Interviews Archives • Responsible Jewellery Council

In Conversation With…Raj Mehta

Responsible Jewellery Council — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:17:37 +0000

Raj Mehta is Director at Rosy Blue NV.

Raj Mehta, a third-generation diamantaire with 30+ years in the diamond industry, transitioned from working at his family’s company, Diamond Cutters Antwerp, to leading the polished diamond division at Rosy Blue NV. Under his leadership, the division has become customer-focused and demand-driven, embracing sustainability and responsible business practices. Raj is actively engaged in industry initiatives like the SDG Taskforce by Responsible Jewellery Council and Watches and Jewellery Initiative 2030, benefiting the entire diamond jewellery sector.

As a founding member of the RJC, why do you think the work the RJC does is so important within the industry?

The creation of the RJC brought the entire supply chain together. The RJC helps members to understand challenges and find solutions that the members of the supply chain can implement to improve transparency and enhance confidence in the industry among consumers and other stakeholders.

Designing and implementing a pioneering certification system based on a robust and credible set of standards was a critical starting point. The continuing work of improving and enhancing the system is of utmost importance.

How has a sustainable business strategy transformed the value of your company? Rosy Blue view of sustainability in the industry?

Rosy Blue’s sustainable business strategy has led to transformations throughout our operations: changes in the way we process our products from rough to polished, the evolution in the type of clients we have, a new approach to inclusivity and recruitment of talent, a new mindfulness of things like our carbon footprint, and the establishment of our charitable foundation to give back to our communities, just to name a few examples.

This is in no small part to having created a purpose-built department for CSR in 2005. The Sustainability and Compliance department is currently headed by Valerie Michel who is assisted by 13 members of staff from across the entire Rosy Blue Alliance.

A sustainability strategy is critical for the industry. One bad apple can destroy the reputation of this vulnerable industry. Therefore, we must work together towards best practices and sustainability. We must also communicate the positive developments that the trade is accomplishing.

We are also joining other platforms, such as WJI 2030, to complement our initiatives. All of these put together bring to us ideas, awareness, and they help us in being up to date with our sustainability goals.

What’s next for Rosy Blue? Is there a 5-year-plan?

We are dedicated to our clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders, so we will follow a path that brings us added value and allows us to be sustainable, and responsible corporate citizens.

In the next 5 years we will be working on reducing our carbon footprint in line with our SBTs, as well as pursuing SBTNs nature and biodiversity targets. We will implement DEI policies and metrics across our operations and focus on water impacts arising from the sourcing of key raw materials.

What advice do you have for new RJC members?

It is a long term investment and not an expense, and it will only help you to implement systems that are required today, for tomorrow.

Have you noticed an increase in consumers being concerned and interested in the sustainability promises made by businesses?

We have not noticed it directly since we are a mid-stream player. However, since we are active on many platforms, taking part in different workshops and taskforces, we are conscious of the fact that the new generations are interested in the sustainability promise. That said, we must remain vigilant and ensure that consumers are aware of positive information in the industry. For example, natural diamonds bring a lot of advantages to the mining communities and have a great social impact.

The post In Conversation With…Raj Mehta appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With…Simone Amisano

Responsible Jewellery Council — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 11:43:29 +0000

Simone Amisano – CEO, ITALGOLD.

Simone Amisano is a dedicated professional in the world of jewellery, bringing a fresh perspective to a family tradition that spans three generations.

Simone’s love for jewellery began at a young age, as he grew up watching his family members craft exquisite pieces with precision and passion. Inspired by the artistry and craftsmanship that surrounded him, he decided to formally join the family business in 2018.

As the third generation in the company, Simone is deeply rooted in the traditions and values that have been passed down through the years. His dedication to sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible sourcing, reflects his commitment to building a future where beauty and responsibility coexist seamlessly.

Simone embraces the challenges of the ever-evolving jewellery industry, staying at the forefront of design trends, technology, and responsible business practices.

What drives you to implement sustainability initiatives within your business?

