The short answer: a jeweller can honestly promise to tell you what they know about a stone, such as whether it is natural or lab grown, what the report says and what documents exist. A jeweller cannot honestly promise a complete chain of custody for every diamond, so be cautious of anyone who does.
Many buyers ask where a diamond comes from. It is a fair question, and the honest answer depends on the stone. Here is what can and cannot be promised, and how to ask good questions.
What can be stated honestly
- Whether a stone is natural or lab grown.
- What the independent report shows.
- What the supplier has told us and what documents they provided.
- Whether a stone is recycled or antique, where that is known.
What is harder to promise
- The exact mine for a natural diamond, since stones are often mixed and traded through many hands.
- The working conditions at every step of the supply chain.
- Sweeping claims such as conflict free without evidence you can see.
Why caution is sensible
Diamond supply chains are complex, and traceability varies. Some stones come with strong documentation, and others do not. A trustworthy seller will tell you how much is known, rather than suggest more than they can prove.
How a natural diamond travels
A natural rough diamond is mined, sorted and sold, often in parcels mixed with stones from other places. It may then be cut and polished in another country and traded several times before it is set. Each step can add paperwork, but the further a stone travels, the harder it can be to trace back to a single mine. For natural diamonds, the Kimberley Process deals with the trade in rough stones, and our guide to the Kimberley Process explained sets out what it does and does not cover.
Questions to ask any jeweller
- Is this stone natural or lab grown?
- What documents come with it?
- What do you know about where it came from, and how do you know?
- What can you not tell me?
Reading marketing wording
Phrases such as ethically sourced, responsibly sourced or conflict free are often used loosely. Ask what stands behind the phrase, who checked it and what it covers. A good answer is specific. A vague answer is a reason to ask more questions. See ethical and sustainable engagement rings.
Lab grown and recycled options
If origin matters a great deal to you, lab grown and recycled stones can give more clarity, because a lab grown stone is made in a known setting and a recycled stone does not need new mining. We say plainly what each option does and does not mean. See lab grown carbon footprint claims for the environmental side.
Our approach
We tell you what we know about each stone, and we do not make claims we cannot support. If you have specific requirements about origin, tell us and we will see what we can source and document. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
See recycled and antique diamonds and tariffs, sanctions and diamond origin, and browse diamonds or lab grown colourless diamonds.
Frequently asked questions
Can you tell me the mine of a natural diamond? Not usually, and we will say so honestly.
Is a lab grown diamond more traceable? It is made in a known setting, and we explain what documents exist.
Can you source a stone with specific documentation? Tell us what you need and we will see what is possible.
Does the Kimberley Process apply to lab grown diamonds? No, it deals with the trade in natural rough diamonds.
Will you put origin details in writing? We can put what we know about the stone in writing, and we say clearly where something is not known.