SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds Standard brings consumer priorities to the forefront as the first in a series of standards aimed at transforming the luxury jewelry market.
(PRESS RELEASE) EMERYVILLE, CA — SCS Global Services (SCS), a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards, will officially announce its certification program for the newly released SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds Standard for Trial Use at JCK Las Vegas, the jewelry industry’s premier annual trade event. SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds is the first of four standards – the SCS-007 Jewelry Sustainability Standards series — planned for launch in the jewelry sector, which will also cover colored gemstones, precious metals, and more.
SCS has been providing certification services to the jewelry sector for over a decade, working with more than one hundred well-known manufacturers, refiners, and retailers on other applicable certifications such as the Responsible Jewellery Council, SCS Recycled Content, SCS Responsible Source, and Fairmined Gold and Silver, among others.
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“We are excited to have the opportunity to educate the industry on this groundbreaking new standard, and the many ways it will highlight sustainability leadership in this sector,” shared Brandee Dallow, who recently joined SCS as the company’s Vice President of Sustainability for Luxury Goods. “From working with designers and manufacturers to certify their raw materials, to retailers in a competitive marketplace, there are countless ways in which SCS can assist the industry to reach the environmental and socially responsible benchmarks consumers are demanding.”
The SCS-007 Standard establishes a uniform basis for independently assessing and certifying the environmentally and socially responsible production and handling of all diamonds, whether mined or laboratory grown, and for making business and consumer-facing claims for such diamonds. Among its key features, the Standard spells out extensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements, confirms producer efforts to achieve climate neutrality as well as net zero life cycle impacts, and introduces a comprehensive set of checks and balances to accurately track certified diamonds through the entire chain of custody, providing an unprecedented level of origin assurance greater than 99%. Sustainability investments round out the requirements, benefitting artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) and other vulnerable communities.
In addition to diamond producers, accreditation under the Standard is available to chain-of-custody participants interested in marketing Certified Diamonds, including cutters, polishers, jewelry manufacturers, and recycled diamond handlers, as well as diamond retailers who sell Certified Diamonds to end consumers. Empirical testing and grading laboratories conducting diamond origin testing in accordance with the Standard’s origin traceability provisions are also eligible for accreditation.
The SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds was developed under a multi-stakeholder consensus process, headed up by SCS Global Services’ sister organization, SCS Standards Development, a non-profit committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach.
Several producers, including WD Lab Grown Diamonds, LUSIX, and Green Rocks Diamonds, participated as early adopters in the pilot program for this Standard, helping to advance the process through real world field testing to ensure the practicality of the Standard in application. All three companies have now been accredited, and their diamonds certified. In addition, so far, Source Certain International, a globally recognized expert in scientific provenance verification, and well-known diamond graders, GCAL and IGI, have been accredited.
“As consumers are increasingly looking for diamonds that meet the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility, protecting people and the planet, it makes the SCS-007 Standard even more timely and critical,” explained Stanley Mathuram, Executive Vice President of SCS Global. “Our SCS 007 certification program will assist the jewelry industry by providing the added layer of social and environmental assurance that consumers are looking for when purchasing a diamond. Our long-term goal is to meet the needs of both the jewelry community and the end consumer when it comes to sustainability certification of all diamonds, colored gemstones and precious metals.”
During JCK, the SCS team will be meeting with businesses across the supply chain, from mine to finger, showcasing the newly released standard and discussing its practical implementation. Parties interested in learning more about SCS’ sustainability certification services are encouraged to set up an appointment with Brandee Dallow in Las Vegas. She may be reached at [email protected].