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
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT PresidentA longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for AuctionThe platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored GemstonesGet a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.
CrimeMay 23, 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.
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ RingFrom Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification SystemThe lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the SpotlightSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO ShowDavid Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14% The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce JudgesThe nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s GuideThis year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.
CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ CollectionThe jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.
