Gemology Certification Gemology Ethical Sourcing & Industry Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which international agreement specifically targets the trade of rough diamonds to prevent their use in funding armed conflict?
- CITES Treaty
- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Correct answer)
- Basel Convention
- UN Global Compact
Correct answer: Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established in 2003 to prevent rough diamonds from financing rebel movements against legitimate governments.
Question 2: A gemologist discovers that a supplier's colored gemstones may originate from a mine using child labor. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
- Continue purchasing while investigating privately
- Suspend purchases and conduct a supply chain audit (Correct answer)
- Report only to local authorities and continue business
- Replace the supplier with another unvetted source
Correct answer: Suspend purchases and conduct a supply chain audit
Suspending purchases and conducting a supply chain audit ensures due diligence and prevents complicity in human rights violations.
Question 3: The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices requires member companies to address which of the following?
- Only environmental impacts of mining
- Human rights, labor rights, environmental practices, and business ethics (Correct answer)
- Solely gemstone grading accuracy
- Diamond pricing transparency only
Correct answer: Human rights, labor rights, environmental practices, and business ethics
The RJC Code of Practices covers human rights, labor rights, health and safety, environmental impacts, and business ethics comprehensively.
Question 4: What does 'provenance' mean in the context of ethical gemstone sourcing?
- The clarity grade of a gemstone
- The documented origin and chain of custody of a gemstone (Correct answer)
- The country where a gem is cut and polished
- The market value assigned at point of sale
Correct answer: The documented origin and chain of custody of a gemstone
Provenance refers to the traceable origin and documented history of a gemstone from mine to market.
Question 5: Which US law requires companies to disclose their use of conflict minerals including tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold sourced from the DRC region?
- Clean Diamond Trade Act
- Dodd-Frank Act Section 1502 (Correct answer)
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Tariff Act of 1930
Correct answer: Dodd-Frank Act Section 1502
Dodd-Frank Act Section 1502 mandates SEC-reporting companies to disclose sourcing of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Question 6: Fair trade gemstone certification primarily benefits which group in the supply chain?
- Large mining corporations
- Artisanal and small-scale miners (Correct answer)
- Diamond cutting factories
- Retail jewelers
Correct answer: Artisanal and small-scale miners
Fair trade certification ensures artisanal and small-scale miners receive fair prices, safe working conditions, and community investment.
Question 7: When a gemstone is described as 'ethically sourced,' what minimum standard should be verifiable?
- The gem scores high on all grading criteria
- No child labor, forced labor, or armed conflict financing occurred in its production (Correct answer)
- The gem was mined in North America or Europe
- The gem has been certified by a national government only
Correct answer: No child labor, forced labor, or armed conflict financing occurred in its production
Ethically sourced gems must have verifiable assurance that their production did not involve child labor, forced labor, or conflict financing.
Gemology Certification Gemology Ethical Sourcing & Industry Standards 2
Which international agreement specifically targets the trade of rough diamonds to prevent their use in funding armed conflict?