Sustainability is now integral to our business because it aligns with our values. We recognize the urgency of reducing our environmental impact, supporting ethical sourcing, and making a positive impact on the communities we engage with. It’s not merely a moral duty; it’s a firm commitment to shaping a better future for our customers, our team, and the planet.

How has sustainability transformed the industry?

Sustainability has instigated a significant shift in the jewellery industry. It has compelled companies to revaluate their supply chains, embrace responsible sourcing, and adopt eco-conscious practices. Consumers are becoming more conscientious, demanding ethically sourced products, which is pushing the industry toward sustainable practices. Notably, companies unable to adapt to these sustainability standards will find it challenging to remain competitive.

Have you noticed more demand for traceability from consumers?

Undoubtedly, there has been a notable surge in consumer demand for traceability in recent years. Today’s consumers insist on a comprehensive understanding of their jewellery’s origin, encompassing precious metal and gemstone sources, as well as manufacturing processes. Transparency and the assurance of ethical and sustainable values have transitioned from being optional to being imperative. Our collaborations with international maisons and esteemed jewelry chains underscore the critical significance of traceability. In line with our unwavering commitment to sustainability, we are gearing up to introduce blockchain technology in 2024 to meticulously trace every facet of our production journey.

Why RJC? What drove you to become a member?

Our decision to become a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) was a natural progression stemming from our unwavering commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. The RJC offers a structured framework for responsible business conduct within the jewellery supply chain, closely aligned with our deeply rooted values. Joining the RJC formalized our commitment to ethics and sustainability and fortified our customer relationships. Many of our customers also share our values and dedication to responsible practices, creating a cohesive community dedicated to elevating the standards of the jewellery industry.

Do you have any upcoming projects or special initiatives that we should keep an eye out for?

Our journey of innovation and sustainability advancement remains ongoing. Exciting projects are on the horizon, including collaborations with local communities to ensure responsible sourcing and the enhancement of our recycling programs. We are committed to a multifaceted approach, including the pursuit of total solar energy utilization, pollution reduction, and the preservation of clean water.

What changes do you think are coming to the jewellery industry? Do you have any predictions for the next 5 to 10 years?

Significant transformations are on the horizon for the jewellery industry in the next 5 to 10 years. Sustainable and ethical practices will become the industry norm, driven by consumer demand and heightened awareness. Leading-edge technologies like blockchain will enhance traceability, ensuring customers have access to the complete journey of their jewellery, from diamond sourcing to production locations. This heightened transparency will instill greater trust in brands committed to sustainability, surpassing conventional unbranded jewellery options and propelling sustainability-focused fine jewellery brands into prominence.

The post In Conversation With…Simone Amisano appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With…Alexander Gul

Responsible Jewellery Council — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:44:38 +0000

Alexander Gul- COO- Aharon Gul

What is Aharon Gul’s view on sustainability in the industry?

A.Gul’s perspective on sustainability within the diamond industry strongly emphasizes that embracing sustainability isn’t a luxury; it’s the only way forward to conduct business effectively. As an industry leader in Germany, it is our duty to drive these necessary changes. Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift that secures our future viability. Even if it means sacrificing short-term profits, failing to adhere to these standards leaves no room for a company’s long-term existence and relevance in a conscientious and sustainability-driven marketplace.

What were the main reasons for Aharon Gul joining the RJC?

Eitan Gul’s (My father and our CEO) decision to join the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) in 2013 was a pioneering move, making us the first German diamond company to do so. It was crucial to us as it reflected our already high standards of business conduct. This certification not only formalized our commitment to ethics and sustainability but also helped us strengthen customer relationships, as many of them also became RJC members, sharing our values and commitment to responsible practices.

Do you see your customers asking more questions on sustainability credibility?

Absolutely, our discerning customers, particularly in Germany, now place sustainability credibility at the forefront of their concerns. It’s not just about carat, cut, and price anymore; they’re keenly interested in the responsible sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmental impact associated with the diamonds they purchase.

