If you see this message, your browser is not running JavaScript.
 
Find A Jeweler | Contact Us | Members | Affiliates

Jewelers of America members distinguish themselves through their commitment to professionalism and to high social, ethical, and environmental standards.

In recent years, a number of specific issues related to consumer confidence have surfaced. JA helps its members with information and guidance on these issues:

Conflict Diamonds

Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds illegally traded by rebels to fund armed conflicts with legitimate governments. Although most of the conflicts that sparked public awareness of the conflict diamonds in 1999 have ended (Sierra Leone and Angola), there remain a few trouble spots in Africa where conflict continues and diamonds are involved. To prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain, the Kimberley Process was adopted in 2002. It regulates 99% of the rough diamond trade worldwide, through a system of import/export controls. Key industry representatives, including JA, worked with international governments and human rights groups to bring about this solution to the conflict diamond problem. JA members continue to support the Kimberley Process as it works to eliminate the trade of conflict diamonds.
Colored Gemstones

Burmese Gemstones
In keeping with its mission to uphold the most responsible business practices, Jewelers of America members have agreed to abide by JA's Statement of Principles, which obligates JA members to adhere to ethical practices on human rights issues. Therefore, Jewelers of America has asked members to inform their suppliers, that, due to the ongoing lack of democratic reforms in Myanmar, they will no longer buy gems mined in the country.

JA has also sent a letter to Congress requesting that they amend the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, which banned the importation into the U.S. of products from Myanmar in 2003, to add a reference to gemstones.

To see media coverage of Jewelers of America's stance on Burmese Gemtsones, click here.
Responsible Gold

Jewelers of America members take the impact of the gold jewelry supply chain seriously, and we believe that gold should be extracted and processed in a manner that respects the needs of current and future generations.
Synthetic Diamonds

Synthetic diamonds are diamonds that have been created by man with special equipment in a laboratory. These synthetic diamonds have the same optical, chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. For decades, man-made diamonds have been grown and used for industrial purposes. Today, very limited quantities of gem-quality synthetic diamonds are being produced and made available for use in jewelry. Gem quality synthetic diamonds, when introduced, may find a niche in the market as a new category of product available to consumers. It is our position that these new products, like all gemstone and jewelry products, must be described accurately at every level of the distribution chain with disclosure of all relevant information in accordance with Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.