MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
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
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
