Prior to recent initiatives, diamond mining operated with little regulation, presenting both opportunities and risks. While responsible mining supports local economies by providing jobs and infrastructure, the mismanagement of these resources can fuel conflicts and hinder development—a phenomenon often termed the 'paradox of plenty'. Unfortunately, the control of these resources by insurgent groups or illegitimate parties has historically led to funding violence and illegitimate wars, rather than benefiting communities.

The consequences of this situation gave rise to terms like 'blood diamonds' or 'conflict diamonds', referring to diamonds sourced from regions controlled by factions opposing legitimate governments. These diamonds funded military actions against recognised authorities, sparking global concern and leading to initiatives aimed at curbing their trade. Despite progress, there's still work to be done to ensure the ethical sourcing of diamonds and prevent the exploitation of these valuable resources for illicit purposes.

The Kimberley Process, established by the UN in 2003, aims to halt the trade of conflict diamonds by enforcing strict regulations and an international certification scheme for rough diamonds. Participating countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, India, UAE, and Australia, are required to adhere to these guidelines to prevent the importation of unethical diamonds.

Presently, the Kimberley Process, with 81 member countries, effectively prevents nearly all (99.8%) of the global trade of conflict diamonds. Consequently, diamonds certified through this process, such as those bought in the UK, are highly likely to be free from conflict.

While acknowledging the Kimberley Process's significant contribution to reducing the trade of conflict diamonds, it's important to note that it doesn't entirely resolve the issue. Continued efforts and commitment from international bodies are necessary to eradicate unethical diamond trading completely. At Mak & Co., we're cautious about sourcing diamonds, exclusively partnering with reputable suppliers and refraining from purchasing secondhand jewellery to ensure ethical origins and offer you peace of mind

The GIA, a prominent non-profit diamond grading organization, now offers diamond origin reports, an advancement that enhances traceability and transparency in the diamond industry. Although this service isn't available for all GIA diamonds, it's a significant step that may become more widespread among certified diamonds.

For a diamond to qualify, it must undergo GIA Rough Analysis Service before polishing. The GIA mandates strict rules, requiring the rough diamond to be submitted with a Kimberley Process certificate and an invoice from the mining company, packaged and sealed with appropriate paperwork. The diamond remains sealed and is opened solely in the presence of a GIA representative to prevent any mixing of stones from different sources. Once polished, the data from the diamond is matched with its rough state, verifying the polished diamond’s country of origin. Alongside the typical information like cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, the GIA Diamond Origin Report confirms the diamond’s geographic origin.

This report marks a significant stride in ethical diamond traceability, enabling the avoidance of diamonds originating from conflicted or problematic regions.

Lab-grown diamonds offer an ethical choice for engagement rings. These diamonds are nurtured in a laboratory environment that replicates the natural diamond formation process, akin to the Earth's mantle conditions over numerous years. They remain genuine diamonds, mirroring natural ones in every aspect. For many buyers, lab diamonds stand out as a cost-effective option, often priced 60% to 80% lower due to streamlined production methods.

Moreover, an increasing number of lab diamonds in the UK are being crafted using solar energy, marking a promising stride in the jewellery industry.

However, the emergence of lab diamonds, while ethical, raises concerns about the potential impact on communities reliant on natural diamond mining. It's essential to explore both the benefits and drawbacks of lab-grown diamonds to make an informed decision when choosing an engagement ring.

Establishing our workshops and showrooms in Hatton Garden was a deliberate choice, reflecting the area's significance as the core of the UK's jewellery industry. This renowned district boasts top-tier diamond and metal suppliers, skilled goldsmiths, and jewellery experts on an international scale. Being situated here enables us to prioritise a local supply chain, collaborating closely with trusted, transparent, and reputable suppliers.

