The SCS-007 Jewelry Sustainability Standard – Sustainability Rated Diamonds was developed under an international, multi-stakeholder consensus process, overseen by SCS Standards. This process included diamond producers and industry representatives, retailers, civil society representatives with environmental and social expertise, academics, and grading and testing technology experts, as well as public comment. The Standard offers the first unified framework for assessing and certifying mined and laboratory-grown diamonds, and establishes a new benchmark of sustainability performance for gemstone-quality diamonds.
About
SCS-007
SUSTAINABILITY RATING SCALE
Sustainability isn’t black or white. The Sustainability Rating provides the level of transparency you need to understand exactly how well your diamond performed. This rating is based on the combined average of the specific scores achieved under each of the following pillars – origin traceability, ethical stewardship, climate neutrality, and sustainable production practices – reflecting conformance to the relevant criteria.
| Sustainability Rating | Required Score Range | Levels of Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 95-100 | An “A+ Rated” diamond must score 100 out of 100 for verified origin traceability and ethical stewardship. In addition, an “A+ rated” diamond must be completely climate neutral, and offset or mitigate at least 80% environmental and human health impacts associated with diamond production. |
| A | 90-94 | An “A Rated” diamond must score 100 out of 100 for verified origin traceability and ethical stewardship. In addition, an “A rated” diamond must be completely climate neutral, and offset or mitigate at least 70% environmental and human health impacts associated with diamond production. |
| B | 80-89 | A “B Rated” diamond must score 100 out of 100 for verified origin traceability and ethical stewardship. In addition, a “B rated” diamond must offset its annual climate footprint and up to 50% of its legacy climate footprint, and offset or mitigate at least 60% environmental and human health impacts associated with diamond production. Alternatively, if the legacy climate impact offset of 50% cannot be reached, then at least 80% of environmental and human health impacts associated with diamond production must be offset or mitigated. |
| C (B2B claims only) | 60-79 | A “C Rated” diamond must score at least 80 out of 100 for verified origin traceability and must meet the mandatory RJC Code of Practice social requirements. In addition, a “C rated” diamond must offset its annual climate footprint, and the producer must establish a plan to mitigate at least 30% if its environmental and human health impacts associated with diamond production within 18 months. |
| D (B2B claims only) | 50-59 | A “D rated” diamond must score 100 out of 100 for ethical stewardship, and at least 80 out of 100 for verified origin traceability. A “D rated” diamond producer must be committed to being climate neutral for annual emissions within 24 months of initial certification. |
| Not rated | 0-49 | Such diamonds do not qualify for ratings. |
SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION
Sustainability Rated Diamonds guard against greenwashing. Savvy consumers have learned that claims of social and environmental responsibility can often sound good, but fall short.The SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds Standard was developed to enable you to separate fact from fiction.
PROTECTING DIAMOND WORKERS
Unprecedented testing accuracy, combined with checks and balances across the entire chain of custody, make it possible to shut the door on blood diamonds, slave labor, child labor and other abuses once and for all.
QUANTITATIVE MEASURES OF SUCCESS
The Standard provides much more than a checklist of “do’s” and “don’ts”. It also requires action toward zeroing out impacts across the board, starting with climate impacts.
THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION
The Sustainability Rating is determined through an internationally recognized independent certification process, involving on-site audits, data and documentation review, interviews, physical examination of diamonds, and more. Diamond grading is just one part of this much larger auditing framework. Having a neutral third-party oversee this entire process is crucial.
SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance sustainable development goals and practices. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach. LEARN MORE.