Current Vine

By Denise Tong

Those who know a bit about diamonds are likely familiar with the 4 Cs: cut, carat, clarity, and color. Meghan Connolly Haupt’s jewelry company, C5, introduces a fifth C into the equation: consciousness. 

Seeking to reduce the size of consumers’ environmental footprints, C5 offers fine jewelry that is produced in the United States with recycled metals and gems that are either ethically mined or lab-created (the two kinds are chemically identical). In addition to ready-to-wear retail jewelry, the company allows clients to custom-design their own jewelry through an extensive collaborative process. Loose diamonds and other precious gems are also available.

For shoppers who are interested in “wearing their commitment” to sustainability (as C5 calls it), the company offers earrings, bracelets, rings, and pendants; some pieces are exclusive to the company while others are provided by designers such as Gary Ptak and Jennifer Dawes.

The company Web site provides consumers with basic information about the social and environmental drawbacks to traditional mining methods, while the company’s blog covers relevant current issues.

The woman behind it all talked to CurrentVine.com about consumer information and her company’s future.

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GH: What is the most common consumer misconception you’ve encountered in your business?

MCH: The most common misconception is that a “certified conflict-free” diamond means that consumers should feel good about purchasing it as opposed to a non-certified diamond. Most consumers don’t realize the shortcomings of the Kimberley certification process [which was created to establish industry standards]. In addition to it not being enforceable, the Kimberley process doesn’t take human rights or environmental issues into consideration. A diamond that is “certified conflict-free” may still be marked by unsafe worker conditions, unfair labor practices, and improper waste disposal, among other negative community impacts. Consumers are led to believe that “conflict-free” means “clean” and that just isn’t the case.

Similarly, many consumers have been led to believe that Canadian diamonds have less social and environmental impact than those mined elsewhere. That isn’t necessarily true either. Canadian diamonds mined in rural indigenous communities are often shipped to India and Africa for cutting and polishing and therefore subjected to the same process as other diamonds and there is little evidence to suggest better working conditions.

GH: You’ve recommended books for people to read to inform themselves: Stefan Kanfer’s The Last Empire: De Beers, Diamonds and the World and Tom Zoellner’s The Heartless Stone. Where else do you recommend people go to read up on these issues?

MCH: Unfortunately, the issues associated with traditional fine jewelry are still very much under the consumer radar. Mainstream media has failed to educate the public about the myriad of issues associated with mining and jewelry production. A concerned consumer has to do some serious digging to not only learn about the issues, but to find alternatives. In addition to the C5 Web site, other informative sites are NoDirtyGold.org, GlobalWitness.org, and MadisonDialogue.org.

GH: You carry jewelry by a number of designers; is there anything in particular that you look for in these partnerships?

MCH: C5 looks to partner with like-minded companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and share our belief that fine jewelry can be both beautiful and sustainable. We look to partner with designers who use a combination of recycled, reclaimed, ethically sourced or lab-created materials.

GH: You’re working on expanding your C5 exclusive line; what else are you planning to offer?

MCH: Yes, we are working on producing a variety of jewelry designs for men and women [for our line] that are made in the United States with recycled metals and ethically sourced or lab-created gems. We are also seeking out new jewelry designers with whom to partner and are working to move the mining industry as a whole down the path of sustainability.