Borsheims has long worked to ensure the integrity of the jewelry industry world-wide. By working with suppliers, governments, regulating bodies and other retailers, Borsheims has helped to bring strength and honesty to the diamond and gemstone industry.
Borsheims' President & CEO Susan Jacques was a key player in the establishment of the Kimberley Process, a certification system used to stem the flow of conflict diamonds. After Jacques and other influential members of the jewelry industry testified in front of Congress, the Kimberley Process was adopted. The Kimberley Process imposes extensive requirements to certify all diamonds shipped through its participants are conflict-free, meaning they have not been used to finance wars against legitimate governments or have aided in human rights abuses. Through the establishment of the Kimberley Process, it is now estimated that less than 1% of the world's diamonds are conflict-diamonds.
All of the diamonds and gemstones sold at Borsheims have come through the Kimberley Process. Borsheims requires its suppliers to sign agreements verifying that the stones Borsheims purchases are conflict-free. Borsheims tells its customers about this guarantee on the back of every sales receipt. In addition, Borsheims is even stricter with its vendors than the Kimberley Process mandates. As of July, 2010, Borsheims is requiring its vendors to stop providing diamonds from the Merengue fields of Zimbabwe (stones allowed by the Kimberley Process). With some calling into question the origin of the Merengue stones, Borsheims is working with its vendors to ensure that those stones do not end up in our store. To put it more simply - to the best of our knowledge, any stone you buy at Borsheims is conflict-free.
The production of conflict-free diamonds and gemstones is essential to many countries, and we at Borsheims are happy to support them. Legitimate diamond and gemstone sales help to stabilize and develop fragile countries. A natural resource for many countries in Africa, the diamond trade contributes $8.5 billion per year to Africa. It is also estimated that diamond and gemstone mining in countries like Botswana funds up to 100% of education, healthcare and infrastructure needs. To read more about the benefits of diamond mining, click here.
Borsheims is proud to help lead the way on conflict-free diamonds and gemstones and will continue working to ensure the integrity of the jewelry industry.
How green are we at Borsheims? As green as the emeralds we sell!
In our 2006 store remodel, we took sustainability to new heights - literally! Our two story glass entrance allows natural light to flood the store, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Our display cases are made of wood from a sustainable forest. We installed an ice-melt system under the sidewalks to reduce the need for salt and sand during the slick winter months. And we recycle all the boxes and packaging material we can. We even take back and recycle our signature Borsheims boxes from customers!
Another popular way to recycle? By bringing back your old jewelry? We're happy to pay you for your gold jewelry, trade up your diamond or reset an heirloom stone. Call our store at (800)642-GIFT for all the details.
Treatment of Gemstones
Many gemstones are enhanced or treated to make them more beautiful, stronger or clearer. In some stones, the treatments are commonplace. For example, tanzanite requires heat to turn the stone from a brownish rough into a violet blue color. For information on the most common treatments in various gemstones and diamonds, please visit the American Gemological Trade Association.
At Borsheims, we believe our customers should be fully informed about the stones they are purchasing. Borsheims sales associates will be able to detail the treatments found on your particular stone. If you have any questions about the treatment of gemstones, please contact one of our sales associates via email or by calling (800)642-GIFT.