Stop the Lies, Penelope Cruz

RAPAPORT... As the glitterati gathered for a swank cocktail party on theAvenue des Champs-Elys?(C)es to mark Paris Fashion Week, Penelope Cruz (pictured, right) was busyposing for the cameras alongside Nadja Swarovski (left). The Spanish model and moviestar was attending the "Atelier Swarovski: Cocktail of the New PenelopeCruz Fine Jewelry Collection" event topromote her latest money-making venture.Cruz had already worn some of her new jewelry inMay at the Cannes Film Festival, but Monday's event was intended to maximizemedia coverage for what she is touting as her "sustainable" jewelry range.Those trying to sell synthetic-diamond jewelrytend to use all their creative energy to come up with alternative names for lab-growndiamonds rather than calling them what they are. Cruz's use of "sustainable"joins other misleading terms such as "created" and "grown."However, Cruz's biggest sin on Monday night wasthe explanation behind her motivation to produce this new "sustainable" jewelry."I care about not having a negative impact on the planet," she claimed.I will not spend time exposing the lie that theproduction of synthetic diamonds has no "negative impact" on the planet, butinstead focus on the fact that Cruz, like Leonardo DiCaprio before her, isresponsible for spreading such lies and misinformation.The investment in and promotion of syntheticdiamonds threatens the livelihoods of millions of artisanal diggers. Aroundeight million of the world's poorest people rely on the income that comes directlyfrom the artisanal mining of diamonds. In some of the world's mostimpoverished countries, mining is the only viable means of social and economicgrowth. The solution Cruz and DiCaprio should bepromoting is responsible mining, not destroying the livelihood of thosecommunities that depend on diamonds.It is striking that while Cruz's collection usesonly synthetic diamonds, it features fair-trade gold and ethically sourcedtopaz. Why not use fair-trade diamonds? Why not support artisanal diggers andtheir families? Why continue to spread the lie that has been sown by synthetic-diamondproducers, that lab-grown diamonds are the "ethical" and "environmentallyfriendly" solution? Why spread the lie that only synthetic diamonds can providea clean conscience for people who "care about not having a negative impact onthe planet"?The reason is simple. It is far easier for Cruz -through ignorance of the real facts - to help the synthetics industry persuadepeople to turn their backs on Africa's artisanal mining communities than toeducate herself and support those in the diamond and jewelry industry that needit most.Image: Swarovski/Instagram