Ethical Sourcing & Chain of Custody Flashcards

A Canadian diamond bearing a polar bear laser inscription is an example of what sourcing practice?

Answer: Country-of-origin branding to assure ethical provenance

Canadian diamonds are often laser-inscribed with origin marks and serial numbers to assure buyers of their conflict-free Canadian provenance.

Under the Kimberley Process, which shipments of rough diamonds are permitted to cross international borders?

Answer: Only shipments accompanied by a KP certificate issued by the exporting country

The KPCS requires that all rough diamond shipments crossing international borders be accompanied by a government-issued KP certificate.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) presents unique chain-of-custody challenges primarily because:

Answer: Informal mining operations often lack documentation linking miners to legitimate supply chains

ASM operations are often informal and poorly documented, making it difficult to trace stones from the point of extraction through the supply chain.

Which technology is increasingly used to track individual diamonds and create immutable chain-of-custody records?

Answer: Blockchain-based provenance platforms

Blockchain platforms create tamper-resistant digital ledgers that record each transfer in a diamond's journey from mine to retail.

When a customer specifically requests an ethically sourced diamond, the most responsible retailer response is to:

Answer: Explain the limitations of current certification systems and offer traceable or responsibly sourced options

A responsible retailer transparently explains both what current systems guarantee and their limitations, then presents available traceable or responsibly sourced options.

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices requires member companies to address which of the following?

Answer: Human rights, labor rights, environmental impact, and business ethics across the supply chain

RJC certification covers a broad scope including human rights, labor practices, environmental stewardship, and ethical business conduct throughout the jewelry supply chain.

What distinguishes a 'traceable' diamond from one that is merely 'KP compliant'?

Answer: Traceable diamonds have documentation linking them to a specific mine or region, while KP compliance only certifies country-level conflict-free status

KP compliance certifies at a national level that rough diamonds are conflict-free, while traceability provides mine-specific or region-specific provenance documentation.