A Wrexham jewellery store has joined top names like Cartier and Chanel in a campaign to help stamp out the trade in so-called “blood diamonds”.
Bosses at the F Hinds shop at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre are putting customers’ minds at ease after the national chain was awarded certification from the internationally based Responsible Jewellery Council.
The Wrexham branch, which opened in May, is one of the company’s 110 stores meeting ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards dictated by RJC. The chain’s other Welsh branches are in Cwmbran, Newport, Carmarthen and Merthyr Tydfil.
The illegal trade in conflict diamonds hit international headlines a few years ago thanks to a hard-hitting Leonardo DiCaprio film set during the conflict in Sierra Leone.
“Blood Diamonds” put the spotlight of world opinion on the diamonds mined in African war zones which were then sold to finance conflict, generating huge profits for warlords and diamond companies across the world.
“As a fifth generation family company, the way we do business is important to us,” says Andrew Hinds, director of the 155-year-old F.Hinds company and diamond buyer.
“We were delighted when the Responsible Jewellery Council was formed – in 2008 we were one of the earliest members – as we felt that it would enable the jewellery industry to make a real difference in the world.
“We have also been certified ahead of many national and international names in the jewellery industry, which for a family company like ours, gives us considerable pride and pleasure.”
Carl Evans, Assistant Manager at F Hinds in Eagles Meadow, transferred from its Shrewsbury store to Wrexham when it opened.
He said: “Business here has been really good, I’ve been surprised at just how quickly it has taken off.”
Plans to set up the world-wide organisation RJC actually began in 2005, a year before the film was even released.
To achieve its RJC certificate, F Hinds was audited by an independent third-party auditing firm accredited to the RJC’s Member Certification System.
“We are proud that our industry is leading the way in many areas of responsible sourcing and is pioneering initiatives not yet found in other sectors. We are equally proud that our certification shows that we continue to play a leading role in this process”, says Andrew Hinds.
“The certification of F.Hinds across its UK retail stores will send a strong message to consumers as well as to the jewellery industry regarding the company’s commitment to sustainable development. RJC is delighted that the F.Hinds’ team has achieved Certification.” says Michael Rae, RJC’s chief executive officer.
