RJC launches RJC Laboratory Grown Material Standard

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has launched the RJC Laboratory Grown Material Standard (LGMS) to set a benchmark for ethical and sustainable practices in the laboratory-grown (lab-grown) diamond and lab-grown coloured gemstone sector. The LGMS outlines the necessary provisions for RJC members working with lab-grown diamonds and lab-grown coloured gemstones, ensuring that every piece is crafted with care for both people and the planet. It also covers all aspects of responsible business practice, from legal compliance, management systems, due diligence, human rights, labour rights and working conditions, health and safety, appraisal and grading, disclosure, environmental management and more. To support this mission, the LGMS emphasises the importance of maintaining strong company management systems, to ensure a responsible and transparent supply chain. Each member will document and implement technical requirements that impact every step of the process, to reduce risks and vulnerabilities in a company’s supply chain, make a positive impact for workers and communities ultimately ensuring that the integrity of each lab-grown gemstone is preserved. According to RJC, the standard helps companies not only operate “in a way that is responsible, through implementation of the requirements, but it makes sure they communicate about their practices and products clearly, transparently and accurately”. It added that this transparency is “crucial” for fostering trust in the marketplace and providing consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions. For the first year after its release, the LGMS will be voluntary for existing RJC members. However, after this initial phase, it will become mandatory for all members handling lab-grown materials. The transition is designed to ensure that every member has the support and resources needed to meet these vital standards. As part of this initiative, the RJC will also implement optional training and educational modules along with streamlined auditing processes, making it easier for members dealing with both lab-grown and natural materials to adhere to both the LGMS and the existing Code of Practices (COP). Dave Meleski, chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council, said: “Our mission at RJC is to promote responsible business practices from laboratory or mine to retail. With the LGMS, we are not just setting a standard; we are setting a vision for a future where elegance and ethics go hand in hand. We believe that every diamond, whether mined or lab-grown, can be celebrated without compromising our values.” John Hall, interim executive director of the RJC, added: “Our mission is to create a trustworthy environment where buyers and sellers can engage with confidence. By implementing our LGMS we aim to ensure only best practices from laboratory to consumer.”