CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
EditorsMar 25, 2019
What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Ethical’ Sourcing?
One group wants to define key supply chain terms, and they are looking to the industry for input on how to do it.
A group formed during the first Jewelry Industry Summit now wants to define key supply chain terms, like ethical, sustainability and Fairtrade, and get the industry’s feedback on them. (Photo credit: Gem Legacy)
The conversation around “responsible sourcing,” “ethical supply chains” and whatever other buzzwords you might want to use to talk about transparency in the supply chain is here to stay.
There’s a plethora of conferences, panels at trade shows and other initiatives that back that up.
Tucson 2019 was no different.
However, when I returned from this year’s trip to the desert, another element was becoming clear to me: The industry is at a point where it risks having too many different conversations and too many different meanings for these terms, possibly creating more confusion than clarity.
I ended my post-Tucson observations blog post with this point because I wanted it to stick.
Luckily for me, that article got in front of the right people. Just hours after it was published, someone working with a group to address this very issue contacted me.
Emily Phillippy, the designer behind Emily Chelsea Jewelry, has been heading up a group working to establish industry-accepted definitions for several supply chain-related words.
Joining Phillippy are Jared Holstein and Jay Moncada of diamond and colored stone wholesaler Perpetuum Jewels, Erin Daily of Brooklyn Metalworks, sustainable jewelry consultant Christina Miller and designer Olivia Suffern of Olivia Marie Handcrafted Adornment.
What started as the Education Initiative during the first Jewelry Industry Summit in 2016 evolved into the Jewelry Glossary Project after they realized they were asking themselves, Phillippy said, “How can we educate anyone if we do not even have a shared set of definitions for the terms we are using?”
RELATED CONTENT—Analysis: The State of the Colored Stone MarketSo, they shifted their focus to eliminating ambiguity in key jewelry terms.
At first the list was long, but eventually they narrowed it down to a smaller group of words they thought were “most important, most used, most relevant and usually most confusing,” Phillippy said.
Then they went to work defining them in a way that can be used across all sectors of the industry.
To do this, the group referenced common use, domestic and international legal documents, and standards pertaining to jewelry or its components.
“We spent a lot of time on each word,” Phillippy said, “then we went back and spent a lot of time again on each word.”
The biggest challenge? Keeping opinion out if of it, according to Phillipy.
“We wanted to keep them as simple as possible, but it’s really hard to simplify when
there’s so much we want to say.”
This is why the Jewelry Glossary Project group also added explanations to go along with some of the definitions, to tack on pertinent notes on usage or examples.
Now, the group wants feedback on its definitions from the trade and is doing so via a survey.
“We want these to be the industry-wide accepted definitions so that we can all communicate in the same way,” Phillippy said. “That’s our biggest goal: that we can all understand when we’re talking retailer to wholesaler, and retailer to consumer.”
The group is opening to adding to and changing the list; Phillipy said they consider it to be an “ever-changing document.”
“As times change, as meanings change, as new technology becomes available, the definitions might change as well.”
They presented their definitions at this year’s Jewelry Industry Summit, where some trade members also suggested a few other words be added to the list, including: transparency, traceability, social responsibility/corporate responsibility, economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability.
The group hasn’t yet started defining those. For now, the focus is on the initial 10.
Eventually, they do want the glossary to live on its own website and be independent—not affiliated with any one organization—and be accessible for all businesses and trade groups to reference or share.
For now, though, the group is still working on its marketing plan, Phillipy said, and their next steps also will include figuring out how they will disseminate the glossary to the industry and consumers alike.
This is why the Jewelry Glossary Project group also added explanations to go along with some of the definitions, to tack on pertinent notes on usage or examples.
“How can we educate anyone if we do not even have a shared set of definitions for the terms we are using?”—Jewelry designer Emily PhillippySo far, the jewelry glossary defines 10 words: ethical, recycled, post-consumer recycled, pre-consumer recycled, sustainability, conflict-free diamond, Fairmined, Fairtrade, Fair Trade Certified and fair trade.
Now, the group wants feedback on its definitions from the trade and is doing so via a survey.
“We want these to be the industry-wide accepted definitions so that we can all communicate in the same way,” Phillippy said. “That’s our biggest goal: that we can all understand when we’re talking retailer to wholesaler, and retailer to consumer.”
The group is opening to adding to and changing the list; Phillipy said they consider it to be an “ever-changing document.”
“As times change, as meanings change, as new technology becomes available, the definitions might change as well.”
They presented their definitions at this year’s Jewelry Industry Summit, where some trade members also suggested a few other words be added to the list, including: transparency, traceability, social responsibility/corporate responsibility, economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability.
The group hasn’t yet started defining those. For now, the focus is on the initial 10.
Eventually, they do want the glossary to live on its own website and be independent—not affiliated with any one organization—and be accessible for all businesses and trade groups to reference or share.
For now, though, the group is still working on its marketing plan, Phillipy said, and their next steps also will include figuring out how they will disseminate the glossary to the industry and consumers alike.
More on Editors
The Latest
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
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.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
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.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
