How Jewelers are Promoting Responsible and Sustainable Mining

Many industries strive to make their businesses more sustainable and ethical; the jewelry industry is no exception. You may have heard the terms "ethical sourcing" and "responsible mining" in reference to diamonds or other gems. These things mean that a company gets its stones in ways that are not harmful to humans or planet Earth. With Clarity is devoted to both of these practices.

We source our gems from mines that don't infringe on or hurt people in any way or ask them to work in unsafe or unfair conditions. Additionally, we partner with diamond mines that are highly conscious of the environment and do their best to impact the earth as little as possible. With Clarity also offers the ultimate in ethical and environmentally conscious diamonds - stunning lab grown diamonds. Let's take a closer look at our commitment to sustainable diamonds.

The Diamond Industry's Past

Traditional practices for sourcing and mining gemstones and precious metals were not conscientious of the earth or those working in the mines. The conditions were often deplorable, and workers were asked to work long hours in dangerous environments. Child labor and the sourcing of conflict diamonds, in which gems were mined in an area of unrest and traded illegally to fund the fighting, were also issues. The earth was suffering, too, due to environmental degradation and little regard for the mine's impact on the native animals and plants.

Current Challenges in the Industry

As the world became more aware of the negative impact gem mining could have on the local population and environment, they began to demand changes from the industry. Nevertheless, some challenges remain.

Land often has to be cleared to access the stones deep within the earth, contributing to deforestation. Large amounts of dirt must also be moved. Soil deposition can lead to water pollution from heavy minerals, while the machinery needed to move the soil can contribute to air pollution. Some of these things are relatively unavoidable, but there are ways to decrease their impact.

Similarly, some mine locations still have forced labor in unsafe working conditions. Exploitation in some mining regions has also continued, promising support and basic necessities to laborers to lure them into unsafe conditions and then not deliver and trap them in debt.

Clarity makes every effort to attain ethically sourced diamonds and mined responsibly, which is a challenging feat. Traceability and transparency are two other current challenges. It isn't easy to ensure the entire supply chain is transparent with its practices to ensure the diamonds are sourced safely and in an eco-friendly manner. Nevertheless, at With Clarity, you will only find ethically sourced diamonds.

Innovations in Ethical Sourcing

Fortunately, innovations in ethical sourcing have made it easier for mining companies to attain diamonds responsibly and for jewelers to confidently choose suppliers. Renewable energy and waste reduction techniques help make as little impact as possible before, during, and after mining. Eco-friendly mines take steps to lower their carbon footprint and adverse effects on the earth.

Additionally, blockchain technology ensures transparency and traceability in the supply chain. In short, every diamond is assigned a unique Global Diamond ID that tracks every step from mine to market. Because each gem is documented and verified, jewelers can make better decisions about who to source their materials from. This documentation goes hand in hand with certification programs and ensures ethical sourcing standards are met.

Initiatives by Jewelers like With Clarity

With Clarity is devoted to partnering with certified ethical mines to create sustainable diamond engagement rings. Only ethical diamonds are used; these stones come from ethical mines that value the local environment and community where mining occurs.

Our strict internal policies, which align with the Kimberley Process and United Nations Resolutions, help ensure these practices are upheld. Auditing and supply chain management can help jewelers who offer ethical diamond engagement rings ensure their gems are only obtained in the most human-rights-conscious and sustainability-conscious ways. With Clarity ensures that every diamond we offer is not tarnished by conflict or human rights abuses.

You can shop With Clarity diamonds with the confidence that each gem was obtained via responsible practices that consider human rights, environmental impact, and social welfare. We're happy to explain our sourcing methods as we believe consumer education and advocacy are important, too. Educating our customers on the importance of ethical sourcing so that we can encourage responsible consumer behavior, whether you're shopping our ethically sourced diamonds or elsewhere, is one of the best ways to ensure the future health and happiness of the planet and its people.

The Future of Ethical Sourcing

It's safe to say that ethical and sustainable practices will only increase in popularity. Emerging technologies and innovations will continue to make mining more responsible and less destructive. Industry-wide collaborations and coalitions are forming to address these changes collectively, helping to ensure that every step in the process is upheld to the strictest standards. With Clarity will continue to be at the forefront of these changes to ensure that our engagement rings with conflict-free diamonds are the most environmentally friendly and ethically sound.

With Clarity Goes the Extra Mile

We are committed to practices that go above and beyond, such as exclusively using fair trade suppliers and ensuring our diamonds are cruelty-free, causing no harm to animals or the environment during the entire mining process. In addition to our conscientiously sourced natural diamonds, our selection of lab grown diamonds is a shining example of our commitment to sustainability, giving customers as many options as possible when finding their perfect symbol of love and commitment.