While most of our diamonds are sourced from local Hatton Garden suppliers, we're flexible to acquire specific or niche diamonds from other regions if requested by our clients. Our robust partnerships with these local suppliers guarantee access to superior quality diamonds at competitive prices. Similarly, our precious metal suppliers, also located in Hatton Garden, contribute to our commitment to quality.

During the ring creation process at Mak & Co., the only step performed externally is casting. For this phase, we rely on a specialised team located nearby. Casting demands advanced equipment and specialised skills, which make in-house casting impractical. However, partnering with local casters who share our dedication to high standards ensures transparency, accountability, and consistent casting quality, something that distant suppliers might not provide. This proximity allows us to maintain trust and reliability in their craftsmanship, ensuring the best for our clientele time after time.

Naturally, diamonds and precious metals aren't indigenous to Hatton Garden; they're sourced from various natural deposits globally.

Our diamonds come from diverse geographical locations like Botswana, Namibia, Australia, and South Africa, among others. We opt not to source diamonds directly from mines due to several necessary steps before they enter the market.

Ethical diamonds are typically awarded Kimberley Process (KP) certificates when mined in conflict-free zones. These certificates are pivotal for the diamond's journey, as they're necessary for entry into participating countries and vital for procedures such as the GIA Origin Report. Although not all ethical diamonds have Origin Reports, they're an exciting new service by the GIA aiming to enhance the traceability of ethical diamonds.

Following mining and certification, rough diamonds are auctioned and later reach polishing companies. About 92% of diamonds undergo cutting and polishing in Surat, India, and other cutting hubs like Antwerp, Belgium. Reputable polishers demand KP certificates, ensuring unethical diamonds don't infiltrate the supply chain.

Once polished, diamonds are distributed to suppliers who sell them to jewellers. But here at Mak & Co., we consider certification crucial. Some jewellers buy uncertified diamonds, risking errors or over-graded stones to inflate prices. Our diamonds are certified by esteemed grading laboratories like the GIA, which conducts dual grading rounds for accuracy. As a nonprofit, the GIA maintains integrity by avoiding over-grading.

Technically, a diamond supplier owns the diamond at certification. We collaborate with trusted suppliers and communicate our specifications: particular shapes, carat sizes, and grades. After our gemmologists evaluate the diamond, we decide whether to proceed. We're selective, partnering exclusively with transparent, reputable suppliers. We avoid purchasing second-hand jewellery or loose diamonds due to uncertainty about their origins. Our priority is to trade with official, knowledgeable, and trustworthy suppliers, ensuring clarity and quality for our clients.

At Mak & Co., we offer the option to create any ring using Fair Trade gold sourced from certified mines, casting them at a trusted local company. However, it's important to note that platinum and rose gold rings can't be crafted using metal certified as Fair Trade. Clients can choose between Fair Trade yellow gold or white gold for their rings. Selecting Fair Trade metal doesn't necessarily imply that non-Fair Trade metal is unethical. It's akin to choosing lab-grown diamonds; some clients prefer the assurance of the metal's ethical origins. Mining, like diamonds, often contributes positively to local economies, offering jobs, infrastructure, education, and social development. Fair Trade gold, due to its rigorous certification process to ensure ethical origins, typically costs around 20% more than other metals.

The backbone of our metal sourcing strategy lies in our reliance on recycled materials supplied by local vendors. This sustainable approach ensures that almost all of our rings are crafted from repurposed metal, giving new life to previously used materials. The recycled metal we obtain from these local sources goes through a thorough refining process, guaranteeing its purity and suitability for creating timeless rings that endure well beyond a single generation. Although we receive inquiries from clients hoping to repurpose metal from heirloom and vintage rings, unfortunately, we must decline. The uncertainty surrounding the purity of metal from these sources could result in potential complications during crafting and weaken the final product. Refining recycled metal to meet our strict standards demands expertise, which is precisely why we partner with trusted and reputable experts in the field. Our enduring partnerships with these suppliers, established over several years, reflect the high-quality standards upheld in every ring we create.