Events & AwardsSep 19, 2022
AGTA Announces New Board of DirectorsPolicies & IssuesJan 23, 2023
AGTA Forms Committee to Standardize Industry ‘Sustainability’ Terms
Its focus are words like “sustainability,” “ethics,” and “responsible sourcing.”
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association wants to get the industry on the same page when it comes to buzzwords like “sustainability,” “ethics,” and “responsible sourcing.”
Last week, the organization announced it has formed a committee to develop standardized definitions for these and other related terms.
The committee will focus specifically on colored gemstones and cultured pearls.
“AGTA was a pioneer in establishing guidelines for the industry to follow surrounding ethics, transparency, and sustainability,” AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. said. “We look forward to this opportunity to further clarify specific terms and consumer interpretations of them.”
AGTA noted consumers are increasingly interested in supporting products and services that benefit the environment, offer fair pay, and work toward sustainability.
However, a lack of consensus regarding words like “sustainability” make marketing tricky. Uniform definitions applicable to colored gems will allow companies to advertise appropriately, AGTA said.
The committee’s goals are to provide leadership on this topic in the industry, help buyers and sellers communicate better, be part of the conversation, and to learn and grow as an organization, AGTA said.
More specifically, the committee will work on a handbook with contemporary definitions of terms like “responsible sourcing” to set industry standards.
This is meant to counteract greenwashing, or marketing spin that makes companies and products seem more environmentally friendly than they are.
“Some in the industry are pushing the envelope on using language without proper documentation to reinforce their claims,” said Kimberly Collins, AGTA president and owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems.
“AGTA understands that it is imperative to not only define these terms, but to live by them. This holds our membership accountable while providing peace of mind to the end consumer. Our new committee will complete a rough draft of the handbook in time for the Las Vegas shows.”
Related stories will be right here …
Last week, the organization announced it has formed a committee to develop standardized definitions for these and other related terms.
The committee will focus specifically on colored gemstones and cultured pearls.
“AGTA was a pioneer in establishing guidelines for the industry to follow surrounding ethics, transparency, and sustainability,” AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. said. “We look forward to this opportunity to further clarify specific terms and consumer interpretations of them.”
AGTA noted consumers are increasingly interested in supporting products and services that benefit the environment, offer fair pay, and work toward sustainability.
However, a lack of consensus regarding words like “sustainability” make marketing tricky. Uniform definitions applicable to colored gems will allow companies to advertise appropriately, AGTA said.
The committee’s goals are to provide leadership on this topic in the industry, help buyers and sellers communicate better, be part of the conversation, and to learn and grow as an organization, AGTA said.
More specifically, the committee will work on a handbook with contemporary definitions of terms like “responsible sourcing” to set industry standards.
This is meant to counteract greenwashing, or marketing spin that makes companies and products seem more environmentally friendly than they are.
“Some in the industry are pushing the envelope on using language without proper documentation to reinforce their claims,” said Kimberly Collins, AGTA president and owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems.
“AGTA understands that it is imperative to not only define these terms, but to live by them. This holds our membership accountable while providing peace of mind to the end consumer. Our new committee will complete a rough draft of the handbook in time for the Las Vegas shows.”
The committee members are: Jaimeen Shah, PrimaGems USA; Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite; Becky Scheffler, Rio Grande; John Bradshaw, John J. Bradshaw; Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem Corp.; Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC; and Vincent Pardieu, field gemologist.
Pardieu is the only committee member who is not an AGTA member, though AGTA has recruited his help due to his experience traveling to mines.
AGTA President Collins and CEO Ford will also offer input.
The committee formation comes after the recent Federal Trade Commission’s call for public comment on its “Green Guides,” the guidelines that outline what companies can and can’t say when promoting how “eco-friendly” their products are.
AGTA said it will work with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee to draft revisions and additions for the Green Guides.
Soon, AGTA will be in Tucson at the AGTA GemFair. It’s scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 5 at the Tucson Convention Center.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality SeriesIt follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store BurglaryPolice officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
