Jewelry pieces manufactured in line with industry certifications have a minimal environmental impact and don’t compromise on quality. This ensures transparency and safety of use.
Therefore, in this article, we will explain some of the most common jewelry certifications to note for manufacturing factories and jewelry pieces. We will also share tips on how to find a reliable jewelry manufacturer.
Jewelry Certifications for Company/Factory
Discussed below are the 4 major certifications that jewelry manufacturing companies must adhere to.
BSCI
BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is a top-rated supply chain management system that provides a comprehensive code of conduct to ensure the factories comply with certain standards, such as fair wages, healthy working hours, prohibition of child labor, and discrimination.
Here are BSCI core principles:
- Auditing and monitoring: Involves regular audit and monitoring of factories to address how workers are treated, their payment, and working conditions.
- Supplier compliance: This principle ensures that suppliers provide quality materials with high sustainability to make the jewelry production process environmentally friendly and hazard-free.
- Commitment to ethical production: BSCI encourages 3 major ethical production practices, which include: where the raw materials come from, how the jewelry is made, and the people making it.
- Supplier chain transparency: BSCI promotes transparency in the supply chain, requiring that jewelry manufacturing companies disclose the origin of the materials used and verify that the supply chain comply with ethical standards.
- Environmental considerations: Jewelry factories must adopt eco-friendly practices like reducing waste and using safe manufacturing systems to keep the environment safe.
- Legal compliance: BSCI mandates that all jewelry manufacturing companies adhere to local and international laws governing their region to avoid legal issues and foster a responsible business environment.
RJC
RJC (Responsible Jewelry Council) is a non-profit organization that sets standards for smooth business practices in the jewelry supply chain, from mining to retailing. These standards include several principles, such as labor rights, business ethics, and environmental impacts.
Here are RJC’s core principles:
- Labor rights and working conditions: Jewelry factories must ensure that workers’ rights are respected by offering fair wages, reasonable working hours, and a conducive workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
- Ethical business practices: RJC promotes ethical practices of manufacturers, requiring that they act with integrity and accountability. This principle upholds transparent sourcing of raw materials, quality processing, and honest marketing.
- Environmental management: Jewelry factories must adopt systems that reduce environmental harm, such as using sustainable materials, cutting down waste, and using eco-friendly processing.
- Product disclosure: RJC mandates that jewelry companies should provide accurate information about their products. This helps to inform customers of the product’s quality and build trust.
SEDEX
SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is a global not-for-profit organization focusing on responsible and ethical business practices within its supply chain.
SEDEX jewelry certification includes meeting various standards in factories, such as fair treatment of workers, implementing comprehensive health & safety measures, safe environmental practices, and high ethical standards.
ISO 45001
ISO 45001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. It provides a framework for organizations to manage risks and improve OH&S performance.
ISO 45001 utilizes the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology to systematically manage health and safety risks. Its key elements include: leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification and risk assessment, legal and regulatory compliance, emergency planning, incident investigation, and continual improvement.
Jewelry Certifications for the Product Itself
Source: Whiteflash
Explained below are 4 certifications every jewelry product must have to guarantee their safety of use.
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015 (International Organization of Standardization) is an international certification that specifies the requirements for a quality management system. It ensures that jewelry pieces are manufactured to meet customers’ satisfaction.
ISO 9001:2015 major principle is:
- Quality assurance: Every jewelry must meet quality standards, reducing defects and enhancing reliability. The jewelry must be strong to stand against extreme conditions like water & chemicals.
ISO 14001:2015
ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management Standard) is a certification focused on improving environmental sustainability, such as reducing waste and energy consumption. It ensures that the production systems of jewelry products are not harmful to society.
ISO 14001:2015 requires:
- Environmental management to be more prominent within the organization’s strategic direction.
- The implementation of proactive initiatives to protect the environment from harm and degradation, such as sustainable resource use and climate change mitigation.
- A focus on life-cycle thinking to ensure consideration of environmental aspects from development to end-of-life.
