Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
Tiffany Is Now Telling Consumers the Origin of Its Diamonds
Next year, the jeweler will start sharing information on where stones were cut and polished.
![The map now included in Tiffany & Co. showcases as part of the Diamond Source Initiative lists the 10 countries from which the jeweler gets its diamonds: Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Lesotho, Namibia, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania. 20190201_Tiffany_header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/8c3afb28b51cc04df15c0293c02b2120.jpg)
There’s now a map inside with 10 pins dropped on countries from Canada to Australia above a plaque that reads: “In keeping with our commitment to responsible sourcing, we now provide provenance information for every newly sourced, individually registered diamond we set, a significant step for diamond transparency.”
The plaque and the map—both with touches of Tiffany blue, of course—are part of what the jeweler is calling the “Diamond Source Initiative,” which it rolled out worldwide last month.
Now when customers come into any of Tiffany’s 300-plus stores, salespeople will be able to tell them the country of origin for most “individually registered” diamonds—diamonds that are 0.18 carats or larger and have been laser-engraved with “T&Co.” and a unique serial number.
There are, of course, a couple exceptions.
Diamonds sourced from De Beers, which does not segregate production from its various mines in southern Africa and Canada, will be labeled “Botswana sort.” Most of the stones, Tiffany said, were mined in Botswana, with some originating from mines in Namibia, South Africa and Canada.
For diamonds that pre-date the program’s rollout, Tiffany said it will provide confirmation to consumers that the diamond was sourced responsibly.
![In addition to the map and the explanation of the Diamond Source Initiative, Tiffany is displaying select stones with their country of origin, like the diamond from South Africa seen here. In addition to the map and the explanation of the Diamond Source Initiative, Tiffany is displaying select stones with their country of origin, like the diamond from South Africa seen here.](/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbVVXIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--c838b1fb7233541a3f4e3e1b143ebaf3d78c6449/20190201_Tiffany_diamond.jpg)
Tiffany started sharing diamond origin in its stores on Jan. 9, though it could have begun doing so years ago.
Andy Hart, Tiffany’s senior vice president of diamond jewelry and supply, said former Chairman and CEO Michael Kowalski started Tiffany down the path of charting diamond origin in the late ‘90s.
In 2002, Tiffany established Laurelton Diamonds, the jeweler’s rough sourcing arm that is a De Beers sightholder, and a client of Alrosa and Canadian miner Dominion Diamond.
In 2003, it began laser-inscribing its diamonds with unique serial numbers that are recorded in a database that contains information about each stone’s journey from mine to market.
So, why wait until now to start sharing source information with consumers?
“For a long time, we felt we were doing it because it was the right thing to do, and it was good for the company and it was good for the industry,” Hart said. “I think our customers deserve to know what is going on behind the scenes.”
![The Diamond Source Initiative displays in Tiffany’s showcases consist of, from top to bottom, the retailer’s diamond sourcing map, an explanation of the initiative and a single diamond labeled with country of origin, like this stone from South Africa. The Diamond Source Initiative displays in Tiffany’s showcases consist of, from top to bottom, the retailer’s diamond sourcing map, an explanation of the initiative and a single diamond labeled with country of origin, like this stone from South Africa.](/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbVlXIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--f4c76e535af60f3c64b3a72deb9e0843ba7a2a3c/20190201_Tiffany_full_display.jpg)
“We just felt like now was the right moment in Tiffany’s history to disclose the origin to our customers,” he said. “We really believe in the rarity and the incredible nature of diamonds. Diamonds grown in the lab have important uses in particular contexts and are going to perhaps have a greater use in the in the jewelry industry.”
But, Hart said, Tiffany won’t be using the stones in its jewelry.
“Natural diamonds create opportunity for people in countries where diamonds are a natural resource, such as Botswana. We believe in the opportunity to make, and we are making, a positive impact in those local communities.”
The Latest
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Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
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As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
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They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
![](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/99a46b30cc354962ac2e29ecd113587a.jpg)
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Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
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GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
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The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
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Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
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The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
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Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
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Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
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The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
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The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
![L.A.-based flower designer, Sophia Moreno-Bunge models Guzema’s “Hidden Beauty” collection in front of a garden in Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, California. Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6f3822623eb7fd2f6468f82825194cb1.jpg)
The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
![The Entrepreneurship Grants program supports winners with financial aid to scale their businesses and increase their societal impact, said Diamonds Do Good. Pictured here are three of the 13 winners, top right is Tresia Shituula, and bottom row left to right, are Monkgogi Moshaga and Mohamed Samu. Tresia Shituula, Monkgogi Moshaga, Mohamed Samu](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a7c9b87301b76a9446f6522747ce5b95.jpg)
The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
![Ghazi Osta, better known as Gus, was the owner and president of Volusia Gold & Diamond, a store he and his wife, Leigh Osta, opened in 1986. He was shot and killed inside the store Friday afternoon after a brief argument with a regular customer. (Photo courtesy of Volusia Gold & Diamond Facebook page) Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c8c1fa3df746cbd364915a98dcac9d21.jpg)
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
![Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (left) is the Responsible Jewellery Council’s new head of North American development, and Effie Marinos is its new specialist advisor for technical standards. Elyssa Jenkins-Perez and Effie Marinos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/94332af0c7a776e7a8c36fabf76baa5f.jpg)
The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
![Karen Rentmeesters, who joined the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in 2010, will take on the role of CEO. Karen Rentmeesters](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3256fcc71cd43a399055c61f68486269.jpg)
Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
![Longtime Washington, D.C., jeweler Brian Mann (right) with his wife Jessie Mann, an artist who custom-paints porcelain Limoges Boxes, at a 2016 Jewelers of America member event. Mann, the longtime co-owner of David Mann Jewelers, died June 21 at age 70. Brian and Jessie Mann](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/be4debc6e0b3198943a66ef0e2197c2c.jpg)
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
![The 1916 Company recently opened a new Tudor boutique in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Tudor store in Denver](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9f8600ea53ed731963331ebd28a10d16.jpg)
The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
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Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
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Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
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Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
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The celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.