RJC Warns Members not to Trade in Marange Diamonds

A watchdog organization for the sustainable and conflict-free sourcing and sales of gemstones, precious metals and jewelry has told its members not to trade in diamonds from the Marange mine in Zimbabwe until it receives Kimberley Process approval.

“No trade of Marange diamonds can currently take place under the Joint Work Plan until an agreement can be found. Participants are therefore reminded of the need for vigilance and ask Participant to notify the WGM chair in the event of receipt of an irregular shipment of Marange diamonds, until new arrangements are agreed that will allow continued implementation of the Joint Work Plan, including the supervised export mechanism,” The Responsible Jewellery Council said in a statement to its members.

The RJC is a non-profit organization promotes responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mine to retail. Zimbabwe wants to export diamonds from its controversial Marange field, where human rights groups allege it is the scene of forced labor, torture, beatings and harassment by government troops. The southern African country denies all allegations.

The Kimberley Process is charged with preventing trade in “blood” or “conflict” diamonds, the term used for diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity. It operates a certification scheme designed to eliminate these issues in the trade of diamonds by identifying the source of a diamond’s origin. After four days of closed-meetings I early November, the KP was unable to reach a decision on the trade of these diamonds.

The KP suspended diamond trading from the Marange mine, then instituted a Joint Work Plan where diamonds could be sold under KP supervision. Two diamond sales were held in August and September. But NGOs and some diamond traders are not convinced that the alleged human rights abuses have been eliminated.

The RJC statement reads as follows:

As is known to all Kimberley Process (KP) Participants, and as is stated in the Draft Communiqué, circulated to all participants on November 12th, 2010, the Plenary did not come to an agreement regarding KPCS arrangement for diamonds from the Marange area (Zimbabwe). Consultations are ongoing and I am confident that we will find a consensual way forward which recognises the progress made by Zimbabwe in terms of compliance with KP requirements, whilst offering sufficient reassurance that there would continue to be progress in all areas under the Joint Work Plan, so that we can eventually bring the whole of Marange – and indeed Zimbabwe as a Participant - into full KP compliance. Meanwhile, it is of utmost importance that all Participants remain vigilant and ensure that the terms of the Joint Work Plan and Saint Petersburg agreement are respected these consultations are ongoing. As a consequence, no trade of Marange diamonds can currently take place under the Joint Work Plan until an agreement can be found. Participants are therefore reminded of the need for vigilance and ask Participant to notify the WGM chair in the event of receipt of an irregular shipment of Marange diamonds, until new arrangements are agreed that will allow continued implementation of the Joint Work Plan, including the supervised export mechanism. I very much count on your support and will keep you informed of developments.

Pandora Joins Responsible Jewellery Council

Pandora, the Danish jewelry designer and manufacturer that recently executed a $2 billion initial public offering, is now attempting to make its mark as an ethical, humane and environmentally sensitive company by joining the Responsible Jewellery Council.

“Pandora is committed to promoting responsible practices—from the sourcing of precious metals and gemstones to the crafting and marketing of our jewelry,” said Mikkel Vendelin Olesen, CEO of what is now the world’s third largest jewelry brand. “We strongly believe in setting high common quality standards for the industry, and we look forward to actively working together with the Responsible Jewellery Council and its member organizations in order to encourage responsible practices throughout the jewelry industry.”

Added, Michael Rae, RJC’s CEO. “Pandora’s membership will strengthen RJC’s mission of responsible business practices amongst large and small industry players and will reach the youngest generations through their innovative approach.”

The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit organization with more than 250 member companies that promotes responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry from mine to retail. Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewelry products.

Responsible Jewellery Council Reaches Membership Milestone

The Responsible Jewellery Council said that its membership has exceeded 250 companies and trade associations throughout the diamond, gold and platinum metals jewelry supply chain from around the world.

RJC, based in London, is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mine to retail. Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in jewelry products.

Among the newest RJC members are Bottega Veneta, Christian Dior Couture, Gemological Science International, Girard-Perregaux, GCAL: Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, Inc, H.K. Designs (India) and Vacheron Constantin.

“RJC’s healthy membership reflects the growing awareness of the importance of ethical, human rights, social and environmental performance in the jewelry industry. RJC’s members are vital to cultivate future business ethical generations,” said Michael Rae, CEO of RJC.

Under the RJC system, all commercial members of the RJC have committed to be audited by accredited, third party auditors to verify their conformance with the RJC’s Code of Practices and become certified.

A full list of RJC Members can be found here.

Gay Frères Receives RJC Certification

French jewelry manufacturer, Gay Frères, is the first member of the Responsible Jewellery Council to be certified against the ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards as established by the organization’s Member Certification System.

RJC is an international not‐for‐profit organization of more than 240 companies committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry from mine to retail.

Gay Frères’ RJC Member Certification results from a successful verification assessment conducted by Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (STR), an international audit firm based in Enfield, Conn.

“This important milestone builds on five years of sustained effort by the RJC’s members to create the independent third party RJC Member Certification System applicable from mine to retail,” said Matt Runci, RJC’s chairman. “RJC Certified members have the benefit of recognition against an international certification system, supporting their own reputations and enhancing consumer confidence in the jewelry supply chain.”

Founded in 1835, Gay Frères is a manufacturer and supplier of European jewelry brands, employing 300 people and producing 1,000 jewelry pieces on a daily basis.

“We are most proud to be the first RJC Member to achieve this important certification and we encourage others within the industry to follow suit so that they too can evidence responsible business practices,” said Claude Schlappi, Gay Frères’s director.