As a pioneer in responsible business, we don't just adhere to industry standards, we lead with truth.
The journey of a Tiffany diamond
We believe that the beauty of a diamond is measured not only by its excellent appearance but also by the process by which it is processed. As part of our Diamond Making Journey, we strive to ensure responsibility at every step of the journey. From the moment a Tiffany diamond is mined, it undergoes a remarkable journey, from the expert hands of one master cutter to another until it is worthy of its Tiffany Blue Box® logo. In 2020, we became the first international fine jewelry manufacturer to disclose the countries where we source, registered, diamonds 0.18 carats and larger.
- Step 1: Source responsibly
Many Tiffany diamonds begin their journey as rough stones mined in countries such as Australia, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia and South Africa. These regions or countries are also known as the “hometown” of a diamond. All of our rough diamonds are sourced directly from a known mine or from a supplier with a limited number of known mines. We promote high standards in the mining industry to protect human rights and ecologically sensitive lands. We are also dedicated to improving the local economy; For example, in 2019, we provided more than $59 million in economic benefits to Botswana's economy.
- Step 2: Prepare
Tiffany's selection standards are so high that we can only accept 0.04% of the world's gem diamonds. If a diamond does not meet our rigorous quality standards, it will be rejected and sold back to the market where our competitors may accept it. This small quantity of rough diamonds that pass pre-qualification is shipped to our workshop in Antwerp, Belgium, which is also Tiffany's diamond headquarters. Here, our experts document their origin and classify them by size, color, purity and fluorescence. We then uniquely design each stone, prioritizing beauty above all else – even sacrificing carat weight to ensure all of Tiffany's diamonds are of the highest quality (and ensuring our engagement rings have a mesmerizing sparkle that lights up the room).
“Our customers deserve to know that a Tiffany diamond is sourced with the highest standards, not only for quality but also for social and environmental responsibility. We believe that diamond traceability is the best form of ensuring both of these things.”
—Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tiffany & Co.
- Step 3: Cut and polish
Next, our diamonds go to Tiffany workshops in Belgium, Botswana, Mauritius, Vietnam and Cambodia. Here, nearly 1,500 of the world's most talented artisans cut and polish diamonds with incredible precision and artistry, bringing outstanding beauty to each diamond. We're proud to hire locally, invest in communities, and provide living wages to employees in developing countries. For example, in June 2020, 94% of the workforce at our Hai Duong, Vietnam facility consisted of women hired from the local community. We also selectively source polished diamonds from trusted suppliers that comply with our traceability, quality, social and environmental standards.
- Step 4: Classification and quality control
Grading and quality testing are performed at our facility in New York, where our exacting standards are established. We rigorously test our diamonds at our network of Tiffany Gemstone Laboratories in the US, Cambodia and Vietnam.
“We carefully inspect each diamond to ensure that it meets Tiffany's high standards for cut, clarity, carat and color. If there is even the slightest defect, we will not accept the diamond. ”
—Hanna Jee, Diamond Analyst, Tiffany & Co.
- Step 5: Attach rings
Tiffany places the majority of its diamonds in factories in the United States. Here, designers adjust each prong and basket on the engagement ring by hand to maximize the beauty of each stone. We believe that our people are our greatest strength, so we ensure our workshops meet high standards of safety, cleanliness and an efficient, friendly working environment.
- Step 6: Time to put it in the “Green Box”
Finally, a Tiffany diamond is ready to be placed in the house's iconic Tiffany Blue box and bag. Introduced in 1886, this packaging has become iconic for Tiffany and for over a decade now it has been made with paper from sustainable sources, including recycled materials and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council®. That's just one of the many reasons why when it comes to engagement rings, people immediately think of Tiffany.
Why is a diamond's journey important?
At Tiffany, we directly mine the majority of our diamonds from known mines and sources. Through our Diamond Origin Initiative, we are able to provide provenance information—regional or country—for each new, individually registered diamond (0.18 carats or larger). Now, our Diamond Journey also allows us to share information about where these diamonds are crafted. The Tiffany Diamond's Journey is more than just a map of the diamond's location; it demonstrates the positive impact we make on local communities, human rights and the environment.