The Gemological Institute of America (GIA’s) recent Knowledge Session held on 12th November, 2020, offered insights into consumer demand for ethically sourced materials, the importance of sustainability and ethics, and transparency in the gem and jewellery supply chain.
The discussion was moderated by author and journalist Melanie Grant, who expanded on topics discussed in her book, “Coveted: Art and Innovation in High Jewelry,” with the panel of experts.
Opening the discussion, GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques touched on the importance of education through storytelling and the increased value that transparency provides, “[in reference to GIA’s Diamond Origin Report] consumers purchasing one of Mother Nature’s greatest treasures, a natural diamond that was formed more than a billion years ago, can now learn more about its journey and the positive impact it had on communities in which it was mined… This is helping to educate and tell the story so consumers understand the product journey in a way they never did before.”
Livia Firth, co-founder and creative director of Eco-Age and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC), expanded on the topic of greater transparency and improvements in the industry, saying “the jewellery industry has learned from the lessons of the past and is building from there… and actually creating a blueprint of how diamond mining happens.”
Image by GIA