Jennifer Connelly's diamond despair

Jan 27, 2007, 8:00 GMT

01/24/2007 - Jennifer Connelly - Blood Diamond Premiere and Photocall in Rome - Warner Village Moderno Cinema - Rome, Italy © Insidefoto / Photorazzi

Jennifer Connelly has admitted she will never enjoy diamonds again after making her latest movie.

The 36-year-old actress, who stars in 'Blood Diamond' alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, says she was shocked to learn that the conflict diamond industry in Sierra Leone funds civil wars and uses child soldiers.

Jennifer said: "I didn't know what conflict diamonds were. It's impossible for me to look at diamonds the same way as before."

The 'A Beautiful Mind' star says she doesn't have to question the origin of her engagement ring from Paul Bettany - who she married on New Years Day 2003 - because she doesn't have one.

She said: "We just have these very simple gold bands.

"But these earrings are Bulgari diamonds. They came with a certificate. The more people insist on that, the more the diamond industry will have to work to close these loopholes."

** Don't despair over diamonds-here are some GREAT alternatives:

#  White Sapphire

Scientists have, for many years, sought to find a more inexpensive way to recreate the beauty of diamond, and have come up with a variety of alternatives. One of the earliest of these was White Sapphire, which has been used as a diamond substitute since the beginning of the twentieth century. Though this stone displays many of the same qualities of diamond, it fell out of popular use in the 1940s. Because of this though, it remains highly prized today, as the jewelry it graces is now antique, which gives white sapphire a charm all of its own.

# Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia made its jewelry debut in 1976, and has remained the most cost effective and realistic diamond replica since then. Available at a fraction of the cost of real diamond, its appearance is uncannily similar. A variety of characteristics have made diamond the sought after gemstone it has become, and cubic zirconia displays many of these features, dispersing light in a similar fashion to diamond, for example, giving it that same brilliance that makes diamond beautiful.

# Moissanite

The most recent diamond substitute developed is Moissanite, a substance originally discovered in a meteorite, or shooting star, that fell to earth. While moissanite is used in jewelry as a diamond substitute, many experts feel it to be even more beautiful than the gemstone itself. It reflects twice as much light as diamond, making a stone that is doubly brilliant. While the limited availability of moissanite makes it more expensive than cubic zirconia, it is still considerably cheaper than real diamonds. Choosing moissanite will give your ring twice the sparkle at a much-reduced price.

# Ruby

An engagement ring is a special piece of jewelry that should ideally reflect something of the bride-to-be and the love she shares with her future husband. Increasingly, women are choosing gemstones that are more personal to them than diamonds, selecting perhaps a birthstone, or a gem in a favorite color. A popular alternative to the purity of the diamond is the passion and lifeblood represented by a Ruby, which is sometimes called the "king of gemstones". Sensuous and fiery, it is the perfect symbol of the intimacy shared between the future husband and wife.

# Emerald

Another evocative choice is the springtime green of Emerald. The color of Venus, the ancient Roman goddess of love, emeralds are an enduring symbol of love, beauty and youth, making them the perfect expression of a long-lasting love that will remain as pure and true as the day on which it was first celebrated through the act of betrothal.

(C) BANG Media International