In 2015, a number of the world’s leading luxury jewelry brands and gemstone mining companies came together to form the Colored Gemstone Working Group (CGWG): Tiffany & Co., Swarovski, Richemont, Muzo Companies, LVMH, Kering, and Gemfields. The group is facilitated by The Dragonfly Initiative, a sustainability management consulting business specializing in the jewelry industry. This unique alliance formed to enable the continuous improvement of businesses of all sizes and at all tiers in the gemstone supply chain and to build confidence with consumers about the provenance and responsible production of gemstones. The CGWG is collaborating with and where possible aligns its efforts with other industry organizations and initiatives and is actively seeking to build a community of practice for all in the industry.
From day one, the CGWG recognized the need to provide access to open-source information, practical guides and management tools on best practices in the industry to facilitate the continuous improvement of businesses of all sizes and at all tiers in the gemstone supply chain. To that end, the group has developed and continues to improve several instruments to reduce adverse impacts in the colored gemstone supply chain and to make those available to all. Because the colored gemstone supply chain is home to different types of businesses of varying sizes, the CGWG designed the Responsible Sourcing tools to accommodate that diversity. Tools were developed specifically for the mining sector that are suitable for artisanal miners, small-scale miners, semi-industrial and large-scale mines. Tools aimed at businesses involved in cutting, polishing, trading, manufacturing and retailing of colored gemstones are offered. These were designed for the smallest micro enterprises (less than 10 people), right up to large businesses (more than 250 employees). As part of the collaborative effort, the CGWG and CIBJO, the World Jewelry Confederation, have recently committed to work together to advance the ambition to help businesses of all sizes and activities in the industry implement best practices for responsible sourcing.
The objectives of the joint cooperation include the development of educational and promotional programs for the CIBJO Blue Book on responsible sourcing. Currently, the CGWG is finalizing an online portal that will provide open access to the resources developed by the group and with CIBJO. The platform will be launched in June 2019 with resources to be added on a regular basis.
CGWG intends to maintain a link with the Jewelry Industry Summit to enable broad dissemination of the resources and galvanize the generation of more practical tools, information, and resources for the industry.