CIBJO Code Of Ethics

Best practice principles
www.cibjo.org

1. Consumer confidence
We are committed to operating our businesses with a view to ensuring that consumers buying jewelry are able to rely with confidence on the professional and ethical standards and technical skills of the jewelry industry, taking account of the following:

Gemstones are objects of prestige, generally acquired for sentimental reasons and are regarded as an item of value by the consumer;

- The consumer has limited expertise about gemstones and consequently, in order to make an informed choice, the consumer is reliant on (i) the standards and integrity of the jewelry industry, and (ii) information from the jewelry industry as to cut, color, clarity and carat weight and other attributes, including the application of any treatment as described in the CIBJO Blue Book;

- The highest professional and ethical standards and technical skills are necessary to ensure that consumer trust is not misplaced and that the reputation of the jewelry industry is maintained and enhanced;

-The non-disclosure of treatment and the passing off of partly or wholly synthetic stones and simulants as natural stones, is contrary to the interests of consumers;

- The injury and hardship suffered by local populations (and the potential for it) when conflicts arise in gemstone producing areas are unacceptable, as is seeking to profit from such conflicts.

2. Business practices
We are committed to operating our businesses in such a way that we neither engage in, nor encourage in any matter the following practices which are regarded as unacceptable and against the public interest and that of the jewelry industry:

a. Buying and trading rough gemstones from areas where this would encourage or support conflict and human suffering;

b. The use of child labor;

c. Practices which intentionally or recklessly endanger or harm the health or welfare of individuals;

d. Conduct which conflicts with the principles set out in (i) above, thereby bringing the jewelry industry into serious disrepute.

3. Commitment
We are committed to the highest industry ethics including the following:

a. Action to address concerns arising out of the misuse of rough gemstones in support
of conflict and regular discussions on other issues relevant to the jewelry industry to enable appropriate and timely industry responses;

b. The provision of proper working conditions (including the health, safety and well-being of workers);

c. The dignity of individuals and best practices to ensure the fair treatment of individuals;

d. Full compliance with international best practice and the related regulator framework with respect to the environment;

e. Full disclosure at all levels of the jewelry distribution chain and, most importantly, to consumers, of all treatments to natural gemstones and of wholly or partly synthetic stones and of simulants and compliance with the rules, regulations and guidelines published from time to time by CIBJO.