Greenland Ruby is First Colored-Gem Miner to Join Responsible Jewellery Council

Greenland Ruby’s VP Sales and Marketing Hayley Henning led a U.S. government delegation, including the new U.S. Greenlandic Affairs Officer Sung Choi, to tour its mine in southwest Greenland in May 2019. The U.S. has just opened a diplomatic office in Greenland – its first since 1953 – because it wants to strengthen trade and political ties with Greenland, a part of the North American continent. Greenland is currently transitioning to self-rule, after centuries as a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Pictured (L. to R.): U.S. Greenlandic Affairs Officer Sung Choi, Greenland Ruby VP Sales/Marketing Hayley Henning, and Greenland Ruby geologist Aaju Simonsen at Greenland Ruby’s mine in Aappaluttoq, Greenland, May 2019.

(PRESS RELEASE) Greenland Ruby announces that it has become the first colored-gem miner to join the Responsible Jewelry Council. The company, with a head office in Nuuk, Greenland, has embarked on the process of becoming certified according to RJC’s Code of Practices, which defines responsible, social and environmental business practices for companies in the jewelry supply chain.

Once Greenland Ruby has completed a self-assessment, the company’s practices will be audited by an independent, RJC-accredited auditor who reports the results to RJC. Following a technical review, RJC can issue Greenland Ruby a certification for either one or three years, depending on whether the auditors find significant practices on which the company need to improve. Greenland Ruby will then be re-audited on a regular basis after that.

In April 2019, RJC released a revised Code of Practices Standard, which for the first time expanded its scope to include the colored gemstones ruby, emerald, and sapphire. This paved the way for Greenland Ruby to join. Greenland Ruby’s mine produces both ruby and pink sapphire.

RJC helps companies of all sizes, throughout the jewelry supply chain, meet the rising ethical demands of peers, consumers, financial institutions, and civil society. Adoption of and adherence to the RJC’s Code of Practices presents a gateway to sustainable growth for businesses throughout the jewelry supply chain, from mine to retail.

“We’re delighted to begin the process of becoming certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council,” says Greenland Ruby Vice President Sales and Marketing Hayley Henning. “It has been Greenland Ruby’s aim, since it began mining in 2017, to become an RJC member. With the expansion of the material scope to include colored gems in the RJC’s revised Code of Practices, it now enables us to assess our practices. By achieving RJC certification, Greenland Ruby will confirm our commitment to responsible business practices. We look forward to beginning this process and hope to encourage other colored gem mining operations to become certified, too.”

INSTORE Staff

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