What Questions You Can Ask to Determine if a Diamond Retailer is Ethical.
In this feature article published exclusively for FJA, Naomi explores the critical questions you need to ask of your diamond supplier. The content of this article represents the authors opinions only.
What Questions You Can Ask to Determine if a Diamond Retailer is Ethical
If only buying a diamond was as easy as buying a sweater. There are an endless number of sizes, styles and price points to consider. Then there is the cut and clarity to worry about. And finally, shoppers of today are also concerned about the ethics of the diamond trade.
“Conflict diamonds” come from war-torn areas of Africa that are illegally sold to fund insurgents and rebel forces that often engage in some horrific practices. If you are worried about the origin of a diamond, there are some questions to ask to help choose a brilliant stone that you can give or wear without the tarnish of leaving a significant negative impact on the world.
Where Do Your Diamonds Originate From?
If you want to choose an ethical diamond, ask where the gems are sourced from. Big-box retail sales associates may not know the answer, but if you know the brand name of the company that produced the jewelry, country of origin is easy to find through a quick google search. Look for jewelers that tell you their diamonds are either lab-created, mined and cut in the United States or Canada, or obtained through verified conflict-free channels that adhere to ethical worker safety and environmental standards.
You may hear a retailer say that their diamonds adhere to the Kimberley Process, standards that were designed in 2003 to address the conflict diamond question. However, experts have come to agree that those standards are extremely narrow and do not address human rights abuses, environmental impact, fair labor practices and its definition of “conflict” is extremely narrow. That’s not to say you should avoid retailers that cite the process, but you should choose a retailer that has a multi-level approach to avoiding conflict diamonds that includes more than just the Kimberley Process.
Don’t necessarily take the jeweler’s word at face value. Some may be less than forthcoming with the actual details of their diamonds, or they simply may not know the truth themselves. Always verify their claims by conducting your own research. There has been much published about the ethical diamond trade, and a simple Google search can lead you in the right direction.
Where Does The Gold Originate From?
Very rarely is gold ore found in abundance, and once found it can take ten years to make a fully operational mine in the area. Currently, the biggest gold deposits are in: Ghana, Australia, Johannesburg, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, and Russia.
Gold mining can have a significant impact on the environment. As a consumer, you have the responsibility and ability to support a conscientious global trade and business in the gold industry.
Recently there have been concerns around the connections between natural resources and conflict. Through extensive conversation with governments and academics, the World Gold Council developed the “Conflict-Free Gold Standard.” Although the council is continuously looking to improve and plug up the holes in their system, there is still work to be done on the consumer side to promote ethical gold mining.
Ask the companies that you give your business to inform you on how they follow or improve upon international standards: such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OCED Guidelines for Multinational Resources.
Usually when a low socio-economic region encounters gold ore, it worsens the area and the quality of living, ironically. However, purchasing gold from a region that follows a responsible gold standard ensures the people and workers of the region are benefited from the purchase, and improves the economy of these areas.
Make sure to research the demand of gold when you’re buying, as it is common for regulations to relax when demand increases. Gold distributors can only be expected to evolve if there is no other option, which can happen if you demand specific ways that a company sources their gold and make your purchase decision based on their response.
Think Before You Buy
When purchasing diamond jewelry, it can be easy to get swept up in the process. Diamonds have been enchanting humans for centuries, and with good reason. Before you get swept up in the romance of a bauble, take a step back and remember that you want the piece to last a lifetime, and it should come with only positive feelings. Take your time and research potential retailers. Know where their materials are sourced from, and if necessary, do your homework to verify their claims. Once you know that a diamond is ethical, you (or its recipient) will love it that much more.
Naomi Janelle Shaw
Online web journalist, beautician, and mother.
All images Courtesy of Shutterstock
