Put people & the planet before profit.
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We protect against exploited labour
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We protect against conflict diamonds
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We ensure minimal environmental impact
Nightingale have made it their mission to change the jewellery industry from within. By only supporting ethically sourced and environmentally friendly materials, together we can make sure unethical practices remain a thing of the past.
This is our future. This is the future of jewellery.
We protect against exploited labour
Our industry has been known to race to the bottom to make goods cheaper, compounded by those seeking greater profit margins. Compromises have been made and it saddens us when we hear about the exploitative measures used including forced labour and child labour to fulfil this demand.
The problems are typically found in a number of mining industries as well as in the cutting and polishing of diamonds. We won’t tolerate this. We work with our partners to ensure and certify the legality and free will of the workers. Suppliers are regularly visited and audited to ensure they conform to the ethical requirements stipulated by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
We protect against conflict diamonds
Issues around conflict diamonds being used by rebel movements to finance wars against governments are well documented, it has been, and continues to be a real concern. Fortunately the jewellery industry has put initiatives in place to help protect against it.
We subscribe to the Kimberley Process which is a joint initiative between governments, industry and society to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. This process uses traceability systems to ensure that rough diamonds are shipped via tamper-proof methods and are certified and labelled as conflict-free.
Shipments that lack certification will be rejected or impounded. The diamonds are further protected to remain compliant as they continue their journey to market.
We insist that all our diamond and jewellery partners have signed up to The Kimberley Process and make a statement to this effect on their supply documentation.
We ensure minimal environmental impact
Mining diamonds is an intense and destructive process. Mines can be more than 3 miles in diameter and over 5 tonnes of earth must be removed for every 1 carat of diamond extracted. This is a similar story for precious metals such as gold. Every year, millions of tons of greenhouse gasses are emitted in the mining process, partially by the heavy diesel machinery used.
We use a combination of selective sourcing, utilising recycled gold, technological innovation and continual production optimisation to combat waste and unnecessary environmental impact.
We’re pioneering the supremely ethical process of lab-grown diamonds
Further to our ethical sourcing of mined diamonds, our CVD lab grown diamonds offer an even more ethical alternative. The process of growing a diamond is significantly less destructive and sustainable, primarily due to not needing to mine and extract the stones from the earth.
Also as the lab is tightly controlled, the diamonds are free from the social issues around conflict zones and exploited labour associated with some mined diamonds.
We exclusively supply ethically sourced gold
With the support of the “Unearth Justice” campaign, run by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), we source gold from mines subscribed to the following rules:
- Respect for basic human rights outlined in international conventions and law
- Free, prior and informed consent of affected communities
- Safe working conditions
- Respect for workers’ rights and labour standards (including the eight core ILOconventions)
- Ensure that operations are not located in areas of armed or militarised conflicts
- Ensure that projects do not force communities off their lands
- Ensure there is no dumping of mine waste into the ocean, river, lakes or streams
- Ensure that projects are not located in protected areas, fragile ecosystems or other areas of high conservation or ecological value
- Ensure that projects do not generate sulphuric acid in perpetuity
- Cover all costs of closing down and cleaning up mine sites
- Fully disclose information about social environmental effects on projects
- Allow independent verification of the above
The above guiding principles will ensure that basic human rights, that we possibly take for granted, are upheld whilst also ensuring that our environment is protected. We fully support the aims behind the CAFOD campaign and we ask our partners to confirm their compliance with this code.
Speak with an expert
To find out more about our ethical origins or CVD lab grown diamonds, speak with an expert now.
Outstanding Craftmanship
United by shared passion for jewellery and an uncompromising standard for quality.
