Business & Human Rights : Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices

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Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices website: www.responsiblejewellery.com

Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices "has developed a draft Statement of Principles ("Principles") which set out the fundamental ethical, social and environmental standards" for the gold & diamond industry, and seeks "to engage the industry, promote the benefits membership of the Council and develop an implementation process for applying the Principles within the industry through a coordinated programme of monitoring...[and] to explore ways in which it can support the industry in raising standards of business responsibility through education and partnership initiatives that will help companies develop the capability to meet higher standards."

According to the Council's website, its members, as of September 2005, are: ABN AMRO, BHP Billiton, Cartier, Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers), Diarough, Jewelers of America, Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Rosy Blue, Signet Group, National Association of Goldsmiths (UK), Tiffany, Zale.

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Title: CRJP Asks WWF-UK to Withdraw 'Deeper Luxury' Report

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Visit: CRJP Asks WWF-UK to Withdraw 'Deeper Luxury' Report

Author: Jeff Miller, Rapaport News
Dated: 07 Dec 2007

The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP) took issue with a recent report published by WWF-UK titled 'Deeper Luxury'. CRJP's CEO Michael Rae distributed a letter to the group and other NGOs, CRJP members, and the media stating the WWF-UK and its publisher "deserve the strongest condemnation for the completely undeserved and unwarranted criticism" regarding several CRJP members... Deeper Luxury made no mention of proactive practices taken by (in particular) Bulgari, Cartier [part of Richemont], LVMH, and Tiffany, together with WWF through the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, Madison Dialogue, and the Diamond Development Initiative. [also refers to PPR]

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Visit: Luxury firms slammed for lacklustre moves to save planet

Author: AFP
Dated: 15 Dec 2007

Title: Stemming the blood behind the diamonds

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Author: Maria Doulton, Financial Times
Dated: 10 Nov 2007

With a US embargo on Burmese diamonds…shopping for a trinket this Christmas could be tricky for the well-intentioned. Unlike chocolates or coffee, there is to date no "fair trade" certified jewellery. But the good news is that the industry has been working hard to improve its social, ethical and environmental impact…Fair Trade announced this summer that TransFair USA…is undertaking a feasibility study for Fair Trade certifying jewellery and working on a pilot scheme for gold. The single most important step is the Kimberley Process…that certifies that batches of diamonds are conflict-free…Several small operations at grass roots level are providing "green" though not yet Fair Trade certified gold and coloured gemstones. [refers to Tiffany]

Title: Madison Dialogue Summit Addresses Ethical Jewelry and Small-Scale MiningIssues

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Author: Madison Dialogue
Dated: November 2007

The Madison Dialogue Ethical Jewelry Summit, held Oct. 25-26 at the World Bank, convened to discuss ethical jewelry and small-scale mining issues, with representatives from artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM) and their communities around the world...The attendees crafted a declaration, which [includes]: The development of principles, standards and a third-party assurance system for jewelry products that may be labeled as “ethical” or “fair trade.” [Attending the summit were Target Resources, Nature’s Geometry, Columbia Gem House, Urth Solution, Leber Jeweler, CRED Jewellery, Fifi Bijoux, De Beers]

Title: [PDF] Statement of policy regarding gemstones mined in Burma (Myanmar)

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Visit: [PDF] Statement of policy regarding gemstones mined in Burma (Myanmar)

Author: Cartier
Dated: 05 Oct 2007

Given the current crisis, and in accordance with our commitment to continuous improvement, Cartier has stopped buying gemstones which may have been mined in Burma (wherever those stones have been cut and exported from) until further notice...Cartier will be conducting random gemological analyses on gemstone shipments in order to evaluate the credibility of suppliers’ claims as to the origin of the stones provided.

Title: JA speaks out on responsible mining [USA]

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Visit: JA speaks out on responsible mining [USA]

Author: National Jeweler
Dated: 10 Jan 2007

In response to the recent public controversy concerning the proposed Pebble Mine project in Alaska's Bristol Bay Watershed, Jewelers of America (JA) announced on Jan. 5 that it is working, along with jewelry retailers, mining companies and non-governmental organizations, on standards for the responsible sourcing of minerals. JA is creating such standards through the "Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)", a multi-sector effort launched in June 2006 to establish a system to independently verify compliance with environmental, human rights and social standards for mining operations.

Title: [PDF] Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices Releases Final Code

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Author: Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices
Dated: 21 Sep 2006

The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP), which promotes responsible ethical, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain from mine to retail, released its finalised Code of Practices [today]... The 16-page Code of Practices articulates the ethical, social and environmental practices that the Council will expect of its members once its Responsible Practices Framework is fully operational in early 2008... As of 31 August 2006, the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices has welcomed 15 new members,... [which] are: Aurafin LLC; Boucheron [part of Gucci]; Brown Goldsmiths...; Bulgari S.p.A; Cendres et Metaux SA [CM Group]; Colormasters Gem Corp.; Cunningham Fine Jewelry Inc.; DN Gems Corp. [part of D. Navinchandra]; Goodmans Jewelers Inc.; Helzberg Diamonds [part of Berkshire Hathaway]; Lazare Kaplan...; Leber Jeweler Inc.; Lux Bond & Green; Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America Inc.; Reis-Nichols Inc.

