Certified Sustainably Produced Gemstones
Third-Party Certification for Mined and Laboratory-Grown Gemstones
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- Greener Product Claims /
- Certified Sustainably Produced Gemstones
What are Certified Sustainably Produced Gemstones?
Certified sustainably produced gemstones are gemstones that have been independently verified to meet rigorous environmental, social, governance (ESG), climate, and traceability requirements. African consumers are increasingly demanding that the gemstones they purchase meet the highest standards of environmental responsibility and transparency, protecting people and the planet.
Certification is underpinned by the SCS-007 Certification Standard for Sustainably Produced Gemstones—the first comprehensive, multi-stakeholder sustainability standard developed for the gemstone sector.
This third-party certification applies to both mined and laboratory-grown diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, including any entity that handles the gemstones along the supply chain from production to market. The certification program recognizes Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) achievement for mined gemstones.
Certified Sustainably Produced Gemstones establishes unprecedented benchmarks of performance and transparency at the product level, backed by an independent, third-party audit. No other standard provides this level of assurance to retailers or their customers.
Certification under the SCS-007 Standard requires independently verified performance across environmental, social, governance, climate, and traceability criteria at the product level.
Sustainability Pillars
- Good Governance: Operate with transparency and integrity, supported by systems that ensure accountability and responsible practices at every level.
- Traceability: Each gemstone is tracked from its certified source to market, supported by blockchain-enabled chain-of-custody records.
- Environmental Stewardship: Responsible use of resources, reduced emissions and waste, and minimizing environmental impacts.
- Social Responsibility: Workers are treated fairly, human rights are respected, and safe working conditions are maintained across the supply chain.
- Climate Responsibility: Measure GHG emissions, reduce the carbon footprint from production (Scope 1) and energy use (Scope 2), and balance impacts through independently verified carbon offset credits.
Additional Optional Advanced Sustainability Categories
- 100% Renewable Electricity: Operations are powered entirely by renewable electricity across production and manufacturing facilities, further reducing environmental impact.
- Supply Chain Climate Responsibility: Organizations expand climate action beyond direct operations by addressing upstream (Scope 3) emissions and implementing strategies to measure, reduce, and balance supply chain impacts using high-quality, independently verified carbon credits.
- Sustainability Impact Investor: Organizations contribute to broader sustainability outcomes by investing at least 1% of profits or time into initiatives that support communities and environmental improvement.
Certified Sustainably Produced Gemstones vs. Traditional Gemstones
Certified sustainably produced gemstones are supported by independently verified data, product-level traceability, and annual third-party audits, while traditional gemstones may not include consistent verification, traceability, or standardized performance criteria across the supply chain.
- Benefits
- Supply Chain Roles
- FAQs
- Documents
Benefits for gemstone industry participants include:
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Build trust with verified claims: Demonstrate sustainability with an independently audited, data-backed certification for gemstones.
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Differentiate in a competitive market: Stand out with credible, recognized proof of responsible sourcing and production practices.
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Strengthen supply chain transparency: Gain visibility and control with traceable, end-to-end verified materials.
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Meet evolving regulatory expectations: Stay ahead of global requirements with auditable, product-level certification data.
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Drive long-term value: Support practices that reduce risk and build brand confidence.
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Ready-to-use marketing assets: Access approved materials aligned with SCS requirements and regulatory guidelines.
Both mined and laboratory-grown gemstones can be certified under this unified standard, including diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, recognizing companies advancing responsible practices across all production methods
The program applies to organizations across the full supply chain. Companies that handle gemstones from production to retail are eligible to participate, either through certification or authorization:
- Producers (lab-grown facilities or IRMA recognized mining operations)
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Handlers (entities that physically manage certified material along the supply chain)
- Cutters and polishers
- Jewelry manufacturers
- Brokers and wholesalers
- Retailers
Certified companies are producers and handlers who have been audited and meet the full requirements of the standard. Wholesalers and retailers are authorized partners who ensure certified gemstones are sold with product-level certification for the consumer.
Participation demonstrates leadership in responsible sourcing, environmental and social performance, and transparent business practices, while maintaining a secure chain of custody that ensures full traceability from source to market.
What does it mean to be certified under SCS 007?
Certification means an organization meets independently verified requirements across environmental, social, governance, climate, and traceability criteria under the SCS-007 Sustainably Produced Gemstone Standard.Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Producers, cutters and polishers, jewelry manufacturers, and other entities handling certified material can achieve certification. Wholesalers and retailers can become authorized sellers.What products are covered under the standard?
The standard applies to diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, including both laboratory-grown and mined gemstones.How is compliance verified and how often?
Compliance is verified through independent third-party audits conducted annually to maintain certification and demonstrate ongoing conformance.What is required to support sustainability claims?
All claims must be accurate, traceable, and supported by auditable, product-level data, including certification documentation for individual gemstones or jewelry items.How does traceability work within the program?
Traceability is maintained through a blockchain-enabled chain-of-custody system, where each gemstone is assigned unique identifiers and digital records linking it to its certified source.What is the difference between certified and authorized companies?
Certified companies are producers and handlers who have been audited and meet the full requirements of the standard. Wholesalers and retailers are authorized partners who ensure certified gemstones are sold with product-level certification for the consumer.How does the program address climate impact?
Participants are required to measure their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol, reduce where possible, and balance their operational carbon footprint through high quality carbon offsets.
| Document Name | Document |
|---|---|
| SCS-007-1 Sustainability Rated Diamonds Version 1 | English |
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