Nickel Release (US Standard): California Proposition 65
Proposition 65 is one of the standards and guidelines stipulated for the control of nickel content in jewelry making in the USA. For purposes of Proposition 65, Nickel is defined to be compounds of nickel with solubility in water of greater than 0.1 moles per liter (mol/L) at 20oC.
The main principles of this Act include:
- Consumer Protection: Provides accountability and honesty for customers, informing them of the potential risks associated with nickel exposure.
- Health Awareness: Ensures the nickel release levels of jewelry are not up to the threshold that can cause allergic reactions or other health problems.
Nickel Release (EU Standard): EN 1811:2023
The EN 1811:2023 standard outlines the reference test method for the release of nickel from post assemblies inserted into pierced parts of the human body and articles intended for direct and prolonged skin contact. It supersedes EN 1811:2011+A1:2015.
Here are other certified jewelry standards that guarantee the quality of jewelry products and the manufacturing process.
| Certification/Standard | Focus | Principles/Main features |
| Intertek | Quality assurance and testing services | Provides a wide range of quality assurance and all kinds of testing services |
| IAS | Accreditation of ethical, legal, and technical standards | Provides objective evidence to demonstrate that an organization operates under the highest ethical, legal, and technical standards |
| SGS | Inspection, testing, and certification services | Offers comprehensive services to verify the quality and safety of products |
| REACH Compliance | Chemical safety | Regulations that aim to protect human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemical substances |
| DRC Conflict-Free | Ethical sourcing of raw materials | Ensure products do not contain minerals sourced directly or indirectly from regions that might finance armed conflict |
| FSC Certification | Quality products packaging | Ensure the packaging and other paper materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits |
Jewelry Certifications Related to Metals & Material
Source: GIA
Diamond
| Certification Body | Gemological Institute of America (GIA) | American Gem Society (AGS) | International Gemological Institute (IGI) | European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) |
| Reputation | A non-profit organization that is considered the world’s foremost authority, highly reputable worldwide | Highly reputable in the US | Recognized | Recognized |
| Grading Precision | Very strict and consistent | Very strict and consistent | Generally less strict than GIA and AGS | Generally less strict than GIA and AGS |
| Cut Grade | Offer a detailed cut grade (Excellent, Very good) | Offer a detailed cut grade (0-10 scale) | Offer a cut grade (Excellent, Very Good) | Offer a cut grade (Excellent, Very Good, etc.) |
| Conflict-Free Certification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price of Certification | Generally higher | Generally higher | Lower than GIA and AGS | Lower than GIA and AGS |
| Global Recognition | Widely recognized globally | Recognized primarily in the US | Recognized | Recognized |
KPCS
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the process established in 2003 to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream rough diamond market.
Main feature: conflict-free diamond, to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.
Gold Filled
In the US, gold-filled jewelry should meet the following requirements:
- The pure gold layer must be at least 5% of the total weight of the item. (For common electroplated, the pure gold is 0.05% or less of the total weight of the piece)
- A minimum gold purity of 12 karats.
- Often marked with “GF” and the karat number such as 1/20GF, 14/20GF, and 12/20GF.
Gold Vermeil
In the US, gold-vermeil jewelry should meet the following requirements:
- The base metal should be silver.
- A minimum gold purity of 10 karats.
- A gold thickness of at least 2.5 microns.
Silver & Gold
Certified silver jewelry and certified gold jewelry should meet the following requirements:
- For certified silver jewelry, 92.5% of pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper).
- There are different karats of certified gold jewelry. They include 24K (99.9% pure gold), 22K (91.6% pure gold and 8.4% other metals), 18K (75% pure gold and 25% other metals), 14K (58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals), and 10K (41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals).
| Certification/Standard | Focus | Principles/Main features |
| BIS hallmark | Quality and purity assurance | Provides consistent quality indicators to guarantee product authenticity |
| Fair Trade Gold | Ethical and sustainable gold | Ensures fair payment to miners and promotes eco-friendly mining |
| Fairmined | Responsible gold mining | Encourages sustainable mining methods to reduce environmental impact and strengthen the community benefits |
Stainless Steel
Certified stainless steel jewelry should meet the following requirements:
The number “304” signifies that this steel, as classified by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This designation is commonly used across industries to specify the particular grade of stainless steel and its distinct characteristics.
