EditorsApr 01, 2022
What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Responsible’? Policies & IssuesApr 04, 2022
SCS Sustainable Standard Expands to Include Artisanal Gold Mines
The firm has partnered with the Alliance for Responsible Mining to bring “Certified Sustainability Rated Gold” to the market.
SCS Global Services and the Alliance for Responsible Mining have partnered to expand SCS’s sustainability certification to small-scale and artisanal gold mines. (Photo credit: Alliance for Responsible Mining)
Emeryville, Calif.—SCS Global Services and the Alliance for Responsible Mining have partnered to expand the SCS 007 Sustainability Rated Jewelry Standard to include gold from artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM).
The move aims to allow those participating in ARM’s Sustainable Mines Program to have their gold independently evaluated under the SCS-007 standard and marketed to consumers as “Certified Sustainability Rated Gold.”
To streamline the integration of ASM mines into SCS-007, the supply chain evaluations will use existing specialized ASM standards developed by ARM: the Fairmined Standard and CRAFT Code.
ASM organizations will also undergo life cycle assessment to confirm their gold mining operations are climate neutral and are working to reduce other impacts.
There will also be origin confirmation testing conducted by Source Certain International, a forensic testing lab for provenance analysis.
The SCS-007 certificate will contain details regarding CRAFT Code conformity verification and mines support by ARM.
Both the Alliance for Responsible Mining and Mercury Free Mining (MFM) will be involved in bringing ASM mines and stakeholders into the process.
Refiner and manufacturer Hoover & Strong and the Fair Trade Jewellery Company also have been working with SCS, bringing their experience as the first two companies in North America to market Fairtrade, Fairmined, and responsibly sourced gold from the Congo.
Related stories will be right here …
The move aims to allow those participating in ARM’s Sustainable Mines Program to have their gold independently evaluated under the SCS-007 standard and marketed to consumers as “Certified Sustainability Rated Gold.”
To streamline the integration of ASM mines into SCS-007, the supply chain evaluations will use existing specialized ASM standards developed by ARM: the Fairmined Standard and CRAFT Code.
ASM organizations will also undergo life cycle assessment to confirm their gold mining operations are climate neutral and are working to reduce other impacts.
There will also be origin confirmation testing conducted by Source Certain International, a forensic testing lab for provenance analysis.
The SCS-007 certificate will contain details regarding CRAFT Code conformity verification and mines support by ARM.
Both the Alliance for Responsible Mining and Mercury Free Mining (MFM) will be involved in bringing ASM mines and stakeholders into the process.
Refiner and manufacturer Hoover & Strong and the Fair Trade Jewellery Company also have been working with SCS, bringing their experience as the first two companies in North America to market Fairtrade, Fairmined, and responsibly sourced gold from the Congo.
Hoover & Strong will provide refining services to the gold mines involved.
Meanwhile, the first jewelers in the program will be members of the FairSources Group, a global network of cooperating independent jewelers founded by the Fair Trade Jewellery Company.
“This agreement represents another important advance for the jewelry industry, bringing state-of-the-art science to the verification of origin, sustainability, and climate claims for ASM-sourced gold,” said Gina D’Amato, Executive Director of ARM. “It is one more way that we can support the lives and livelihoods of artisanal and small-scale mining communities while simultaneously working to protect the environment and climate.”
SCS performs third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development.
Launched in 2021, the SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Jewelry Standard was the first comprehensive, multi-stakeholder sustainability standard developed for the gem-quality diamond sector.
It’s now being expanded to precious metals and gemstones.
Requirements for the standard address five aspects of sustainability: verified origin traceability, ethical stewardship, climate neutrality, sustainable production practices, and sustainability investments.
Part of each certification fee goes to supporting ASMs.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
