Tiffany & Co. has a reputation for being the best of the best, and their diamonds are no different. As one of the top leaders in sustainable jewelry, they provide an abundance of information on where their diamonds come from.
Tiffany & Co. is known for many things including the use of silver, the production of heart charms, engagement rings, but their diamonds might be the most well known. Tiffany’s magnificent diamonds stand the test of time. But where do these stones come from? Tiffany is very open on their diamond sourcing, considering that their main goals is to be as sustainable as possible.
As a leader in the jewelry industry, Tiffany started heavily focusing on their supply chain and sourcing. This can be a very complex and complicated process to keep track of. Starting with the rough diamond, to cutting, polishing, grading and setting, there are many moving parts. Tiffany abides by the Kimberley Process and goes above it, as well. The Kimberley Process was created in order to guarantee conflict-free diamonds. Tiffany is trying to set the example and standard in the industry and in 2015 they appointed their first chief sustainability officer.
Where do Tiffany diamonds come from ?
Due to this high standard of ethics, Tiffany purchases rough diamonds from known mines in Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia, Sierra Leone and South Africa (as reported in their 2016 Sustainability Report). When choosing their mines, they are not only looking at environmental impacts, but social and political as well. They collaborate with other like-minded companies such as Earthworks and Human Rights Watch.
What makes Tiffany diamonds expensive ?
This process is part of why Tiffany diamonds are more expensive than other jewelers. It certainly costs more to purchase diamonds ethically, but it doesn’t stop there. Tiffany uses its own cutting studios and polishing workshops. They aim to train and hire those from local mining communities. Tiffany’s website states that 94% of the polishers employed in their Botswana studios are hired from the local community. They are working towards creating a safe and profitable environment for the locals, whereas before, they were stripped of not only their diamonds but jobs.
The next step is grading their diamonds. Tiffany has their own laboratory, the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory, in New York City. They grade similarly to other labs with the 4Cs., in terms of giving a Carat Weight, Color, Clarity and Cut. The most important, for Tiffany, is the Cut. They only sell diamonds with Excellent Cut Grade. This alone is part of the reason their diamonds are more expensive. They don’t have other cut grades for you to choose from. They take pride in their diamonds and want only the most luxurious. It is said that their diamonds, from the rough stone to the finished ring, are inspected an estimated 1,300 times!
All of these factors, the location of the mine to their intense selection process, allow Tiffany & Co. to claim to be the best. Striving for excellence, Tiffany is a great choice.
