The Good Shopping Guide awarded Ethica Diamonds a perfect score in the best ethical jewellery ratings table. The table ranks jewellery companies from across the globe on factors like their procurement of Fair Trade gold and ethically sourced, conflict-free diamonds.
“Consumers should be aware of ethical practices right across a company’s value chain – especially if it is incorporating high-value commodities or conflict minerals into its products, as seen in the Jewellery sector. The UK ethical market is now worth over £120bn, so it’s important that our rankings cut through the greenwashing.”
-Jacob Chase, Ethical Accreditation Leader at The Good Shopping Guide (press release)
What is ethical jewellery?
The Good Shopping Guide reports that the jewellery industry is rife with problems. These include human rights violations, miners working under terrible conditions and mining in areas of conflict. Conflict diamonds, also known as ‘blood diamonds’ are defined by the UN as “rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments” (Europa). The Kimberley Process, launched in 2003, is a campaign to eliminate the trade of these rough diamonds. But it does not police working conditions for miners.
Ethica Diamonds’ mission is to provide earth-friendly diamonds and gemstones that are not mined and are lab grown. By doing this, they are able to control every aspect of the business; from choosing suppliers who use renewable energy to reusing and recycling precious metals to reduce consumption.
The Ethica Diamond is a diamond-infused patented moissanite. It is produced with negligible greenhouse gas emissions, water or air pollution. They are certified by either the IGI or GIA. The benefits are that cheaper, larger diamonds can be made with less environmental impact. Ethica Diamonds also have ideal-excellent colour and clarity.
The company also sells lab grown diamonds that are pure carbon and classed as pure diamonds. They look identical to mined diamonds. Ethica Diamonds source only the best lab grown diamonds – the top 1%-2% – and they are certified. Lab grown diamonds do not have the same impact on the environment as mining diamonds does. And Ethica Diamonds chooses to work with companies that are committed to using renewable energy.
Where possible Ethica Diamonds uses recycled metals. This reduces their carbon footprint. They want to eliminate using ‘dirty gold’ mined under bad working conditions and at a high cost to the environment. Also, they manufacture and hand-make their jewellery in the United Kingdom under fair employment practices. Then they package it in 100% recyclable natural materials. Even their website server uses renewable energy.
Elaine Reffell started the business over a decade ago, there were few alternatives of this kind on the market. Elaine says “We spent the first 5 years educating and teaching people that there is a kinder way of purchasing jewellery that is genuinely meaningful.”
The results of the ratings in The Good Shopping Guide could be surprising to you. There are big-name jewellery brands at the bottom of the table and at the top. The guide hopes to influence the consumer into buying ‘beautiful, ethical jewellery at an affordable price’. This will increase demand for responsibly sourced diamonds.
You can purchase Ethica Diamonds on their website and by appointment in their showroom or online.
We are pleased to welcome Ethica Diamonds into our membership! For more information about how to join our sustainability community, visit our membership pages.
