Editor’s Note
Tiffany & Co. has announced a new transparency initiative, pledging to disclose the origin of newly mined, individually registered gemstones on its diamond certificates—a level of detail not currently standard in the luxury jewelry industry.
Tiffany & Co announced today that it will begin including the origin of individually registered, newly mined gemstones in the Tiffany Diamond Certificate. This data is not provided in reports from other industry laboratories or international luxury jewelry companies, representing a very significant step on the path towards transparency in diamond sourcing.
To provide its customers with specific information about the region or country of origin of the diamonds they purchase, the company will meticulously track each stone (0.18 carats or larger) using a unique laser-inscribed serial number invisible to the naked eye. Beyond general “conflict-free” guarantees, Tiffany believes this procedure ensures its sourcing methods are among the most responsible in the world.
Furthermore, it revealed that before 2020 it will begin disclosing the craftsmanship journey of each diamond, committing to provide 100% geographic transparency and will not provide any stones of unknown origin, even when responsible sourcing is guaranteed. This initiative, built on 20 years of investments for responsible mineral acquisition, also sets a new precedent in the industry.
This information will be made available at the “Love & Engagement” counters in Tiffany stores worldwide, alongside a selection of diamond rings with their individual origin clearly specified. For legacy stones predating this policy, Tiffany will provide buyers with confirmation that the diamond was sourced using industry-leading practices.
Since 1999, Tiffany has dedicated resources to vertical integration, prioritizing the transparency of its supply chain. Nearly 90% of individually registered diamonds (by volume) have been supplied through the company’s operations in Belgium, Botswana, Mauritius, Vietnam, and Cambodia, where artisans plan, cut or shape, and polish rough diamonds from known and responsibly managed mines.
The remaining percentage comes from trusted polished diamond suppliers who have complied with Tiffany’s Diamond Sourcing Assurance Protocol. However, from now on, they must go beyond “conflict-free” guarantees to establish the geographic origin of any polished diamond sold to Tiffany, which will mark a new era in the jewelry industry under a sustainable banner.
