Tiffany & Co has announced that it will begin sharing with consumers the provenance (region or countries of origin) of its newly sourced, individually registered diamonds.

This is a significant step for diamond transparency and by 2020 their craftsmanship journey will also be revealed– an industry first, the company says.

With its Diamond Source Initiative, Tiffany is tracing each of its individually registered diamonds (0.18 carats and larger) by a unique “T&Co” serial number etched by laser and invisible to the naked eye, and providing consumers geographic sourcing information specific to their diamond. Beyond general assurances of “conflict-free,” Tiffany believes that knowing provenance is critical to ensuring its diamonds are among the most responsibly sourced in the world, it says.

The initiative includes:

• Provenance information will be merchandised in Love & Engagement caselines in Tiffany stores around the world, alongside a selection of diamond rings with their individual provenance clearly displayed. In addition, geographic sourcing information for all individually registered diamonds will be made available to consumers via Tiffany & Co. sales professionals and customer service.

• Tiffany & Co. is committing to 100% geographic transparency for every newly sourced, individually registered diamond, and will not source any diamonds with unknown provenance (even if responsible sourcing is assured) moving forward.

• In Q1 2019 Tiffany will begin including provenance on the Tiffany Diamond Certificate for individually registered diamonds, alongside the stone’s other specifications, information not made available on other industry lab reports or by other global luxury jewellers.

• In 2020 Tiffany will begin sharing craftsmanship journey (such as cutting and polishing workshop location) in addition to provenance.

“Diamonds, formed up to 3 billion years ago and brought to the earth’s surface by a miracle of nature, are symbols of the most important moments in our lives. There should be nothing opaque about Tiffany diamonds,” said Alessandro Bogliolo, Chief Executive Officer, Tiffany & Co. “Our clients want and deserve to know where their most valuable, most cherished diamond jewellery is from, and how it came to be.”

Although current diamond industry practices preclude the identification of provenance for many of the world’s diamonds, Tiffany continues to lead the industry by bringing a new level of transparency to its diamond supply chain. In cases where provenance is unknown – such as heritage stones that predate this policy – Tiffany will provide confirmation that the diamond was sourced with industry-leading practices, the company says.

Tiffany’s superlative standards exceed the Kimberley Process Certification requirements for rough diamonds and, for polished stones, mandate compliance with Tiffany’s Diamond Source Warranty Protocol, it adds.

In the case of one trusted supplier with several responsibly managed operations, diamonds may be designated ‘Botswana sort.’ The majority of these diamonds were mined in Botswana, as well as in select mines in Namibia, South Africa, or Canada. For ‘Botswana sort” stones, provenance is the above grouping of countries, procured as an aggregated parcel of rough diamonds from a specific, limited group of mines in Southern Africa and Canada.

“Tiffany & Co. has long been committed to diamond traceability and going above and beyond industry norms to promote the protection of the environment and human rights,” said Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tiffany & Co. “A transparent journey of responsible sourcing reflects the many positive and far-reaching benefits along every step of the diamond supply chain.”

Tiffany & Co is unique among global luxury jewellers in owning and operating its own diamond polishing workshops around the world – where 1,500+ Tiffany artisans ensure superlative diamond quality and craftsmanship. To highlight this competitive difference, by 2020, Tiffany will also share the craftsmanship journey of its diamonds along with its provenance.

Today, with more than 13,000 employees, Tiffany & Co and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and market jewellery, watches and luxury accessories.