When you’re choosing an engagement ring or wedding band, the sparkle of the diamond is only part of the story. Behind every piece of fine jewellery lies a complex supply chain, and increasingly, consumers want assurance that their purchase reflects their values. The Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices establishes the benchmark for ethical, social, and environmental standards across the global jewellery industry, from mine to showroom.

At A Star Diamonds, our commitment to ethically sourced natural diamonds and 100% conflict-free lab-grown options isn’t just a selling point, it’s central to how we operate as a family-run Hatton Garden jeweller. Understanding what the RJC Code of Practices entails helps you make informed decisions about where your jewellery comes from and who stands behind it.

This guide breaks down the RJC’s certification requirements, compliance framework, and what these standards mean in practice for jewellers and the couples they serve.

What the RJC Code of Practices is

The Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices (RJC COP) is a comprehensive standards framework that defines responsible business conduct throughout the jewellery supply chain. Established in 2005 and regularly updated, this code sets out specific requirements for ethical, social, and environmental practices that jewellery businesses must meet to earn and maintain certification. You can think of it as the jewellery industry’s blueprint for accountability, covering everything from labour rights and anti-corruption measures to environmental impact and product disclosure.

The Framework Structure

The COP operates through a verification system where independent third-party auditors assess whether your business meets the required standards. It’s divided into distinct provisions that address human rights, environmental management, and business integrity. Each provision contains specific benchmarks your organisation must demonstrate, whether you’re a diamond miner, manufacturer, wholesaler, or retail jeweller. This structured approach ensures consistency across the entire supply chain.

The RJC doesn’t just set aspirational goals; it establishes measurable requirements that auditors verify against documented evidence.

Who the Code Applies To

Membership in the RJC and commitment to the Code spans the full jewellery pipeline, from extraction sites to the retail floor where you purchase your ring. Mining companies, refiners, manufacturers, diamond traders, and jewellery retailers can all pursue RJC certification under this framework. When you see a jeweller displaying RJC membership, you know they’ve committed to these standards. At A Star Diamonds, our adherence to these principles aligns with our sourcing of ethically responsible diamonds and our transparent approach to bespoke jewellery creation.

Why the RJC COP matters in the jewellery supply chain

The jewellery industry faces unique challenges when it comes to ethical accountability because a single ring can pass through dozens of hands across multiple continents before reaching your finger. Without standardised practices, tracing the origin and journey of materials becomes nearly impossible. The Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices addresses this complexity by creating a unified framework that all participants can adopt and verify.

Building Trust Through Transparency

When you purchase an engagement ring, you’re not just investing in precious materials, you’re placing your trust in the entire supply chain behind it. The RJC COP matters because it transforms vague ethical claims into verifiable commitments.

Certification through the RJC COP means independent auditors have examined business practices against specific criteria, not just accepted self-reported claims.

You can verify whether your jeweller operates under certified standards rather than relying solely on marketing promises. This certification process creates accountability at every stage, from the mine worker’s conditions to the environmental impact of refining processes. For jewellers like A Star Diamonds, adhering to these standards reinforces our commitment to the ethically sourced diamonds we offer you throughout your bespoke design journey.

What the COP covers and what compliance looks like

The Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices divides its requirements into 37 distinct provisions organised across broader themes. These provisions address human rights and social performance, environmental responsibility, product disclosure, and anti-corruption measures. You’ll find specific requirements covering labour practices, health and safety standards, mining impacts, chemical management, and supply chain due diligence. Each provision sets out clear expectations that your business must document and demonstrate through operational evidence.

Core Areas of Focus

The code prioritises direct harm prevention throughout your operations. Labour provisions require fair wages, safe working conditions, and prohibition of child or forced labour. Environmental provisions mandate responsible resource management, including water use, emissions control, and land rehabilitation where applicable. Product-related provisions ensure you accurately disclose the origin and characteristics of materials. These aren’t aspirational guidelines; they’re mandatory requirements that auditors verify against your actual practices.

Compliance means having documented policies, trained staff, and verifiable records that demonstrate adherence to each applicable provision.

Demonstrating Compliance

Meeting compliance requires establishing written policies and procedures that address each relevant provision. Your business needs documented evidence showing implementation, such as training records, audit trails, and supplier agreements. Compliance looks like having systems in place rather than perfect outcomes, recognising that continuous improvement forms part of the process. You maintain records, conduct internal reviews, and prepare for third-party verification audits that assess your adherence to the code’s standards.

How RJC COP certification works

Achieving certification under the responsible jewellery council code of practices follows a structured process that typically spans several months. You begin by submitting a membership application and paying applicable fees based on your company’s size and role in the supply chain. Once accepted, you prepare for verification through self-assessment and documentation of your existing practices against the code’s provisions.

The Application and Self-Assessment Phase

Your business starts by reviewing each provision to identify gaps between current practices and required standards. This self-assessment helps you understand which policies need development and what evidence auditors will require. You’ll compile documentation such as employee handbooks, environmental procedures, supplier agreements, and training records that demonstrate compliance. Most organisations spend three to six months preparing before requesting an audit.

The Third-Party Audit Process

RJC-accredited auditors conduct an independent verification assessment of your operations. They review documentation, interview staff, and may visit facilities to confirm your practices match what you’ve reported. Auditors assess whether you meet each applicable provision and note any non-conformances requiring corrective action.

Certification isn’t permanent; you must undergo re-assessment every three years to maintain your verified status.

After successfully addressing any identified gaps, you receive certification valid for three years, demonstrating your commitment to responsible practices throughout your jewellery operations.

How to implement the COP in a jewellery business

Implementing the responsible jewellery council code of practices requires systematic changes across your operations rather than superficial adjustments. You start by conducting a gap analysis that compares your current practices against each applicable provision. This assessment reveals which areas need policy development, what documentation you’re missing, and where operational changes must occur. Most jewellery businesses find they already meet some requirements but need to formalise procedures and create evidence trails for verification.

Developing Policies and Documentation

Your first action involves creating written policies that address each relevant provision. These documents establish your commitment to labour standards, environmental management, anti-corruption measures, and supply chain due diligence. You’ll need to document existing practices that already comply and develop new procedures where gaps exist. Templates help, but your policies must reflect your actual operations rather than copying generic language that auditors can identify immediately.

Effective implementation means your policies guide daily decisions, not just satisfy audit requirements.

Training Staff and Building Systems

Implementation succeeds when your team understands and applies the standards throughout their work. You conduct training sessions that explain why these practices matter and how staff contribute to compliance. Establish tracking systems for supplier verification, incident reporting, and continuous improvement that create the documentation trail auditors will review during certification.

Next steps you can take

Understanding the responsible jewellery council code of practices empowers you to make informed decisions when purchasing your engagement ring or wedding band. You now recognise the verified standards that separate genuine ethical commitments from marketing claims. When you evaluate jewellers, ask about their RJC certification status and request evidence of their adherence to these provisions. This knowledge positions you to choose pieces that reflect your values alongside your style.

Your next meaningful step involves selecting a jeweller who demonstrates these principles through their operations. At A Star Diamonds, we combine ethically sourced diamonds with bespoke craftsmanship in our Hatton Garden workshop, creating unique engagement rings that honour both your love story and responsible practices. Explore our bespoke engagement ring services to begin designing a piece that embodies your commitment to each other and to ethical standards throughout the jewellery supply chain.