After having a monopoly in the diamond market for manyyears, by2000, De Beers faced competition from other companies. To maintain its marketshare, De Beers

A.

lowered the prices of its diamonds to make the market appear less profitable to potential competitors.

B.

began buying socalled "blood diamonds" in order to keep these diamonds out of the control of other diamond companies.

C.

adopted a strategy of differentiating its diamonds. Each of its diamonds is now marked with a microscopic brand.

D.

bought diamond mines in Canada and Russia that had been its competitors.