Would you buy something if you knew that another person had been exploited in the making of that product?
Unfortunately, human exploitation in supply chains is all too common. Just recently, it's come to light forced uighur labour is used to create a staggering number of consumable in our lives. So, it's extremely important that we know where our pieces are coming from and that we champion brands that are doing the right thing.
The latest designer to impress is Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co has always been transparent with its sourcing and now this brand has cemented its place as the leader in diamond traceability.
An industry first, Tiffany & Co is sharing the full craftsmanship journey of its individually registered diamonds. From October, Tiffany & Co. will disclose the country where each stone is planned and prepared, cut and polished, and set in jewellery. It allows us to see that our diamonds are ethical and conflict-free. It marks an industry first.
This huge step towards more transparency in fashion follows the 2019 announcement that Tiffany would become the first global luxury jeweller to provide the provenance (region or countries of origin) of its diamonds.
Its a move that highlights the brand’s commitment to the well-being of people and our planet. And it's not the first initiative Tiffany & Co. has impressed us with this year. A few months ago, the brand shared news of its part in developing an amazingly cool system that could save our coral reefs from bleaching.
Of the new diamond transparency measures, Anisa Kamadoli Costa, chief sustainability officer, Tiffany & Co said: “Today we advance our commitment to diamond traceability one step further.
“Our customers deserve to know that a Tiffany diamond was sourced with the highest standards, not only in quality but also in social and environmental responsibility. We believe that diamond traceability is the best means to ensure both.”
We agree in entirety.
Tiffany customers will get a diamond’s region or countries of origin, along with where it was planned and prepared, cut and polished, graded and quality assured, as well as set in jewelry. This information is available from any sales staff and will be printed on the Tiffany Diamond Certificate.
Tiffany & Co. actually owns and operates five of its own diamond polishing workshops around the world - Belgium, Mauritius, Botswana, Vietnam and Cambodia- where 1,500+ Tiffany artisans cut, polish and obsessively maximise the brilliance of the diamonds it uses. All this is made possible by the brand's 20+ year investment in vertical integration.
Hopefully this move spurs more of the fashion industry to follow the example.
