French Jeweler Gay Frères is First Certified RJC Member

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) passed an important milestone, announcing its first member to be certified against the ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards established by RJC’s Member Certification System.

French jewelry manufacturer Gay Frères’ passed the verification assessment, conducted by STR.

“The RJC is delighted to congratulate Gay Frères becoming its first RJC Certified Member,” said RJC’s Chairman Matt Runci. "This important milestone builds on five years of sustained effort by the RJC’s Members to create the independent third party RJC Member Certification System applicable from mine to retail.

The RJC is an international non-profit organization promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry from mine to retail.

Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewelry products.

To meet that goal, RJC has developed the RJC Member Certification System which will apply to all members’ businesses that contribute to the diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewelry supply chain. All commercial members of the RJC are required to be audited by accredited, third party auditors to verify their conformance with the RJC’s Code of Practices and become certified under the RJC System.

Founded in 1835, Gay Frères is well known as a manufacturer and supplier of the greatest European jewelry brands, employing 300 people and producing 1,000 jewelry pieces daily.

“We are most proud to be the first RJC Member to achieve this important certification and we encourage others within the industry to follow suit so that they too can evidence responsible business practices,” said Gay Frères’ Director Claude Schlappi.