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Written by Chelsea Ellsworth
With people becoming more and more aware of society’s ethical issues, focus has turned to the diamond industry. This is hardly surprising given how much more determined people are to live fair and sustainable lives, but will this have an effect on proposals? Will you still be able to get the engagement ring of your dreams?
Don’t worry, you can absolutely get the perfect piece of diamond jewellery without going against your morals. Here are some of the questions you should ask to successfully shop for ethical diamond jewellery.
What is ethical jewellery?
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When looking for ethical jewellery, it’s important to understand what the term actually means. Basically, it means that the diamonds and materials used to create the pieces do no harm to those who source, produce and manufacture it. Certain companies use child labour, pay unfair wadges or source their diamonds from war zones, which is then used to fund a warlord. You may be happy with the look and price of a diamond, but this can come at a significant cost to those responsible for getting it to you. It doesn’t have to be that way; you can easily find beautiful and affordable jewellery that is ethically made from start to finish when you know what to look out for.
Where are the diamonds sourced?
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Most jewellers that use ethical diamonds are determined to get the message out there and be as clear as possible. No mention of ethics or sustainability on a brand’s website is a bad sign, especially if they don’t make it clear where their stones are sourced. London-based manufacturer Diamonds Factory details how and where it has sourced all of its stones, offering a good example of how it should be done. If the jeweler doesn’t make it clear if they ethically source their diamonds or where they are from, it’s well worth asking.
Is it certified?
Introduced in 2002, the Kimberley Process Certification scheme was created to make it clear if a jeweller sources their stones ethically. It’s aim is to remove conflict diamonds from the supply chain and make it clear to buyers if they are truly purchasing ethical jewellery. There are a multitude of requirements in order to get the certification, including committing to transparent practices. Check the jeweler’s website for information regarding if they are certified as this should be made clear.
Who has manufactured the diamond?
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Once the stone itself has been sourced, it must then be cut and polished. Going to a company that does this all in-house is a great option so you can discuss the entire process with them. Avoid anywhere that cannot, or simply will not, say where they are cut and polished, as this may signal that they are done in sweatshop conditions for an extremely low wage. This is far from ethical, with underage children and poverty-stricken adults often being taken advantage of as they work long hours in squalid conditions for very little pay.
By making a few checks before you purchase a piece of jewellery, you’ll be able to have a clean conscience when wearing it. Ethical diamonds are the way to go, as they look just as beautiful without any of the moral dilemmas that come with blood diamonds or unsustainable pieces.
