's O magazine to now working for one of the world's largest diamond merchants.
Alston, a Jackson native who was the publisher of O, The Oprah Magazine at its debut in 2000 and then group publisher of Fairchild Publications' W magazine, is the new chief executive officer of De Beers North America.
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