Diamonds That Give Back

When you think of diamonds, you think of love, after all nothing says "I love you" like a diamond. However, diamonds are more than just a symbol of love, they are symbol of hope for people, they give back. There are a number of jewelers who have created diamond pieces that support a charity or giving back to the communities that they are mined in.

Here are some we featured that give back to Africa:

VIDEO AND CHARITY INFO AFTER THE JUMP...

1) Simmons Jewelry Co. Green Bracelet - D.E.F (education) - $125
A non profit organization founded by Russell Simmons to raise money for education programs in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource.
www.simmonsjewelryco.com

2) Ruff & Cut - St. George’s Orphanage in Freetown (orphanage) - $1,500
Rescues children from the streets of Freetown, Sierra Leone
www.ruffandcut.com

3) Ileana Makri - OrphanAID in Ghana (orphanage) - $240 & $640
A non-profit organization with a mission to help orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana, W. Africa
www.yoox.com

4) Alex Woo - African Wildlife Foundation (land & wildlife) - $3,198
Since 1961, AWF has been working with the people of Africa to ensure that the wildlife and wild lands of Africa endure forever.
www.alexwoo.com

5) Helen Ficalora - breast initiatives - $500 (breast cancer)
www.helenficalora.com

6) Cartier LoveCharity Bracelets (breast cancer)
Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Emmy Rossum (pink, $995)
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation - Liv Tyler (deep pink, $475)
www.cartier.com

7) Cartier LoveCharity - The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance - Julianne Moore (lavender - $475)The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance is dedicated to finding a cure for tuberous sclerosis while improving the lives of those affected

8) Emma & Me - LiveLife - $176 (skin cancer)
Raising people's awareness of melanoma (skin cancer). Raises funds for research for a cure.
www.emmaandme.com

CHILDREN’S / ANIMALS
9) St. Jude’s Hospital for Children - Catherine Angiel - $3,250 & $4,400
Hospital for children with cancer and other diseases. Research center. All children accepted regardless of ability to pay
www.catherineangiel.com

9) Hope for Henry - Mauri Pioppo - $630
Foundation that helps children with life threatening diseases. Improves the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses by providing carefully chosen gifts and specially-designed programs to entertain and promote comfort, care and recovery.
www.mauripioppo.com

10) ASPCA - Catherine Angiel $2,200 and Mauri Pioppo $500
Charity for abused animals

GLOBAL
11) Roberto Coin - YouthAids - starts at $6,600 to $42,000
An education and prevention program of PSI, uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and reach 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.
www.robertocoin.com

12) Alex Woo - Natural Resource Defense Council - $1,118 (pendant) & $9,428 (cuff)Protects wildlife & wild places. To safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.
www.alexwoo.com