Helzberg Diamonds Supply Chain Policy

Helzberg Diamonds is concerned about the environmental and social impacts of irresponsible mining practices. We are committed to sourcing gold and other precious metals produced under the highest social, human rights and environmental standards. We are working to ensure that the gold and other precious metals in our products were not produced at the expense of communities, workers, or the environment and we require that our suppliers adhere to these same principles.

Accordingly, as a condition of doing business with Helzberg Diamonds, each supplier agrees to ensure that the gold and precious metals Helzberg Diamonds purchases, subject to availability, comes from sources that meet the following human rights, social and environmental criteria at all stages in the supply chain (mining, processing, refining, recycling, etc). Specifically, each supplier agrees to the following:

Human Rights

We will not accept products from suppliers that use forced labor (including bonded, indentured or prison labor) in producing their products. Our suppliers are also required not to restrict the freedom of movement of employees or their dependents.

Helzberg Diamonds requires that all parties involved in the mining, processing and manufacturing of the products Helzberg sells respect basic human rights (as outlined in international conventions and declarations such as the UN "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and others). Helzberg Diamonds requires that our suppliers agree not to source gold from areas of armed or militarized conflict where there is high risk for human rights violations.

In addition, Helzberg Diamonds requires that all suppliers involved in the buying and selling of diamonds fully adhere to the principles of the World Diamond Council Resolution on Industry Self-Regulation and that all supplier invoices bear the World Diamond Council warranty statement that the diamonds supplied were purchased from sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with applicable United Nations resolutions restricting the trade in conflict diamonds.

Health and Safety

Helzberg Diamonds requires that suppliers provide a healthy and safe work environment for their employees in accordance with local laws. Employment facilities must have adequate first-aid facilities, fire exists, safety equipment, safe workstations, clean restrooms and adequate living quarters where necessary.

Helzberg Diamonds requires that our suppliers provide working conditions that minimize causes of workplace hazards, ensure physical isolation between employees and machinery, protect employees from airborne particles and fumes, provide free protective equipment, and ensure adequate lighting, appropriate ventilation, proper temperatures and safe noise levels.

Environment

Helzberg Diamonds is committed to managing its environmental footprint by eliminating or minimizing negative environmental impacts. We require that suppliers comply with local environmental laws and regulations and our suppliers agree not to source gold nationally or internationally from areas that are designated by a recognized authority as protected areas, or areas of high conservation or other ecological value such as IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) categories i-iv.