Accountable.
Transparent. Proud.
We do not make claims we cannot substantiate. Our ethics are not a marketing position. They are the operating principles by which we choose every supplier, every stone, and every gram of metal. This page explains exactly what those standards are, where they come from, and how they protect you.
Two Standards That Define Our Sourcing
We source exclusively from suppliers and partners who operate within the frameworks of the Responsible Jewellery Council and Fairtrade Gold. These are the standards we hold our supply chain to, and the benchmarks we are working toward as a business.
Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)
The Responsible Jewellery Council is the world leading sustainability standard-setting organisation for the jewellery and watch industry, with over 2,000 member companies spanning the entire supply chain from mine to retail.
The RJC Code of Practices sets the ethical, social, and environmental requirements that all commercial RJC members must comply with. The Chain of Custody standard provides independent assurance that certified materials are traceable throughout the supply chain.
We source from RJC-member suppliers and are working toward our own RJC member certification, which requires a full independent audit of our own business practices.
Every diamond, gemstone, and precious metal we purchase comes from suppliers who are either RJC-certified members or operate to documented standards equivalent to the RJC Code of Practices.
Fairtrade Gold
Fairtrade Gold is sourced from artisanal and small-scale mining organisations that meet the Fairtrade Standard for Gold, covering fair wages, safe working conditions, chemical handling requirements, and environmental protection.
Fairtrade-certified mines receive a guaranteed minimum price plus a Fairtrade Premium of USD $2,000 per kilogram above the agreed sales price. Miners decide democratically how to use the premium, for schools, health centres, clean water, or equipment.
All bespoke commissions at Purpose Driven Diamonds use Fairtrade Gold. The small premium we pay goes directly to the cooperative of miners who extracted it.
The gold in your engagement ring is traceable to its source, and the people at that source received a fair price for it. A typical ring contains 3-6 grams of gold. The Fairtrade Premium on that quantity is approximately £5-10 extra on your total, paid directly to the mining cooperative.
What the RJC Code of Practices
Actually Requires
Human Rights and Labour
No forced or child labour at any point in the supply chain
Fair wages and documented working hours
Freedom of association - workers can organise
No discrimination on gender, race, religion, or origin
Grievance mechanisms accessible to all workers
Health and Safety
Documented occupational health and safety systems
Provision of personal protective equipment
Safe chemical handling - strict controls on mercury and cyanide
Emergency response procedures in place
Regular health monitoring for workers in at-risk roles
Environmental Management
Environmental management systems in place
Land rehabilitation planning before extraction begins
Water source protection - no contamination of local supply
Greenhouse gas emissions identification and reporting
No operations in protected areas or World Heritage Sites
Business Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Zero tolerance for bribery and corruption
No facilitation of money laundering
Accurate and transparent record-keeping
Conflict of interest policies and disclosure requirements
Legal compliance in all jurisdictions of operation
Responsible Sourcing
Kimberley Process compliance for all natural diamonds
Supply chain due diligence for conflict minerals
Know-your-supplier requirements throughout the chain
Documentation of origin for all scope materials
Enhanced due diligence for conflict-affected regions
Transparency and Accountability
Annual independent audit by RJC-accredited third party
Public disclosure of certification status
Grievance and whistleblowing mechanisms
Management systems documented and accessible
Continuous improvement requirements between certifications
How Fairtrade Gold Works
Fairtrade Gold is one of the most directly traceable and community-impactful standards in the jewellery industry. Here is exactly how it works, from the mine to your ring.
Certified Mine
Fairtrade-certified artisanal miners extract gold under strict health, safety, environmental, and labour standards. Child labour is prohibited. Democratic cooperative governance.
Fairtrade Premium
The mining cooperative receives USD $2,000 per kilogram above market price. Miners vote on how to use this for schools, health centres, clean water, or equipment.
Certified Refinery
Gold passes through a Fairtrade-licensed refinery. Documentation tracks the material and keeps it separate from non-certified gold.
Licensed Jeweller
We purchase Fairtrade Gold from a licensed Fairtrade supplier. Documentation proves the chain of custody from mine to our workshop.
Your Piece
The Fairtrade Gold is hallmarked and set. Documentation proving origin and the premium paid can be provided with your piece on request.
Diamonds, Gemstones and Metals:
Our Complete Sourcing Commitment
Natural Diamonds
Every natural diamond we source is conflict-free under the Kimberley Process. We source from suppliers who can document country of origin and operate within RJC supply chain standards.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds we supply come with IGI full 4Cs certification. We source CVD lab-grown stones from facilities that use renewable energy. Growth method is documented on every certificate.
Fairtrade Gold
All bespoke commissions use Fairtrade Gold with documented chain of custody from certified artisanal mine through licensed refinery to our workshop.
Coloured Gemstones
Coloured gemstones present the most complex sourcing challenge. We source sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and spinels with supplier country-of-origin documentation.
Silver and Platinum
We prioritise recycled silver and platinum-group metals. Where new mining is required, we source from RJC-standard suppliers.
Recycled and Vintage
We welcome the use of recycled and vintage materials in bespoke commissions. If you have existing jewellery you would like incorporated, we actively encourage this.
Where We Are Now.
Where We Are Going.
We source exclusively from RJC-member or RJC-equivalent suppliers
All bespoke commissions use Fairtrade Gold
All lab-grown diamonds carry full IGI 4Cs certification
All natural diamonds are Kimberley Process certified
We document country of origin for every natural diamond
We prioritise recycled platinum and silver
A percentage of every sale funds Purpose Driven Projects
Our own RJC member certification (requires independent audit of our business)
Full mine-level traceability for every stone, not just country of origin
Fairtrade or Fairmined certification for all precious metals, not just gold
Direct community partnerships for coloured gemstone sourcing
Published annual Purpose Report with verified impact data
100% recycled precious metals for ready-to-wear pieces
Certified carbon-neutral operations
Questions About Our Standards?
We welcome scrutiny. Ask us anything about our supply chain, sourcing standards, or Purpose Driven Projects. We will answer honestly.
Get in Touch Our Purpose Driven Projects