Omar Tesdell’s column regarding conflict diamonds (“Diamonds not everyone’s best friend,” Feb. 15) was quite accurate and I applaud the various organizations involved in attempting to stop the exploitation of the diamond business in financing political wars. As one intimately involved in the jewelry business, I am constantly striving to ensure our diamonds come from non-conflict areas. No one wants to support terrorism in any form.

Let’s not forget, however, that a few bad apples needn’t spoil the whole basket. The diamond trade, as a whole, supports democracy and the expression of human rights around the world.

Should we stop buying gasoline and driving our cars because those responsible for the World Trade Center tragedy were from an oil-producing nation, Saudi Arabia? Certainly not.

In closing, a very small percentage of the world’s diamond production comes from the four countries of Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We in the diamond trade will continue to support U.N. sanctions as well as the Kimberly Process, a system which will ensure diamonds reaching the consumer will not come from conflict areas.

Greg Youngberg

Ames Silversmithing