316, known as surgical stainless steel, contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum, with a maximum carbon content of 0.08%.
Most Common & Key Jewelry Certifications
Here is a comprehensive table of the most common and important certifications to consider when you are looking for suppliers to purchase from.
| Certification/Standard | Focus Area | Key Principles/Standards | Notable Features | Applicability |
| BSCI | Social compliance | Auditing, supplier compliance | Ethically and socially responsible practices in the production of consumer goods | Global |
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality management | Quality standards | Consistent quality standards | Global |
| ISO 14001:2015 | Environmental management | Environmental standards | Sustainability in production | Global |
| Califonia Prop65 | Nickel Release (US) | Nickel release standards | Limits on harmful substances | US |
| EN 1811:2023 | Nickel Release (EU) | Nickel release limits | Compliance with EU standards | EU |
| GIA | Diamond certification | Grading and certification | Recognized diamond grading, 4Cs | Global |
FAQs
What is the BEST diamond certification?
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the best diamond certification company. The GIA is renowned for its stringent grading standards and impartial evaluation. The diamond certification includes detailed information about the 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat).
What is the most trusted gem certification?
GIA is not only the best diamond certification, but also the most trusted gem certification. The GIA ensures that customers receive accurate information to make great decisions.
What is the widely recognized jewelry certification?
GIA is widely recognized around the world and it is considered the industry standard because of diamond grading. Jewelers and jewelry enthusiasts around the globe trust GIA certificates because they guarantee the authenticity of jewelry pieces.
What is the world’s first ethical certification system for gold?
Fairtrade Certified Gold is the world’s first ethical certification system for gold. All Fairtrade gold comes from mines that comply with the Fairtrade Gold standard, which promotes fair deals for small-scale miners and the protection of environmental sustainability.
What is the most widely recognized jewelry certification regarding sustainability?
The RJC (Responsible Jewelry Council) is the leading organization dedicated to jewelry production sustainability around the world. RJC certification symbolizes a mark of commitment to reliable sourcing of raw materials, labor rights, environmental preservation, and business ethics.
What is the most widely used quality management standard in jewelry manufacturing?
The ISO 9001:2015 is the most widely adopted quality management standard for jewelry production. It provides a framework that focuses on meeting customers’ requirements and consistent quality.
How to Find a Trustworthy Jewelry Manufacturer?
Finding a sustainable jewelry manufacturer to trust can be demanding nowadays, as there are a wide variety of manufacturers on the market. Not to worry, you can still make a great choice by considering the factors below:
Check certifications and memberships
Define your criteria. List down all you need for your jewelry and check for manufacturers with the certifications discussed above. Ensure the manufacturer you choose is accredited for producing certified jewelry products.
Reputation and reviews
Look for customers’ reviews and testimonials to gauge the manufacturer’s reputation within the industry. Try to get word-of-mouth feedback from people who have bought from the manufacturer before making a decision.
Industry institutions
Very good places to find a trustworthy jewelry manufacturer are tradeshows and forums. Several jewelry suppliers are present at these events, exhibiting their products. You can make inquiries, ask questions, and make an informed decision.
Transparency in sourcing
The raw materials used in production are essential in the jewelry quality. The manufacturer you choose should be transparent about what types of materials were used, where they were gotten from, and their possible effects (if any).
Visit the factory (if possible)
If you have the luxury of visiting the factory, you can. Get a first-hand experience of how the jewelry is produced and see if the factory complies with the various jewelry certification standards discussed above.
Warranty and after-sales support
The preferred manufacturer should have warranties for their products in case they don’t live up to expectations. Also, there should be provisions for 24/7 customer support to provide clarity to after-sales questions.
Key Takeaway
Certifications play a crucial role in the jewelry industry. They ensure that factories and products meet quality standards for ethical and sustainable practices. These standards guarantee that you don’t just buy a piece of certified jewelry, but they are sourced and manufactured responsibly, which goes a long way to influencing the best manufacturer to buy from.
