Transparency, sustainability and social good

In the jewelry industry, reality can be toxic. From poor environmental practices to worker mistreatment, corruption and even warfare, the jewelry industry has a sordid past.

May 11| Jesse Swingle

Our team loves jewelry. From the smallest band to the blingiest statement piece, we live for it.

As with most great loves, however, it is important to acknowledge reality. And in our industry, the reality can be toxic. From poor environmental practices to worker mistreatment, corruption and even warfare, the jewelry industry has a sordid past.

We’re here to say: enough.

Though things are improving, a responsible buyer still has to be wary at every point, sourcing only from trusted organizations and double-checking certifications. Our experts are trained to do just that.

Where we stand

Transparency, sustainability and social good are at the heart of sourcing and manufacturing at Insider Creations. Though it can sometimes be difficult to find the right factory or supplier, we are committed to meeting and exceeding the standards set by the UN Global Compact, which focuses on human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption, as well as Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) standards. We urge other companies in our space to join us.

We work tirelessly to identify and secure facilities and suppliers that can meet our strict requirements and understand our goals. We urge others in our space to do the same.

With relationships that span the globe, much of the detail of our sourcing and manufacturing program happens behind the scenes. We work tirelessly to identify and secure facilities and suppliers that can meet our strict requirements and understand our goals. And we ensure that they maintain those strict standards, even after the auditors or our team are no longer on-site.

Of course, many customers share specific sourcing requirements during the design phase. These requirements build upon our existing sourcing stipulations or can move the project in a specific direction. For example, many eco-conscious customers now prefer lab-grown diamonds for their social and environmental benefits. Others may focus on using elements sourced from human-created ocean waste.

These requirements don’t necessarily add cost. Many clients are surprised to learn that lab-made diamonds can cost as much as a third less and avoid some of the complications of mined diamonds.

These requirements don’t necessarily add cost.

We pride ourselves in the relationships we have with trusted partners around the world. Facilities we do not manage directly undergo regular audits to ensure compliance with our strict standards. Our job, after all, is to ensure that customers receive the highest-quality pieces that effortlessly reflect their brand.

Standards & guidelines

On top of our strict requirements, our factories and suppliers operate in accordance with the following standards, guidelines and directives, or ones issued by the named organizations. Again, we urge others in the industry to consider one or all of these as well:

• LBMA Responsible Gold/Silver Guidance
• LBMA Responsible Silver Guidance
• DMCC Practical Guidance for Market Participants in the Gold and Precious Metals Industry
• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and the Supplement on Gold
• World Gold Council Conflict Free Gold Standard
• Financial Crimes Investigation Board
• Responsible Jewelry Council.
• Gemological Institute of America
• International Colored Gemstone Association
• American Gem Society
• Kimberley Process

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