Podcast: Spotlight on Sustainability

Social responsibility, transparency and traceability are hot topics in the industry, as consumers expect more from the companies from which they purchase. In the latest episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast, Senior News Reporter Leah Meirovich and News Editor Joshua Freedman discuss an upcoming Rapaport supplement that addresses these sustainability issues.

They discuss how different companies and segments of the industry understand the term “sustainability,” how businesses can prove their credentials, and the best way to speak to customers about these matters. All of these subjects feature in the supplement, which is sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and will be available on Rapaport.com and in print next week.

The two also share their thoughts on recycled jewelry — pieces made with e-waste, dental fillings and other “trash” items. They speak about Boucheron’s new collection featuring Cofalit, a stone the jeweler made from vitrified asbestos, and whether it is appealing. Here’s a hint: They don’t agree.

Also under discussion in the supplement, entitled Spotlight on Sustainability, are the current state of “green” claims, the need for more oversight from the government and industry bodies on what assertions are legitimate, and how far a company should go to back them up.