In recent times, traceability has emerged as a hot topic, but what matters most to our customers is the assurance that the diamonds we provide them originate from responsible sources. Diamonds, while just one element in the assembled jewelry, play a crucial role in the broader sustainability narrative. They must harmonize with other materials to ensure that the final jewelry piece, from ‘dirt to finger,’ embodies sustainability at every stage.

As a leading wholesaler, recognizing and responding to this shift is not merely a choice; it’s an imperative. It’s our responsibility to meet these evolving expectations, helping our customers create and wear jewelry that reflects their values and supports a more sustainable future.

What is Aharon Gul’s next step on its sustainability journey?

We are continually evolving on this relentless journey, demanding our full-time dedication. Our transition goes beyond the concept of carbon neutrality, often associated with ‘greenwashing,’ as we are now directing our efforts towards establishing both near and long-term targets in line with SBTI standards.

This year, we take pride in our participation in the UN Global Compact and our commitment as signatories to WEPs (Women’s Empowerment Principles). Currently, our focus revolves around several initiatives designed to keep us at the forefront of responsible practices. These initiatives encompass adopting an ESG framework and implementing the WEPs Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP) program to meticulously assess and enhance our policies and practices regarding gender-responsive procurement.

The post In Conversation With…Alexander Gul appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With…Ashish Rawat

Isabella Wild — Mon, 29 May 2023 06:28:35 +0000

What were the main reasons for Royal Touch wanting to join the RJC?

Royal Touch LLC is a leading manufacturer of fine gemstones and jewelry. We are widely known to be industry leaders in our specific sector and are highly respected among its peers for our personal and business ethics and dedication to a sustainable future. Sustainability starts with us as individuals, for our family, our people, our business, our customers and ultimately our environment and the way we conduct our business. Doing well by doing good. So no “green washing” its really within our DNA of the company and the team.Therefore, to highlight our commitment and legitimacy with current and future customers, we joined the RJC given the fact they are well recognized by the industry and beyond. There are not that many colored gemstone companies member and certified by RJC so we are happy to be at the forefront.

How is Royal Touch implementing sustainability into the heart of their business strategy?

We have divided our sustainability efforts in three categories according to the Three P’s, basically adhering though to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. 1. People: Involve and engage anyone who is interacting with us directly or indirectly in our entire supply chain including our own staff, our clients and vendors. That includes matters like equal rights and diversity in for instance gender and empowering people. Of course safety and security matters are important for our staff as well. We are highly involved in charity in India and we are expanding those efforts to Tanzania as well. 2. Planet: Responsible for the environment by using renewable energy as much as possible, striving to be a Carbon Neutral group by 2030, looking at our footprint and educate our people on these matters as well. 3. Product: Making sure that our products are sourced and manufactured according to local and international laws and standards and conducting business in a legitimate and responsible way. So making sure that for instance no child labour is involved, no smuggling, no conflict minerals, and also looking for beneficiaries of local communities.

Have you got any exciting projects or upcoming work you would like to highlight?

Our continued efforts to further consolidate our sustainability goals also include giving it back to the society. We work with several institutions in India and Africa towards betterment of education and life for the locals. A few examples to mention are:

1. Free Meals to underprivileged

2. Books for Libraries

3. Sponsoring Students

4. Women Empowerment

We are looking at a new charity project we have thought about in Tanzania, so that is something exciting to look forward too. On the women empowerment initiatives we are soon planning to launch a product line with recyclable gold and diamonds by women working on this from start to finish. For women by women so to say.

What’s next for Royal Touch?

We want to position and strengthen ourselves as global leaders in the world of gemstones and jewelry creating benchmarks for our peers to follow by keeping strict goals. We follow an inclusive agenda involving all stakeholders. In line with global efforts on managing the impact of climate change as much as humanity can, we want to contribute our fair share. So becoming Carbon Neutral as a group step by step with measured actions in the coming years is a concrete plan. It will take time though, it’s a process, a path we will walk together, we need to start somewhere.

