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Modern customers are more socially and environmentally conscious than ever before and when some of them make the decision to get down on one knee and propose – or shop for an engagement ring together – they want the power of love, respect and joy woven into every part of the marriage celebration and journey – and that includes an exquisite engagement ring that they can be proud of.
Unfortunately, the natural diamond business can be filled with exploitation, child labour and potentially linked to armed conflict, authoritarian regimes and civil war; issues that the 2006 box office hit Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio brought to the forefront (and making “blood diamond” part of everyday lexicon). Understanding the growing need for transparency, from the outset Taylor & Hart, an award-winning London-based jewelry company, had built ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency into their business model. Customers needn’t worry about conflict diamonds and forced labour when they engage Taylor & Hart to customise a ring; they can rest assured that these issues are screened so all they need to do is focus on the finer details around popping the big question and bringing their fullest selves into the marriage process.
Taylor & Hart custom-design and manufacture engagement rings and fine jewelry with responsibly sourced, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graded diamonds and gemstones. Working with reputable suppliers from countries who work in compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, an international certification scheme created to stop the flow of conflict diamonds, Taylor & Hart diamonds are from legitimate sources and not from organisations financing authoritarian regimes or rebel militia groups.
“We strive to inform and educate our customers by sharing where our diamonds come from and what the supply chain looks like.”
– Nikolay Piriankov, CEO at Taylor & Hart
The company is the first to put their hand up and acknowledge that the Kimberley Process isn’t perfect – no certification process is – so the Taylor & Hart’s ‘sustainability roadmap’ also includes other ethical offerings such as synthetically-made diamonds commonly known as lab-grown diamonds manufactured with 100% renewable energy, fairmined diamonds, CanadaMark diamonds (which are mined in Canada and receive an additional certificate that assures its integrity) and Diamond Time Lapse diamonds that come with a detailed supply chain report. The company also offers Fairtrade and recycled gold and platinum metals to customers.
In an attempt to close the loopholes in the Kimberley Process and in line with their commitment to continuous improvement, Taylor & Hart are also working with Everledger to transform diamond tracking by using Blockchain technology to securely track and store precise information on diamond origin, trade and ownership. “We acknowledge that the above is not enough and we’re continuously working to be as transparent as possible about the flaws of diamond and metals sourcing,” says Nikolay.
Taylor & Hart are also developing an internal SIDE (sustainability, inclusivity, diversity and equality) strategy as a way of improving systems and processes, company culture and ensure their employees are well looked after.
Taylor & Hart are bespoke jewellers specialising in custom-designs and they’ll collaborate with you to bring your dream ring to life. Operating worldwide through an e-commerce retail model, the business also offers virtual consultations and expert advice so you never have to leave the comfort and COVID-safe surroundings of your own home. Innovations in 3D design also make it possible for their creative and experienced team of jewelry designers to quickly design and craft new rings, taking as little as four weeks to complete the perfect piece.
They also have their own in-house gemstone buyer Maneesha working in the “Jewel Box” of the Indian Ocean– Sri Lanka. She handpicks each gemstone, and having disrupted the male-dominated gemstone market in Sri Lanka, Maneesha is also one of the only female gemstone dealers in the country, paving the way for other women to carve out careers in the industry.
A tech-enabled jewelry brand offering customers value (collection engagement rings start at around $970, set with a 0.3ct emerald-cut center diamond and a similar-sized bespoke engagement rings starts at $1,500), a “price match promise”, personalisation and a seamless, convenient shopping experience complete with 90-day returns policy, lifetime warranty, worldwide shipping (orders are fully insured and tracked using RoyalMail) and complimentary annual cleaning service, this is a bespoke jewelry business that prioritises the needs of the time-poor conscious consumer. Plus, all rings are set and hand finished checked by Taylor & Hart’s team of experienced jewelers in their state-of-the-art London workshop to ensure it meets its high standards of quality.
So if you’re looking to craft a stunning ethical engagement ring or wedding band that is as unique, transparent and sustainable as the love you share with your significant other, the expert jewelers at Taylor & Hart will help you create a ring that will help you express exactly that.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Taylor & Hart. Specific product information is provided and confirmed with the company. All images supplied. For more information about our policies, click here.
