Editor’s Note
This article highlights Tiffany & Co.’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical sourcing, tracing its leadership in diamond traceability and conservation efforts back over two decades.
Since 1995, when it petitioned the U.S. Department of the Interior not to permit the construction of a gold mine threatening Yellowstone National Park, Tiffany has contributed to environmental sustainability for over 20 years. As a leader in diamond traceability, the brand spearheaded efforts for U.S. participation in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) as early as 1999. In 2000, it established the Tiffany Foundation dedicated to philanthropy. Sustainability initiatives are so foundational to Tiffany’s business that they underpin all areas. A dedicated webpage clearly explains its timeline and activities. Since 2019, it has started providing origin information for all diamonds over 0.18 carats, a service also applied to new pieces like the iconic “Tiffany T One.”
Chopard began its “Journey to Sustainable Luxury” in 2013. In 2018, it achieved a 100% ethical gold supply chain, making headlines. In May 2020, it announced a new groundbreaking scheme: a project to source gold from small-scale miners, “Barequeros,” in the Chocó Department, one of Colombia’s poorest regions. At mining sites where women make up 46% of the workforce, traditional alluvial mining techniques using hand tools like sluice boxes and pans are employed. This mercury-free method helps protect a region with some of the world’s greatest biodiversity.
BVLGARI, which actively ran the “BVLGARI Bento Project” supporting healthcare workers during April and May of the pandemic, has been passionate about charity. Since 2009, it has continued supporting children through its partnership with Save the Children. By 2019, this long-term project had provided support, primarily education, to over 1.5 million children. To commemorate Save the Children’s 100th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of their partnership, BVLGARI released the fourth special collection necklace in May 2019. As with the first three editions, ¥10,800 from the price of each item is donated to the cause.
Since its founding in 1847, Cartier has inherited an excellent tradition. Its policy states that tradition means obligation, and fulfilling firm obligations in creation, know-how, and service quality also means performing duties in an ethical, social, and environmentally responsible manner, as stated on its official website. It prioritizes action against “conflict diamonds.” The concept of “conflict diamonds” emerged in the 1990s during conflicts in African nations like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Angola. Calls for contribution to ending regional conflicts came from diamond-producing countries, industry stakeholders, and NGOs, leading the UN to define them. In 2000, the “Kimberley Process,” a system launched by the UN, diamond-producing countries, the diamond industry, and NGOs, was established to unite in eliminating “conflict diamonds” from the global rough diamond market. On January 1, 2003, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) came into effect, certifying that diamonds originate from non-conflict areas. All rough diamonds circulating in the market must be sealed in containers with an original, tamper-proof certificate bearing a certification number issued by the exporting government. Regular inspections are conducted, with sanctions and expulsion from the scheme for violating countries. By 2006, it was proven that over 99% of rough diamonds in the market originated from non-conflict areas. Since 2003, all Cartier diamonds come with a guarantee. In 2005, Cartier joined as one of the 14 founding members of the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC), a non-profit organization aiming to establish and adhere to ethical standards in the jewelry industry across the entire process from mine to store, now with over 1000 member companies.
Since its founding in 1858, Boucheron has worked as an ambassador of the French jewelry industry to protect and enhance traditional know-how and skills. After joining Kering in 2000, it adheres to the group-wide “Gold Code,” a common ethical framework for controlling gold supply, which established an ethical sourcing system. In 2006, it became a member of the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC), an organization setting standards to promote ethical responsibility, human rights, social activity, and environmental conservation throughout the jewelry supply chain for diamonds, gold, platinum, and other precious metals. It uses diamonds compliant with the Kimberley Process. Furthermore, since 2014, it has been ordering gold from “Fairmined” certified mines, small to medium-scale mines adhering to proper labor conditions, human rights, and environmental standards. Boucheron achieved 100% ethical gold by 2020.
Graff, a London jeweler dealing only in large, finest-quality diamonds, works through its charity, the FACET Foundation (For Africa’s Children Every Time), in cooperation with local partners in South Africa. Under the vision of founder and current chairman Laurence Graff, it implements lasting programs to improve children’s health, education, and welfare standards. In the Kingdom of Lesotho, called the Switzerland of Africa, it integrates HIV and gender equality education into all programs and approaches, focusing on education beneficial to the community, including psychosocial and leadership development. In Mochudi, southeastern Botswana, it nurtures diverse life skills in people aged 12-25, providing support to maximize career opportunities, along with counseling and welfare support. In the Western Cape of South Africa, it provides educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged rural children, running after-school activities to improve math, literacy, and PC skills through mobile libraries and computers.
Damiani employs gemological experts selected by international standards. For its finest diamonds selected from suppliers complying with the Kimberley Process, engagement rings over 0.3 carats are engraved with the brand logo and certificate number. The Damiani family, the founding family, is engaged in providing concrete aid to people living near diamond mines in Africa, contributing to the launch of international projects. Since the summer of 2011, it has participated in the “Clean Water Project” supported by the non-profit association “Drop in the Bucket,” which tackles water and sanitation issues in Africa. Damiani has funded the installation of over 70 wells. In 2012, it launched the “Maji” collection (“Maji” means water in Swahili), donating part of the proceeds to the “Clean Water Project” through “Drop in the Bucket.” The “Maji” collection also gained attention for involving socially active Sharon Stone in its design. It uses rough diamonds in their unpolished, raw form, with rare designs reminiscent of the African landscape receiving high praise.
In sustainability, Pomellato values its people. Through a partnership with the Italian organization “Valore D,” it promotes the introduction of innovative business models and works to eliminate gender stereotypes. It provides female managers with methods and skills for professional growth and imparts cultural models for participation in economic and social life. It also supports women’s access to the labor market, particularly supporting community charity projects for victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, it focuses on promoting and protecting craftsmanship. Through a partnership with the Milan educational institution “Galdus Goldsmith Academy,” it builds excellent educational programs, tirelessly supporting talented youth while protecting Italian craftsmanship.