Another important part of our sustainability strategy is gender diversity, actually in line with an important part of RJC’s work as well. We already have for instance a very large population of women amongst our teams worldwide and we want to emphasize and recognize the importance of that strategy and especially advocate equal pay, career development, promotions, education etc.

Plus make these topics part of our regular team and management meetings as well as with our customers and vendors to create a ripple effect in the sector. We also aim to step up on the network and events of organizations like the RJC and CIBJO for instance. Looking forward to meet the new executive director of RJC, Melanie C. Grant, soon as well.

Last but not least we are very busy with the RJC certification process, that is work at hand and we have engaged RSM Astute Consulting company in India to help us on the process as such. They have a lot of experience with RJC certification and we are convinced we will have a smooth certification as the guidelines and workbooks of RJC are very clear. Internally we have LuxuryFintech helping us out as well. So we really put our money were our mouth is.

The post In Conversation With…Ashish Rawat appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With… Liza Blumental

Responsible Jewellery Council — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:39:31 +0000

What does RJC Certification mean for you?

RJC certification not only bestowed upon our Company, Mitchell K., an honor and a distinction shared by few, but also served as a concrete affirmation of our Company values and core philosophy. The rigors of the certification process forced us to scrutinize the entirely of our business practices, both internal and external, and those of our suppliers and business partners to ensure transparency and a shared commitment to do what’s right. RJC Certification ensures that we do not simply accept the status quo but rather commit to always doing better. That commitment to excellence in our craft is what sets us apart.

How important do you feel sustainability and responsible business practices are to the consumer?

We live in a world of interconnectedness and global dependence no longer hampered by geography nor distance. Images, headlines, stories and movements travel at light speed across continents that now no bounds. Consumers, motivated and strengthened by online communities are empowered to take-action; said actions invariably include favoring brands which act responsibly and have a social conscience towards people and our planet. Therefore, as global citizens, in my opinion, consumers in this fully digital age, will continue to seek out companies whose sustainability and responsible business practices best align wither their own personal philosophies.

As an SME, what you would describe some of the biggest challenges and benefits in achieving RJC Certification?

The RJC Certification process for an SME is both challenging and plentifully rewarding at the same time. The biggest challenge facing an SME in this process is being held to the same exact standard as a large multinational conglomerate made up of numerous divisions and departments tasked with small pieces of the “puzzle” backed by unbridled resources. A SME, on the other hand, with more limited resources, (both fiscal and personnel), must quickly and efficiently learn to be more resourceful where team members are not afraid to take on new or different roles, accept wearing multiple hats, and are dedicated to carrying out the same mission. Despite the obvious challenges, the benefits of achieving Certification far outweigh any momentary challenges faced in its process. Among said benefits, is our ability as a SME to state with confidence that we have been audited by an independent third party who has conferred upon us and our practices a seal of approval that we meet and surpass the rigorous standards set for any Jewelry company small or large. Said accomplishment affords our retail partners, our suppliers, and ultimately our consumers, confidence and trust in all we do.

What’s next for Mitchell K?

From its inception, we have strived to create a company and brand that one would be proud to wear and gift. Our collections focus on highly personalized jewelry with each piece as unique as its creator. RJC certification is by no means an end but rather a beginning of a continuous journey for betterment and continuous evolution. In such, we will continue in our efforts to give back to our local and state communities. We will continue to work with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization, dedicated to reforestation as well as providing charitable contributions to our local hospice community. Our collections are not simply fine personalized jewelry, but a celebration of love, life and family. It’s the stories and the people behind every one of our products that motivates us to always do better.

The post In Conversation With… Liza Blumental appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With… DR. SAID DERAZ

Responsible Jewellery Council — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:29:23 +0000

Dr. Said Deraz – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – Gold Coast Refinery

What inspired Gold Coast Refinery to join RJC?

We are very proud of our certification. Gold Coast Refinery (GCR) believes that a successful refining business must be conducted in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, not just in an economically viable way. This will also help GCR to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business operations in line with its vision of promoting sustainable gold supply chains. As well as demonstrating commitment to the protection of human rights, labour rights, the prevention of environmental pollution, traceability and transparency.

