Responsible diamonds is a phrase that gets used loosely, and a Canadian retailer standing in front of a customer needs it to mean something specific. Here is what it means when a supplier can actually back it up.
A Vancouver diamond house, supplying since 1978
Regal Imports Ltd has supplied loose diamonds to the Canadian trade from Vancouver since 1978. The company works in the D to H colour range and concentrates on top make goods, GIA graded excellent for cut, polish and symmetry, selecting stones individually rather than buying in parcel. That is a narrower proposition than most wholesalers offer, and it suits a retailer selling on quality rather than on price per carat.
What certification adds to a claim
Regal Imports became a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council in 2011. Certification is not a logo exercise. It requires an audit by an accredited third party against a published standard covering business ethics, human rights, labour conditions, health and safety and environmental performance, and it has to be renewed rather than earned once. For a retailer the practical value is simple: somebody independent has examined the supply chain and put their name to the finding.
Why a Canadian retailer should care where a stone came from
The customer asking about origin is no longer unusual, and the question sharpened once sanctions on Russian origin goods changed what buyers expect to be told at the counter. A jeweller who can name the supplier, say what standard that supplier is audited against and put the grading report on the table is in a far stronger position than one who can only say the stone is certified, which tells the customer nothing about anything except the grading.
What to ask any diamond supplier
Ask which laboratory graded the stone, and insist on consistency rather than taking whichever report is cheapest. Ask what the supplier position is on country of origin and what documentation travels with the goods. Ask about memo terms, because a supplier willing to put stones on memo is sharing inventory risk with you. And ask what happens on a return, because that answer tells you how the relationship will behave on the day something goes wrong.
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Author: Canadian Jeweller Magazine Staff
Canadian Jeweller Magazine Staff is the shared byline for reporting filed by the magazine's editorial desk. Founded in 1879, Canadian Jeweller is the longest running jewellery business publication in Canada, covering market reporting, retail strategy, watches, diamonds, coloured gemstones and the commerce of the Canadian jewellery trade. Work published under this byline is edited and verified by the Canadian Jeweller editorial team in Toronto.
