Jewelers of America Members adhere to our Code of Professional Practices, which includes social and environmental responsible business practices, such as ensuring the jewelry products and materials they purchase and sell are sourced responsibly and are conflict-free.

As a leader in the development of jewelry industry ethical standards, Jewelers of America is at the forefront of responsible sourcing issues. Jewelers of America, representing the U.S. jewelry marketplace, takes leadership positions on initiatives that protect the integrity of jewelry product through all stages of the supply chain from mining, export, import, manufacturing/trading, and retail sales.

Related Member Guides Diamond Guidance Gold & Conflict Minerals Precious Stones Due Diligence Report - released April 13, 2016

We believe that jewelry suppliers and retailers must work together to inspire confidence in fine jewelry and have published Diamond Sourcing and Gold Sourcing Guides for our members with examples of how to successfully establish standards and discuss the complex issues surrounding jewelry sourcing between jewelry retailers, suppliers the media and customers.

Responsible Sourcing Initiatives

Diamonds

Although significant progress has been made in controlling the flow of conflict diamonds, the jewelry industry must continue to work to ensure diamonds are sourced in a responsible manner. As a jewelry professional, it’s imperative that you understand the facts about conflict diamonds and are prepared to discuss this important issue with your customers. Login to read JA Diamond Guidance >

Kimberley Process

To prevent the sale of conflict diamonds, governments, our industry and human-rights groups established the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2002, which today regulates 99% of the rough diamond supply. Jewelers of America recommends that our Members require their suppliers to provide a written warranty, stating that their products are sourced from Kimberley-certified sources and are not involved in funding conflict. Learn more about this and the World Diamond Council’s System of Warranties in our diamond guidance materials.

Diamond Source Warranty Protocol

As the public, human rights groups and governments demand more accountability, the Kimberley Process cannot be a panacea for all issues and challenges throughout the diamond supply chain. As these concerns grow, industry participants and consumers need reassurances that go beyond the scope of the Kimberley Process, which has demonstrated its effectiveness in dealing with issues around conflict diamonds.

In 2012, Jewelers of America with other leading industry organizations developed The Diamond Source Warranty Protocol, a voluntary inventory management tool, to empower companies in their ethical sourcing decisions. Examples include national or international sanctions that prohibit companies from dealing with individuals and entities with connections to the diamond trade, government regulations and human rights violations. Jewelry retailers and jewelry suppliers who choose to use it on a voluntary basis have an inventory management tool that enables them to take steps toward better control of their supply chain. Login to learn more >

Gold

Issues related to responsible gold came to the forefront several years ago, with a greater focus on environmental and social impacts in the gold supply chain. As a jewelry professional, it’s imperative that you understand the facts about responsible gold and are prepared to discuss this important issue with your customers. Jewelers of America worked with leading jewelry companies and associations, such as the Responsible Jewellery Council, to proactively develop solutions to gold supply chain responsibility issues. We believe gold should be extracted and processed in a manner that respects the needs of people and the earth. Login for JA's Gold Guidance >

Precious Stones

While laudable efforts have been made by the jewelry industry to develop tools to support responsible sourcing of precious stones, there are still risks related to labor, human rights, the environment and commerce in colored stone and diamond supply chains. The Precious Stone Multi-Stakeholder Working Group (PS-MSWG) formed to study and address these risks to ensure the products from jewelry supply chains are ethically sourced and sold. In April 2016, the PS-MSWG released a comprehensive study and discussion paper, that was commissioned by Jewelers of America on behalf of the group. Click to review the Due Diligence for Responsible Sourcing of Precious Stones.
 

Responsible Jewellery Council

Jewelers of America helped found the Responsible Jewellery Council, which uses independent auditors to assure its members uphold the highest professional practices. The Responsible Jewellery Council adds assurance to both the diamond and gold jewelry supply chain increasing number of industry companies throughout our supply chain, who believe that by working together, our industry can effect real change. Jewelers of America's Code of Professional Practices aligns with the ethical standards required of the Responsible Jewellery Council's membership.