As the first certified gold refinery in Ghana, what were the biggest challenges and opportunities you faced in achieving certification?

Achieving RJC Code of Practices certification is a continuous improvement process, that requires time and investment. All the members of the CGR team have worked tirelessly to prepare for the rigorous third-party audit. We have learnt a lot about our own operations, improved some of our processes and developed and implemented new ones. We have also had strong engagement with our business partners and stakeholders.

How do you see the future of sustainability within the precious metals industry in Ghana?

Ghana is a country known for its gold, timber and cocoa production. It is the number 1 gold producer in Africa, and number 6 worldwide. The challenges have always been adding value to the raw materials prior to exporting, curbing smuggling out of the country.. The gold is largely produced by Artisanal Small -scale Miners, who often use mercury which is highly detrimental to their health and the environment.

Regardless, we believe Ghana has an enormous potential and the ability to meet its ambitious domestic gold purchase programme and the development of responsible supply chains of gold from artisanal and small scale mines. GCR’s vision is to contribute positively to the country’s programmes by adding value to precious metals.

What do the next 3 years look like for Gold Coast Refinery?

Looking ahead, we envisage an expansion of the responsible sourcing program and sustainable business practices including environmental, social and governance components across our precious metal value chain in Africa.

We will accelerate our engagement upstream with artisanal and small scale miners we source from to develop a robust, responsible and traceable supply chain that has a positive impact on the mining communities.

We are planning the introduction of decarbonisation technology to reduce the carbon footprint in small scale mining in line with international standards.

GCR is exploring the increase of its line of product to the addition of minting of medallions and Jewelry production, one of such examples was the production of Commemorative Coins of the King of Ashanti Region, HRM Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene the /the Ashanti region in South Ghana is known as the “Kingdom of gold”.

We also intend to partner with key stakeholders in Ghana such as the School of Mines to provide practical training for students, and the chamber of mines to ensure the enhancement of standards across the country.

The post In Conversation With… DR. SAID DERAZ appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With… Daniela Colaiacovo

Responsible Jewellery Council — Mon, 09 May 2022 11:24:09 +0000

Daniela Colaiacovo – CEO and Co-Founder – MAKAL

What does being RJC certified mean to you?

To become certified, we had to complete a rigorous examination of all aspects of MAKAL’s operations: right from the first extraction and sourcing of each material, to the processes in the manufacturing studio in Italy and the final packaging.

The certification extends to other business areas including Human Rights, Responsible Supply Chain and Labour Rights, as well as how MAKAL creates Social Impact in communities, especially where we source our materials.

The RJC certification confirms MAKAL’s dedication to responsible sourcing and sustainable business practices, including our operations and our core strategy. But we are on a journey of continuous improvement, so being certified doesn’t mean we stop trying.

For us, as a small, young brand, being RJC-certified feels like a great accomplishment and a symbol of a lot of hard work and belief. I am super-proud that we have received this prestigious validation for our genuine commitment to responsible practices.

Can you give us some more details on your work with women and ASM?

Mining is not an easy industry for woman to work in, especially in developing countries. However, if you strongly believe in what you are doing, and you are determined to make positive changes and innovate, nothing is impossible. There are actually lots of women in the industry, albeit they can sometimes be hidden. They are extremely capable and eager to learn. But they need to be supported and to be recognised for the good work they are doing.

MAKAL has a commitment to supporting women in mining. In the last few years, we invested in two incredible projects in East Africa. In the first, we developed a programme to help women miners in eight artisanal small-scale mining groups to reduce their exposure to harmful mercury in the extraction process. This programme is part of MAKAL’s wider efforts to improve the safety and cleanliness of mine site operations through capacity-building and investment.

In the second initiative, we aimed to develop a training and mentoring programme to support a young mining engineer to learn more about the industry and how to mine in a responsible way. With our support and the support of a local NGO, she has gained a deeper understanding of the ASM sector in East Africa. Not only she has been able to visit mine sites and personally interact with miners, but she also had opportunities to reflect on the needs of the community. Thanks to our programme, she is currently working full time with the NGO as a junior mining engineer.

