In an era of escalating ethical concerns surrounding traditional diamond mining, Aukera Jewellery stands as a beacon of progressive innovation. Championing lab-grown diamonds, Aukera offers a guilt-free alternative, eliminating the social and environmental pitfalls associated with conventional extraction methods. Their commitment to transparency and sustainability empowers consumers to make informed choices, aligning personal desires with ethical principles.
In this exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Ms. Lisa Mukhedkar, CEO and Founder of Aukera Jewellery, elaborates on how the company redefines diamond purchasing for the discerning consumer.
Scroll down to read the full interview:
Q. How does Aukera Jewellery address challenges related to unethical labour practices and human rights violations associated with traditional diamond mining?
A. Aukera Grown Diamond Jewellery offers an ethical conflict-free, and highly progressive alternative, eliminating concerns about blood diamonds. Created in controlled labs, they ensure independence from conflict zones, providing consumers with confidence that their purchase doesn't contribute to violence or environmental harm associated with traditional mining. This transparency resonates with conscientious consumers, aligning jewellery choices with values and prioritising ethical sourcing, making grown diamonds a compelling and responsible choice. Aukera Grown Diamond Jewellery upholds unwavering ethical standards. We rigorously select partners committed to a child labour-free supply chain. Embracing gender equality, we ensure 50% of employment opportunities for women. Our dedication extends to guaranteeing fair wages and creating a sustainable and responsible foundation for our exquisite diamond jewellery creations.
Grown diamonds bring a revolutionary level of transparency and traceability to the jewellery industry. Unlike Earth-extracted diamonds with complex, unclear origins, Grown diamonds offer an easily traceable supply chain.Grown Diamond Jewellery are such a breath of fresh air and treats human life as valuable. Unlike the mined category that drawsthe curtain with the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme. The Kimberly Process defines conflict diamonds narrowly as those that finance rebel movements against governments. It doesn't address diamonds mined in conditions involving other human rights abuses, such as child labour, poor working conditions, or environmental degradation. We are proud to say, Aukera-grown Diamonds and Jewellery are made in India. This direct route from the laboratory to the consumer ensures full confidence in the ethical and sustainable production of each diamond, setting a new standard for transparency in the diamond industry.
Q. In what ways does the adoption of lab-grown diamonds contribute to eliminating concerns about exploitative labour conditions in the diamond industry?
A. Grown diamonds stand out as ethical choices: never funding warlords or rebel groups, strict working conditions defined - that included fair wages, humane working conditions, no child labour, and environmental concerns unaddressed by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Grown diamonds provide a tangible solution to the conflicts and ethical issues inherent in the mined diamond trade. Opting for grown diamonds allows consumers to actively diminish demand for conflict-associated diamonds. This demand reduction directly undermines the financial incentives for armed groups involved, contributing significantly to the resolution of ongoing conflicts, and making lab-grown diamonds a powerful and ethical choice. The Kimberly Process, revered as sacrosanct, focuses primarily on rough diamonds, ignoring issues related to the cutting, polishing, and trading of diamonds. This means that cut and polished diamonds, which make up the majority of the diamond market, may not adhere to the same ethical standards. However, with grown diamond jewellery, the entire supply chain is monitored. Making it the industry of choice for those who support progress for all.
Q. Can you provide details on how lab-grown diamonds, as mentioned in the engagement proposal, have a substantially lower environmental footprint compared to mined diamonds?
A. Diamond Alchemists, equipped with high-tech diamond growing proficiency, eliminate the need for large-scale land excavation, avoiding dangers like soil erosion and deforestation. Mined diamonds adversely impact local ecology, while Grown Diamonds require minimal land use. Comparatively, Grown Diamonds significantly reduce carbon, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide emissions, emphasizing their environmental superiority. Water usage is drastically lower for grown diamonds. With zero environmental incidents reported, Grown Diamonds affirmsits conscientious choice. The diamond-growing process doesn't harm plants, animals, or natural habitats, in contrast to mining. While addressing conflicts, Grown Diamonds aspires to deepen its environmental commitment, foreseeing a green transition in the industry.As a sustainable and responsible option, lab-grown diamonds align with conscientious consumer values, providing an opportunity to enjoy the brilliance of diamonds without contributing to the negative environmental and social impacts associated with traditional Earth-extracted diamond mining.A promise we make to our customers to only provide clean diamonds and a conscious choice the consumers make for themselves and the Earth. Mined diamonds, ironically, contribute to habitat destruction. Identifying ethically sourced diamonds is challenging due to the industry's complexities. Lab-grown diamonds offer a clean alternative, created in a controlled environment with the same composition as Earth Extracted Diamonds.
Q. How does Aukera Jewellery integrate environmental sustainability into its CSR initiatives related to diamond production?
A. We at Aukera are immensely proud of our Share the Sparkle initiative, in association with SunBird Trust. The Trust operates in the northeast part of India and is a firm believer that Education can bring pieces to the region. With every purchase at Aukera, one Girl child gets educated. With every diamond purchased at Aukera, one girl is empowered further. Now, it makes us sad to see the state of the mined category that is so opaque and muddled in controversy. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), designed to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds, overlooks critical concerns like child labour and environmental impacts. Diamond mining involves child labour, depriving children of education while contributing to global warming through extensive soil excavation. Lab-grown diamonds emerge as an ethical alternative, addressing not only conflict but also prioritizing the elimination of child labour and reducing environmental harm associated with traditional diamond mining.
Q. What role does transparency play in the organisation’s CSR initiatives, specifically regarding consumer awareness and informed decision-making?
A. Aukera epitomizes transparency, etching carat details on diamond girdles, ensuring traceability. Before partnerships, rigorous checks guarantee fair wages and ethical conditions for artisans. No markup on gold and minimal making charges showcase our commitment. Every piece, from nose pin to bridal necklace, bears IGI certification, empowering customers to verify authenticity on the IGI portal.
Q. Could you elaborate on the in-store educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the ethical aspects of lab-grown diamonds?
A. As pioneers in Grown Diamond Jewellery, education is our duty. We empower customers through interactive Diamond Quotient sessions, ensuring they grasp the essence of conscious choices. Prioritizing clarity, we offer post-purchase assurance with robust buy-back and exchange policies, fostering a journey where knowledge and trust converge seamlessly.
Q. How do you balance consumer education with commercial interests in the context of CSR, considering the potential impact on sales?
A. Aukera Grown Diamond Jewellery champions conscious choices, putting women at the forefront of diamond purchases with our ethos, "When Women Make The Choice." In collaboration with Sun Bird Trust, dedicated to education in conflict regions like the North East, each Aukera purchase sponsors a girl's education. We passionately believe that every woman choosing Aukera not only selects timeless beauty but also empowers young girls to shape their futures through education, embodying the transformative impact of women supporting women in creating a brighter, empowered tomorrow.
Q. The proposal mentions collaborations with industry bodies. Can you provide examples of such collaborations and their impact on promoting responsible diamond production?
A. The rise of conscious consumers signals just the beginning. Ethical consumption rejection of conspicuous excess favours grown Diamonds. To fortify its green commitment, the industry plans to embrace solar energy and water recycling. However, caution prevails against mere greenwashing. As a member of GJEPC and ILGC, ongoing discussions emphasize the need for genuine environmental progress in the grown Diamond sector.
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