Currently viewing the category: "Sustainability"

LV Shanghai

Source: Shanghai Daily Photo: China Daily

Sustainable fashion often conjures up images of uncomfortable, unflattering hemp clothing designs or semi-precious, ethnic style hand-made jewelry rather than luxury. In recent years, thanks to the growing market for sustainable fashion goods in the west, advances in sourcing, design and production have led to brands creating sustainable alternatives that are equal to, if not surpassing the creativity, designs, styles, quality and value of conventional luxury fashion products. When LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group takes a stake in Edun, the ecological and ethical fashion brand created by rock star Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, it’s clear there’s a growing level of awareness and a shift in consumer demand for sustainable fashion (along with a tinge of guilty conscience on the part of conventional luxury fashion, perhaps?). Hopefully, this will help to improve attitudes towards sustainable fashion in Hong Kong and the rest of Asia, where fashion is heavily influenced by the west and demand is largely associated with brand image.

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DIAZ gorgeous ringsThe Kimberley Process, an international diamond tracking regime was designed to certify the origin of rough diamonds from sources which are free of conflict funded by diamond production. The recent failure of the Kimberley Process to take tough action against Zimbabwe and its non-compliance with international trade standards regarding diamonds from its Marange diamond fields is a major concern as undocumented diamonds continue to be sold to a mix of foreign buyers who smuggle them out of the country.

It is a well documented fact that rough diamonds from all over the world are mixed during trade before cutting and resale. With the failure of the Kimberley Process to stand resolutely for clean diamonds, there really is no way of being 100% certain that even a certified diamond you’re purchasing really is a conflict-free gem.

Insisting on conflict-free gems is an important first step to encourage change in the diamond industry. However, while the standards and definition of “conflict-free” remain ambiguous, consumers remain skeptical. When perfect alternatives do exist, must one still demand a mined diamond?

Our line of original 100% Conflict-Free designer engagement rings are set with the exquisite precision cut created stones of Swarovski Gems™; to offer a truly sincere, transparent and flawless promise to cherish with confidence forever. Check out the DIAZ Bridal Collection here.

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DIAZ BOX - our packaging

We’ve always been striving to find the best way to package our jewelry – looking for the best ‘ingredients’ in a balance of functionality, beauty, simplicity and sustainability. We knew that by reducing our use of paper and by using paper made with postconsumer recycled fiber, we consume less of the Earth’s forests – which was a good start. We also believe that paper should not be made with virgin wood fiber taken from trees harvested in endangered forests, and that it should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Between sourcing materials and finding a green manufacturer there were a few hiccups along the way, but we’re happy with where we’re at now.

Here’s how our current packaging inspires sustainability:

  1. The boxes are made using 70% post consumer recycled fiber, 30% FSC certified fiber.
  2. The paper for the boxes is made carbon neutral and manufactured with 100% renewable green energy.
  3. The inner wrapping is handmade from sustainably produced, recycled mulberry leaves.
  4. In our goal to minimize the consumption of resources (wood, water, chemicals and energy), we carefully selected and work with forward looking suppliers and printers who are open and proactive, and who are progressive considering the entire life cycle of paper and printing method.

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RE ring

The goal of upcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials by making use of existing ones, making something of equal or better value without downgrading the original material or creating more pollution during the process.

We couldn’t help but be inspired and think that this was a wonderful detour from the current norm in luxury sustainable jewelry of using recycled silver or gold, which requires melting, casting and soldering. We really wanted to take our jewelry one step up on the scale of sustainability, and so we got to work on it… Introducing RE to the SOL Collections, a series that symbolizes all our favorite ‘re’ words: rethink, renew, refresh, revive, recreate… In addition to not using ‘virgin’ silver, by manually hammering and shaping the rings and pendants, we avoided the energy-consuming processes of melting, casting and soldering, leaving no footprint behind.

The RE series of rings and pendants are created out of ‘flawed’ silver bangles salvaged from our workshop. We have given a new lease on life to the Conflict-free Bangle cuffs that did not make the cut during our “100% Conflict Free” fundraising campaign to support organic farming cooperatives in Sierra Leone.  Each bangle is now a completely different handmade, one-of-a-kind product.

RE is fun, whimsical and eco-conscientious. Proceeds from sales of the RE series will be donated to support grassroots environmental organization through 1% for the Planet.

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1% for the Planet logo

We believe in promoting socially responsible business practices that respect human beings and the environment. Since day one, it’s been our hope to contribute in the direction of solving issues a step at a time, partnering with those who share our beliefs, be it those who support our causes by buying our jewelry or non-profits working to raise awareness and bring about solutions.

In the past, DIAZ partnered with non-profits Amnesty International Japan, One Sky & the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone to donate a percentage of sales towards diamond mine reclamation and organic agriculture projects in mining towns of Sierra Leone – a country devastated by civil war, conflict diamonds, and environmental devastation as a result of indiscriminate alluvial diamond mining.

This year, we’re so excited about our partnership with 1% for the Planet, a growing global movement of companies that donate 1% of their sales to a network of 2,344 environmental organizations worldwide. 1% exists to build and support an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet – to “keep Earth in business”. It just makes good sense.

We were especially excited to discover that we are in fact the first jewelry brand out of Asia to join.

The environmental challenges we face are enormous…
The need for businesses to lead the way is even bigger.
We’re glad to do our part.
Click here to learn more about 1% for the Planet.

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