As an SME, what have been some of the challenges and highlights of your certification journey?

Going through a certification process required time, effort and investment, which for a small company are all big challenges. However, once the process started and the new policies and procedures were in place, not only did they increase the effectiveness of MAKAL’s due diligence, but they also increased the efficiency of MAKAL’s operations. The certification crystallised a methodology that has resulted in a network of trusted suppliers. This gives our customers confidence in what they are buying, added to the excitement and pleasure they get from owning their new pieces.

What does the next three years look like for MAKAL?

As with many businesses, we have had to work even harder and be even more creative during the pandemic. It has never been plain sailing. But we made time to think about new ways to expand the business, for example, enhancing our e-commerce platform, making more of our social media presence and finding other ways of communicating with our customers.

Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our ethical sourcing, by developing a wider network of responsible nuggets, gold and gemstone suppliers. I would like to deepen the sustainability and ethical basis of every link in our supply chain, even, for example, in terms of delivery methods.

We are also looking at new collaborations with other brands that share our values. And we continue to expand and explore our collection by working with young female designers, as well bringing in novel materials, like the yarn from recycled plastic bottles we introduced last year. In three years’ time I would like to be known around the world for being the gold nugget brand – the brand that made these amazing natural and organic rarities internationally renowned and widely admired, while maintaining the highest ethical and sustainable standards.

The post In Conversation With… Daniela Colaiacovo appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In Conversation With… Hayley Henning

Responsible Jewellery Council — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:11:18 +0000

Hayley Henning – CCO – Greenland Ruby.

You have recently become certified against RJC’s COP – why was it important for you as a company to achieve this milestone?

For Greenland Ruby, it’s imperative that we stay true to our business principles. By achieving the RJC certification, we can prove that we do so, which is very important to us. The independent verification of our claims, especially by a reputable organisation like the RJC, assures us of our judgement. We expect the certification to have great value in our ability to cooperate with our stakeholders and customers, both locally and internationally.

How do you see sustainability evolving in the coloured gems market?

Greenland Ruby is the first colored gemstone mining operation that has become certified by the RJC, for which we are extremely proud. Despite the difficulties in this process, Greenland Ruby was able to comply with these standards quite efficiently, mainly due to our commitment to a responsible mining operation since the beginning.

Our company hopes to be able to set an example and lead the way for other miners and dealers to follow suit. It goes without saying that the colored gemstone market, like all other raw materials, is being scrutinized and consumers are demanding supply chain transparency when it comes to colored gemstone sourcing. Within a short time, the gemstone industry will need to respond to these requirements, or at least do as best they can, to be able to provide the consumer with the confidence they require. Consumers will rely on brands and manufacturers to have done their due diligence, and source their gems from a reputable source and chain of custody.

Colored gemstones are steeped in mystery – it is after all what makes them so intriguing, exciting and exotic. As an industry we will need to figure out how to remove the mystery, while keeping the mystique!

Also, we feel that coloured gemstone desirability these days is more than about aesthetics – it can also represent a positive footprint on the communities from which they originate. As such, all parts of the trade will have to adapt to this new kind of business, and the opportunities that such resources represent and how companies manifest themselves throughout these communities. It is not enough to have pure philanthropy anymore, but rather to invest in local sustainable community development. This in turn will add enormous value to coloured gemstones and their markets.

Could you tell us some more about The PinkPolar Bear Foundation and how it is generating impact?

The PinkPolarbear Foundation is Greenland Ruby’s CSR arm and was initiated by the company to support the communities in which we mine our gems. Every gem that Greenland Ruby sells contributes to the Foundation, which is concerned with International Polar Research into the effects of Climate Change and those affected by associated cultural changes. To date the Foundation has contributed to a sewing workshop near Aappaluttoq, as well as sponsoring 2 PHD Students from the University of Greenland, helping them fund part of their projects. It’s these efforts, no matter how small, that impact communities at the source of where gems are mined.

