Ethical Metals
Ethical sourcing is an integral guiding principle for our business.
All of the gold we handle is sourced from refiners on the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) list. What does this mean?
- The refiners are in good legal standing
- They certify and independently audit that all supplies are traceable and conflict-free
LBMA standards do not provide traceability to the originating mine.
Mine to Market Gemstones
We do not trade in "conflict diamonds" under the purview of the international Kimberley Process. Over the decades, our gemstone buyers have forged long-standing relationships with the most trusted and transparent suppliers in the industry.
We visit many of the mines our gemstones come from, and we present a clear and documentable path from the mine to your bench in product lines like our American Mined™ Collection.
Respect for the Wild
As long as there is consumer demand for illegal wildlife products, endangered species will remain vulnerable.
Rio Grande has always complied with U.S. laws concerning the conservation of wildlife and their habitat—we'll never sell ivory products, for example.
We also refrain from selling legal biological products that have been linked with increased poaching in the wild, such as farmed coral and stingray.
Industry Advocacy
In 2014, Rio Grande was independently audited by UL and achieved certification for the standards set by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). We have been re-audited and our certification was renewed until 2025.
One of the many requirements for becoming a member of the RJC is a demonstrated commitment to ethical sourcing which encompasses a wide range of issues including environmental, social, financial and regulatory issues.
The auditors carefully examined our sourcing practices and our vendors to ensure we are only buying from vendors who share these values.
Reuse & Reinvention
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