Conflict Of Interest

Behind the sparkle of some gemstones hides a bitter history. We’ve unearthed the facts to help you choose jewellery with a clear conscience.

- Nicola Smith

Provenance matters, whether we’re talking about coffee, clothes or diamond rings. We’ve all become more interested in recent years in knowing where the things we buy come from. Before we part with our cash, we want to be sure that our veg has been grown safely, that the chickens who provide our eggs have been looked after humanely, that the factory making our T-shirts treats its workers right. It should be the same when we buy a piece of jewellery. There should be no doubts in your mind, as you admire the sparkle of your brand-new engagement or wedding ring, that someone risked their life for that diamond.

The jewellery industry has not always been as fair or as legitimate as it is today. Nowadays, thankfully, there are laws in place to ensure that the precious stones you buy and wear are all sourced and made without anyone being harmed in the process.

When you’re browsing for rings, you might come across some that are labelled ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘conflict-free’. What does this signify? And which laws does a jeweller have to comply with in order to ensure that what they sell is of the required standard?

We have taken a peek behind the glittering display cabinets to investigate why cruelty-free jewellery matters. Read on for a heads-up on the labels and terminology to look out for to ensure you end up with the good stuff .

HARD AS STONE