What’s next for Greenland Ruby?

To ensure our value chain even further by certifying our other offices/operations against the RJC’s COP (Paris, Bangkok, New York.)
To develop the sustainability of our community through partnerships for quality education, clean and affordable energy, and new business opportunities, creating shared value for all. This will be done by the continuation of the great work of our employees and partners, as well as creating new partnerships for change locally and internationally.
Striving to achieve and uphold the 17 SDG’s as set out by the United Nations.
Continuing to build the PinkPolarbear Foundation, with increased contributions and additional partnerships.

We welcome new ideas and input, so please do not hesitate to contact us, so we can go through this journey together. Send us an email at info@greenlandruby.gl

Responses by CCO, Hayley Henning and Compliance Officer, Thorbjørn Friis

The post In Conversation With… Hayley Henning appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.

In conversation with… Jean-Christophe Babin

Responsible Jewellery Council — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:30:54 +0000

Jean-Christophe Babin – CEO – Bulgari

What is Bulgari's view on sustainability in the industry?

The link between luxury and sustainability has already begun a few years ago. There are many companies in different sectors that have understood how seizing the opportunity to embrace this value has positive repercussions for the planet and for sales. The pandemic has only accelerated paths in this direction and the target audience of many brands, the Z Generation for example that will be most influential in the future, reward brands that have a positive impact on the environment and society. On the contrary, it is evident that they are beginning to distance themselves from those who do not have a position on these issues. Therefore what was once unthinkable is now essential.

This is an important milestone, what is Bulgari's view on sustainability?

For Bvlgari, sustainable development and social responsibility translate into a constant commitment, aimed at improving the quality of life of the society in which we live through a proactive approach to ethical behavior, social and economic development and environmental principles, capable of involve both company employees and customers, the production chain and the community in general. Bvlgari is constantly committed to promoting correct ethical, social and environmental behavior through the continuous improvement of its activities.

Why are you as a CEO so driven toward sustainability?

When I started my career in Bulgari as CEO I was impressed and attracted by the manufacturing. The clever hands behind wonderful creations. Today I feel like saying that Bello e Benfatto is no longer enough. It is a start, but to arrive at what is beautiful and good, for people and for the planet. It is a challenge and its beauty lies in being able to talk about the brand and creations in a different way, showing corners never explored and reaching the customer through new channels. Today we feel closer than ever to the wishes of the end customer. We listen to him more carefully and are proud to be able to share what really interests him.

Do you also see your customers asking more questions on sustainability credibility?

Luxury in general has included the growing consumer demand for more sustainable luxury goods. Surely what a customer is looking for today comes from the desire for more durable and quality products. We no longer speak only of fashion and trends but of a real structural revolution.

What is Bulgari's next step on its sustainability journey?

In December 2020, pursuing even more ambitious targets, LVMH launched the new LIFE 360 program, a ten-year environmental performance roadmap for the LVMH Group setting three key deadlines – 2023, 2026 and 2030. LIFE 360 is focused on 4 strategic priorities: Creative Circularity, Transparency, Biodiversity and Climate. The program will guide Bulgari through constant improvements of its environmental performances for the creation of products in harmony with nature. More specifically Bulgari will be particularly focused on different activities starting from the Supply Chain Due Diligence on gold, diamonds and colored gemstones. We are planning to accelerate the achievement of key certifications (e.g. Responsible Jewellery Council Chain of Custody and Code of Practices; Leather Working Group; ISO 14001) across our value chain. We will focus on biodiversity through regenerative agriculture projects (e.g. Flower of Gems of India) and reforestation projects (e.g. support to Forestami in Milan area). We’ll invest in innovative technologies for the continuous improvement of environmental performances with a focus on our Stores. Furthermore, we are planning to implement Life Cycle Assessment analysis of our products and promote Circular Economy projects.

The post In conversation with… Jean-Christophe Babin appeared first on Responsible Jewellery Council.