MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
EditorsMar 13, 2014
The ethics behind being recycled
In early February, we ran a story about a new program called Sustainable in Style. Created by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based diamond company Avilan, the program pairs independents designers--Sofia Kaman, Toby Pomeroy and Megan Thorne among them--with Avilan’s “eco ethical” Storied Diamonds, which are recycled, or previously owned, stones.
Marianne Riou writes on the website for French diamond company Rubel & Ménashé that recycled diamonds are “increasingly on the agenda” in the U.S. market. National Jeweler’s own Brecken Branstrator reports on a new website that focuses on pre-owned engagement rings while IDEX Online’s Edahn Golan thinks the recycled diamond “party” is winding down at least “until the next major economic crash” (so ominous, Mr. Golan).
In the midst of all this, I received a call from a reporter for a major newspaper who informed me she was working on an article on the “trend” of more young people proposing with their great-aunts’ and grandparents’ engagement rings. The reasoning, she informed me, was because, basically, they were concerned about conflict diamonds and the “marketing tricks” associated with the stones.
Now, this is not a blog about all the misconceptions about diamonds, how the industry should be doing more to promote its positive aspects, or how ridiculous the insinuation is that diamonds are the only products on earth sold via marketing. My colleagues have done a fine job of that lately, as pointed out by JCK’s Rob Bates in this recent blog. All the stories he links to are worthy of a read as well.
But I am going to go ahead and make one point about recycled diamonds, and this is something that has always bothered me when people try to tout them as being more socially responsible than newly mined diamonds: The diamond industry has a long history that was ugly at points. Just because your stone came out of the ground before the rise of so-called blood diamonds doesn’t mean it’s completely without issue. Lack of proper housing, mistreatment of workers and health and safety issues--just to name a few of a myriad of problems--existed for decades following the time diamonds were first discovered in Africa in the late 19th century. Honestly, who do you think is better off: the miners of today in a nation such Botswana or those who were mining under colonial rule in the early 20th century?
I brought up this point in a recent interview with Jana Hadany, the vice president of operations
and sustainability at Avilan, as I was curious to get her thoughts.
Hadany fully admits that there is indeed no way to guarantee an ethical origin for recycled stones. The company, she says, is not making any claims about their stones’ origin in selling their “Storied Diamonds.”
“We don’t know how it originally came into the market. It could have come from unethical sources,” she says.
What are they doing, however, is getting SCS Global Services to certify that all their diamonds are-post consumer, meaning pre-owned.
Hadany likens it to recycled paper. Just as all recycled paper originally came from a tree that had to be felled, all recycled diamonds originally came from the earth, which had to be mined. By buying recycled, though, consumers who are eco-conscious are not contributing to new diamond mining, just as those who buy recycled paper are not partaking in further deforestation.
“It’s a like a carbon-neutral kind of mentality,” Hadan says. “That’s why you buy it. There’s less impact on the environment.”
There’s definitely nothing wrong with that, just as long as consumers understand what exactly it means--and what it doesn't mean--when they choose a recycled diamond over a newer stone. Based on my conversation with the reporter and the negative reports that constantly pop up in the media about diamonds, I am not so sure many of them do.
Hadany fully admits that there is indeed no way to guarantee an ethical origin for recycled stones. The company, she says, is not making any claims about their stones’ origin in selling their “Storied Diamonds.”
“We don’t know how it originally came into the market. It could have come from unethical sources,” she says.
What are they doing, however, is getting SCS Global Services to certify that all their diamonds are-post consumer, meaning pre-owned.
Hadany likens it to recycled paper. Just as all recycled paper originally came from a tree that had to be felled, all recycled diamonds originally came from the earth, which had to be mined. By buying recycled, though, consumers who are eco-conscious are not contributing to new diamond mining, just as those who buy recycled paper are not partaking in further deforestation.
“It’s a like a carbon-neutral kind of mentality,” Hadan says. “That’s why you buy it. There’s less impact on the environment.”
There’s definitely nothing wrong with that, just as long as consumers understand what exactly it means--and what it doesn't mean--when they choose a recycled diamond over a newer stone. Based on my conversation with the reporter and the negative reports that constantly pop up in the media about diamonds, I am not so sure many of them do.
More on Editors
The Latest
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
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 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
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.
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to SeattleThe trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
