Ethical Gemstones Resources for Jewelry
BRIEF: On this blog, you will find links to ethical and responsible gemstone resources for your jewelry business. - Reading time: 3 min.
PLEASE READ the previous blog about Responsible supply chains; there, you will learn what due diligence is, the components of a responsible supply chain, and find recommendations about how to approach suppliers. Also, read the certifications and guidelines post; traceable metals and gemstones are not the only components of a responsible jewelry business!
Photo by Edgar Soto on Unsplash
DON'T CHOOSE KIMBERLEY DIAMONDS; THEY ARE NOT CONFLICT-FREE!
Photo by Say Straight from Pexels
The Kimberley Process (KP) is a certification established in 2003 to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering the mainstream. Its diamonds are widely accepted by jewelers and marketed as conflict-free. But the KP "relies on a narrow "conflict diamond" definition that only focuses on rough diamonds sold by rebel groups seeking to overthrow a legitimate government, ignoring a wide range of human rights issues related to state actors or private security firms. Because of this glaring loophole a diamond certified as compliant under the Kimberley Process may still be tainted by abuse" (Quote from the 2020 report of the jewelry industry by the Human Rights Watch organization)
Recommended reading: Speech given by Shamiso Mtisi on behalf of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, which represents and cares for diamond workers, at the Kimberley Process meetings.
Photo from the CanadaMark Website
TRACEABLE AND CONFLICT-FREE MINED DIAMONDS
CANADAMARK
Cabadamark is a trademark by Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. That assures the integrity of the supply chain of Canadian diamonds from the Ekati Mine.
ROOT DIAMONDS
Root describes their stones as storied diamonds: "Our diamonds are sourced from artisanal miners & landowners at independent mines in Kono District, Sierra Leone. We reveal your diamond's human story and curate a lasting emotional connection by showing you the landowner/artisanal miner who discovered your stone."
PERPETUUM JEWELS
Perpetuum jewelry is a wholesaler for post-consumer, antique and unusual diamonds, and certified responsible gemstones that I found through the responsible jewelry convention.
DDI@RESOLVE
In 2020 RESOLVE and the DIAMOND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (DDI) merged. "DDI@RESOLVE created the Maendeleo Diamond Standards, the first-ever set of standards for ethical artisanal diamond production and supply chain security." According to Human Rights Watch, "the Maendeleo Standards go beyond the focus of other diamond schemes by addressing labor conditions, child labor, health and safety, and environmental protection."
Photo from the CVD Diamond website
LAB DIAMONDS
Contrary to popular belief, lab-created or synthetic diamonds are real diamonds, and they are an excellent conflict-free alternative that is becoming popular in the engagement ring industry. The difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds is that they form in a controlled environment and don't have the same chemical composition. Mined diamonds are hard carbon crystals.
Here are a few suppliers of lab diamonds:
Photo Credit: Eterneva
FROM ASHES OR HAIR TO LAB DIAMONDS
Eterneva is a unique US company that can transform ashes or hair from humans and animals into diamonds. "Whether you have ashes at home or recently lost a remarkable person - celebrate their life by making a diamond from ashes or hair."
COLORED GEMSTONES
The following group of gemstone vendors guarantees full provenance, traceability, and responsible supply chains. I found all of them through groups like Ethical Metalsmiths or the Responsible Jewelry Convention.
Photo from the Capricorn Gems website
Opal, Emerald, Garnet, Hessonite, Spessartine, Emerald, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Aquamarine, Morganite, Ruby, and Tourmaline in many colors
Sapphires, Tourmaline, Rhodolite, Spinel
Montana Sapphires in blue-green, teal, blue, green, orange, white, and yellow color available in different shapes and sizes.
Sapphires, Boulder Opal, Zircon, and Chrysoprase
They have an exceptionally well-organized store with many gemstones, pearls, and beads of different sizes, colors, and shapes.
GEMSTONES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT KNOWLEDGE HUB
Beryl, Aquamarine, Emerald, Goshenite, Heliodor, Morganite, Red Beryl, and more.
Photo from the Americut Gems website
Located in France, they ship worldwide freshly-mined, fully traceable gemstones: Almandine Garnet, aquamarine, emerald, peridot, pyrope garnet, rhodolite garnet, ruby, sapphire, spessartine garnet, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, and tsavorite garnet.
Rutilated quartz from the Pyramid Mine in Brazil. You can read the article about them by Ethica Metalsmiths HERE
Sapphire, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal, Ruby, Spinel, Tanzanite, Topaz, Tourmaline, Zircon, and more
Post-consumer, antique, and unusual colored gemstones
Socially responsible and ethically sourced citrine, quartz, amethyst, topaz, lapis lazuli, opal, and labradorite cut in Brooklyn, USA.
They offered multicolored Tourmalines and Rubellites with an intense pinkish-red tone, considered the most beautiful in the world.
Rough and cut gemstones and crystals
Photo from the Perlas del Mar de Cortez website
PEARLS
I found this company at the Responsible Jewelry Convention. Enrique, the owner, was giving a conference about sustainable pearl farming and what makes Perlas del Mar de Cortez unique.
They are a company of saltwater cultured pearls that offers tours and contribute to the ecological preservation of El Mar de Cortez in Mexico.
TRADERS AND MINERS WITH A CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION BY THE RESPONSIBLE JEWELRY COUNCIL
Photo from the Responsible Jewellery Council website
IMPORTANT! The suppliers on the following links are certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council, but the certification process requires traceability documentation to the country of origin only, not to the mine. Some of these suppliers may follow the OECD due diligence, but you will have to do your homework and ask.
Thanks for reading and for being here. All blog posts are "active." I update them as I find new information. We are a community. If you have relevant information on the subject you want others to know, please leave it in the comments below.