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Visit: [PDF] Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices: Code of Practices

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Title: Socially responsible gold mining urged

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Author: James Langman, Washington Times
Dated: 15 Aug 2006

...Earthworks and Oxfam America...have organized letter-writing protests and a media campaign asking jewelers not to buy gold from mines that harm the environment and nearby communities. Eight leading jewelers, including Zales, Cartier [part of Richemont], Helzberg [part of Berkshire Hathaway] and Tiffany & Co...have done just that. The response is putting significant pressure on the gold mining industry to reform amid worries about the threat of long-term environmental damage to water, land and livelihoods... To resolve growing concern about how gold is produced, Jewelers of America and other jewelry and mining groups announced in May 2005 the creation of a Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices... International Council on Mining and Metals...Secretary-General Paul Mitchell [said]..."Governments need to regulate more, and companies have to be more cautious in where they put their money...But to say that the industry is universally disruptive is just not true." [also refers to Barrick Gold, Newmont]

Title: [PDF] Africa’s conflict diamonds: Fair trade stones on the horizon? A new leader in the fight against conflict diamonds has some big plans

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Visit: [PDF] Africa’s conflict diamonds: Fair trade stones on the horizon? A new leader in the fight against conflict diamonds has some big plans

Author: Zara Maung, Ethical Corporation
Dated: 21 Jun 2006

The Kimberley Process requires diamonds to be traceable back to their place of origin...NGO reports, including an independent commissioned review published in April 2006, have criticized the lack of third party monitoring and transparency of the process. Now Michael Rae, the new CEO of the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP), setup in 2005, intends to change things. Members include mining giant DeBeers, traders Rosy Blue NV and retailers Tiffany & Co...In terms of the Kimberley Process now, he says: “Independent third party monitors will be employed to ensure our members are applying the process.”...Global Witness’s Harrison Mitchell suggests that one step further should be made, with “fair trade” diamonds being established for artisan diggers.

Title: Ethical diamonds: Transparency is the goal

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Author: Lucy Reiter, Financial Times
Dated: 08 Jun 2006

The Kimberley Process, an international scheme launched in 2003, has gone some way to addressing the issues [of conflict diamonds] by certifying conflict-free diamonds. However, Tom Fyans, economic relations manager at Amnesty International UK, explains that while the Kimberley Process has had a positive effect, it needs bolstering. "The system is only as strong as its weakest link and there are areas allowing conflict diamonds to enter the chain," he says... Regulating the broader picture will be the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP)...its 33 members include Cartier [part of Richemont], Tiffany and Signet Group. Chief executive Michael L Rae explains that once its practices are in place by early 2008...its third-party monitoring will...ensure adherence to rules on...practices such as child labour, working hours and environmental issues. However, the CRJP is not without its critics. Greg Valerio, owner of jewellery retailer Cred, explains: "The CRJP will be good for the big players, but it will do very little for the small scale miners – particularly in Africa...[T]he likelihood of a consumer buying a diamond that is fuelling civil war is almost negligible. However, the chances that social and environmental exploitation are involved is quite high."... Rio Tinto Diamonds last week launched its Select Diamantaire Mark...[which] confirms that the diamond has been mined from one of its three mines where there are regulated health, safety, environmental and social standards.

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Visit: More Rhetoric than Action: When will the diamond industry get serious about stopping conflict diamonds?

Author: Global Witness
Dated: 06 Jun 2006

Title: Council for Responsible Jewelry Extends Deadline

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Author: Jeanette Goldman, Rapaport News
Dated: 14 Nov 2005

The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP) extended its deadline five months for stakeholders to direct the association's mission statement... CRJP said that it is particularly keen on hearing from diamond cutters and polishers, diamond and gold jewelry manufacturers and traders... CRJP also took the opportunity to welcome new members: The American Gem Society, Bonas & Co. Ltd., LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Piaget [part of Richemont], Placer Dome Mining, Suashish Diamonds Ltd., and Van Cleef & Arpels [part of Richemont]. Recently the World Jewellery Federation (CIBJO,) said it was considering rejoining CRJP and that negotiations are ongoing.

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Title: CRJP Asks WWF-UK to Withdraw 'Deeper Luxury' Report

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Title: Stemming the blood behind the diamonds

Title: Madison Dialogue Summit Addresses Ethical Jewelry and Small-Scale MiningIssues

Title: [PDF] Statement of policy regarding gemstones mined in Burma (Myanmar)

Title: JA speaks out on responsible mining [USA]

Title: [PDF] Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices Releases Final Code

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Title: Socially responsible gold mining urged

Title: [PDF] Africa’s conflict diamonds: Fair trade stones on the horizon? A new leader in the fight against conflict diamonds has some big plans

Title: Ethical diamonds: Transparency is the goal

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Title: Council for Responsible Jewelry Extends Deadline

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Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices

Page Content Navigation

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Main Content: Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices

Search Summary

Link Explanation

Link Results

Title: CRJP Asks WWF-UK to Withdraw 'Deeper Luxury' Report

List item: 1

Title: Stemming the blood behind the diamonds

Title: Madison Dialogue Summit Addresses Ethical Jewelry and Small-Scale MiningIssues

Title: [PDF] Statement of policy regarding gemstones mined in Burma (Myanmar)

Title: JA speaks out on responsible mining [USA]

Title: [PDF] Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices Releases Final Code

List item: 1

Title: Socially responsible gold mining urged

Title: [PDF] Africa’s conflict diamonds: Fair trade stones on the horizon? A new leader in the fight against conflict diamonds has some big plans

Title: Ethical diamonds: Transparency is the goal

List item: 1

Title: Council for Responsible Jewelry Extends Deadline

See also: Categories

Individual companies

Send us comments & suggested additions

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Weekly Updates (Free)

Page Extras and footer content

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