The jewelry industry is moving forward to the transparency, sustainability, and responsible design as consumers are now more concerned about social and environmental issues. For 21st generation consumers, beauty is simply not everything; they want to know the process behind each piece, from where the materials were sourced and if clean and ethical practices were used in bringing the product to life. This growing demand or we can say consumer concern has encouraged many brands to issue strong statements about sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Governments around the globe are taking note of these fears and beginning to introduce legislation to guarantee that the jewelry industry adheres to ethical practices in its line of production. The U.S., for instance, has the Clean Diamond Trade Act in place which endorses the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) globally to protect the market from blood diamonds. Similarly, the European Union has policies that demand corporate due diligence on human rights and environmental impacts across global supply chains, including jewelry.

Craftsmanship and Transparency in Production

Ethical guidelines frequently start with the practice of jewelry making. Brands are turning more to artisanal processes, along with small batch production, as a way to ensure quality and to limit an environmental footprint. By supporting craftsmanship the old-fashioned way, we’re lifting a stream of industry out of underpaid, unfair and unsafe labor.

And that’s where pieces such as Handcrafted Three-stone Settings come in. These settings are typically crafted by experienced jewelers using old world techniques for a custom fit for your stone, making each one-of-a-kind and because they are wonderful! Businesses that tout their dedication to handcrafted artisanship support that belief with policies that protect fair wages and workplace safety for those artisans.

Some national governments also have certifications or tax breaks for businesses who support local artisans and processes. These programs contribute to the legitimization and sustainability of ethical handmade production.

The Importance of Ethical Sourcing in Jewelry

The sector of traditional jewelry has faced moral challenges around conflict diamonds, environmentally destructive open-pit mines, and unethical labor practices for a while. Fair sourcing policies are looking to take forward these issues, helping to ensure that goods are sourced ethically and that everyone working in the ecosystem is treated well.

To mitigate these problems, they have launched programs including the following:

• The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), accepted by 80+ countries.
• The European Union’s Conflict Minerals Regulation, which mandates clarity sourcing.
• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
• Consumers shopping for jewelry must definitely review the statements a brand makes about fair sourcing.
• Transparent information on origins and sourcing of materials.
• Disclosure about labor practices.
• Pledges to only utilize recycled or laboratory-created stones.
• Accreditations from bodies such as the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).

Embracing Innovation Through Artificial Alternatives

One sign of progress in ethical sourcing is the rise of Artificial Diamond Rings. These lab-created versions of earth-mined diamonds provide a more environmentally friendly diamond alternative that also shows a brighter sparkle while being as durable. Man-made diamonds lessen the environmental damage caused by mining — and prevent the human rights issues commonly associated with traditional diamond mining.

A few countries are using research grants and green innovation incentives to incentivize lab-grown diamond development, recognizing the way they can help support a sustainable luxury market.

Conclusion

With a tendency to look-at-me-pretty over the story of the piece, the fashion industry is set to redefine notions of the beautiful as forward thinking brands prove aesthetics can travel down the path of ethics. By backing businesses that make sustainability and transparency a priority, customers can wear their principles on their sleeve, or in this case on their jewelry.

Complying with a brand's policy is only one aspect of understanding it; another is making sure your choices reflect your values. Furthermore, ethical jewellery practices are evolving from a fad to a new norm as a result of increased consumer awareness and government legislation.