The Orsini Dedication to Ethically Sourced Diamonds and Gemstones
At Orsini, our loyal clients have peace of mind knowing that they are purchasing genuine, high-quality stones. We love working with our suppliers that are part of the Responsible Jewellery Council certification as it gives us peace of mind, but we are still often asked by new visitors to our Parnell atelier: "how do I know my diamond really is ethically sourced and conflict-free?"
So we'd like to do a deep dive into what 'ethically sourced and 'conflict free mean when it comes to diamonds and other gems, and why it is incredibly important both to us, and friends of our brand.
Read on for the Orsini guide to purchasing ethical stones, and how to become a more conscious consumer of diamonds and gems, so you can buy with a clear conscience.
Where diamonds come from
First and foremost, it is important to understand where diamonds come from, and how they are produced. Diamonds are formed far below the surface of the earth, where they are compressed into crystals over the course of millions of years. They then erupt out of pipes deep underground, forming the deposits that are mined today.
There are a variety of methods that are used to mine these diamonds, but most are sourced using open-pit, underground, or alluvial mining. Open-pit and underground mining are often performed by large mining companies with state-of-the-art technology, but alluvial mining is performed by hand. It requires gruelling, physical labour which can be exploited by the wrong people.
When diamonds are mined in a war zone, often by low-paid workers in dangerous conditions, the profits help fund violence, creating a vicious cycle that incentivises even more violence. Such diamonds are known as 'blood diamonds' or 'conflict diamonds'.
How do I know if a diamond is ethically sourced or not?
One way to feel more confident is to look for certification by the Kimberley Process. This certifies a stone was free of conflict during all stages of its production -from mining to polishing, to cutting, to sale.
Thanks to the Kimberley Process, today 99.8 percent of diamonds in the marketplace are conflict-free. This process requires that its member countries certify their diamonds as conflict free, and as aforementioned, requires certification throughout each and every step in the supply chain.
This means a diamond must be continuously certified when it is mined, polished, cut, and eventually sold. Any country that is certified by the Kimberly Process must only trade with other countries certified by the Kimberly Process, which now has over 80 participating nations.
How can customers be confident that the stones they purchase from Orsini are ethically sourced?
At Orsini we wholeheartedly support the Kimberley Process, which ensures there is much greater accountability and transparency in the diamond industry.
We take the sourcing of all of our stones incredibly seriously, and we always have. We only work with suppliers who meet international ethical standards, and we are committed to being transparent about our sourcing practices.
To ensure quality and authenticity of our stones, we only use ones that have correct certificates and identifications, such as those from the Geological Institute of America (GIA). These certificates give our customers peace of mind by providing information on every stone's origin, quality, and authenticity.
At Orsini we hand-select each stone with the highest quality in mind, we love that every stone is unique. We also strive to maximise the best stone within the budget of each and every one of our clients, while providing expert and personalised advice. This is why so many of our clients have been coming to Orsini again and again for their fine jewellery needs, they trust us every step of the way.
What kind of expert advice do you provide on diamonds and other stones?
At Orsini, we pride ourselves on having a wealth of knowledge behind us to draw on when it comes to delivering expert advice on choosing the best stone for you and maximising your budget as much as we can.
Orsini jewellers each have over 40 years of experience in creating jewellery, having completed traditional jewellery apprenticeships as well as trade certificates in jewellery. Alongside GIA (Geological Institute of America) certification and specialist diamond grading training through the GAA (Geological Association of Australia), our jewellers are also members of the Goldsmith Guild of New Zealand and abide by the Jewellers & Watchmakers of New Zealand Inc. Code of Ethics.
In addition, our in-house team at Orsini includes Sarah's nephew, Harry Barker, a qualified GAA diamond grader with additional GIA training who is always happy to share his knowledge with visitors to our elegant atelier.
Contact us - we'd love to hear from you
At Orsini we love the process of helping our clients to create their dream piece of bespoke jewellery, be it an engagement ring, wedding rings, or any other jewellery needs. The process of building and shaping an idea, then turning that idea into a true masterpiece, is one that we relish at every step.
If you have an idea in mind for a piece of jewellery that you just can't find or don't know where to start, we'd love to meet with you and give you an insight into our process and how it can work for you. The Orsini team consists of unabashedly creative and talented jewellery designers, premium diamond graders, gemologists and master goldsmiths, all trained to create unique pieces of jewellery through every stage of the process, with great precision and finish. We are proud of our creations and team work, and we would love to work together with you to make your dreams a reality.
Feel free to contact us at any time, or visit us instore at our elegant Parnell atelier, where we invite you to relax while we discuss the seemingly endless possibilities for your bespoke design.
