Tiffany diamonds are sourced with care and consideration. We believe the diamond sector can contribute positive value to communities it operates within—from the moment diamonds are unearthed as rough stones and throughout their journey to polished gemstones.

We uphold high standards in quality and for social and environmental practices. For instance, we have long pushed to expand the Kimberley Process definition of “conflict free” diamonds to protect human rights and the environment. When sourcing our diamonds, we go above and beyond the Kimberley Process by asking more of our suppliers, including through our Diamond Source Warranty Protocol.

We also maintain our high standards through leading approaches to diamond traceability. We source the majority of our rough diamonds from five countries—Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia and South Africa—and in Fiscal Year 2018, we were able to trace 100%* of our rough diamonds to known mines or responsible suppliers with a limited number of known mines. In 2019, we enhanced our approach to transparency through our Diamond Source Initiative, which shares with our customers the provenance—region or countries of origin—of all newly sourced, individually registered diamonds (0.18 carats and larger). Over the past 15 years, we have implemented a strategy that gives us a strong chain-of-custody process for our diamonds, that in part is because we have direct oversight of our own diamond cutting and polishing workshops, giving us control over the sourcing and conditions.

We believe our responsible sourcing practices can help promote the protection of human rights and the environment as well as create economic opportunity for communities along the diamond supply chain.

_{*See the Report of Independent Accountants}

In communities around the world, mining and trading colored gemstones is a cultural tradition and source of livelihoods passed down for generations. Approximately 80% of the world’s colored gemstones come from small-scale, artisanal mines spanning more than 40 countries; and the industry is highly complex, making it difficult to trace a gem’s origins.

We use strict protocols for sourcing the approximately 70 varieties we use in our jewelry; and we are helping set industry standards that account for the realities of the supply chain, while seeking to increase transparency and traceability. In some countries, where we have concerns about transparency and human rights, we have made the decision not to source prized stones, including lapis from Afghanistan and rubies from Myanmar.

We also collaborate to create standards and share best practices to promote responsible gemstone supply chains. Through industry partnerships and philanthropy, Tiffany and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation support a range of stakeholders, from miners and traders to cutters and polishers, to help the colored gemstone sector support sustainable livelihoods in the many places people depend on it. 

While Tiffany & Co. does not own or operate any mines, most of our products rely on mined material. We believe the manner in which precious metals and gemstones are extracted is of the utmost importance. We uphold the highest standards for sourcing across our mining supply chain, and we work globally to improve the practices of both large- and small-scale mining operations.

As a company, we have built longstanding relationships with our suppliers, helping ensure we source materials from those who align with our values and policies. We acquire most of our metals directly from mines we know and from recycled sources. We also source the majority of our diamonds as rough diamonds, directly from mines or from suppliers with a limited number of known mines.

To promote change beyond our own operations, we work with our suppliers, employees, the industry at large, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to create positive change and lend our expertise through multistakeholder initiatives to encourage more responsible mining. We helped launch the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) in 2006, were a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and were the first jeweler to apply Earthworks’ No Dirty Gold Golden Rules beginning in 2005. Complementing the practices in our own supply chain, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation has also provided approximately $6 million in grants to organizations helping to establish standards and credible certification systems to advance responsible practices in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector for gold, diamonds and colored gemstones.

We strive to respect and protect the rights of all people whose lives are impacted by our business, from the miners who provide our raw materials to the workers who craft our jewelry. Within our Company, we have developed a robust approach to protecting human rights through responsible sourcing including the Tiffany & Co. Supplier Code of Conduct, our conflict minerals program and more. Beyond our business, collaboration is one of our most effective tools in creating a more responsible mining industry. For example, we helped to launch the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) in 2006 and continue to push the diamond industry to expand the Kimberley Process definition of “conflict free” to better safeguard human rights. As a result of our efforts, we are honored to be the only jewelry company to have earned a “Strong” ranking for our responsible sourcing practices by Human Rights Watch in its 2018 “Hidden Cost of Jewelry” report.