These management tools apply to all tiers of the coloured gemstone supply chain and are customised to correspond with the type of business activity, size of the business and organisational capacity.
Where possible, we have aligned the technical content of our approach and tools with prevailing industry sustainability and responsible sourcing systems, such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict and High Risk Areas, the Responsible Jewellery Council, Fairtrade International, Fairmined, and several other relevant organisations focusing on standards for producers and manufacturers in the jewellery industry. We monitor changes to and review these initiatives to make sure we stay abreast of current thinking and incorporate that thinking into the CGWG tools where possible.
The gemstone is industry is one of the most diverse economic sectors globally, however, and a one-fits-all approach to corporate accountability and standards is inappropriate and very difficult to apply. The CGWG takes a more tailored framework that accommodates businesses of different size and operating norms.
The tools are divided into two categories:
- tools for coloured gemstone mining entities and,
- tools for non-mining entities.
Tools for non-mining entities are applicable to coloured gemstone supply chain businesses that are not directly involved in gemstone mining, such as cutters and polishers, traders, and retailers.
The Responsible Sourcing Tools include questionnaires designed to gather information on coloured gemstones supplier practices in management areas such as human rights, labour, environment, and business integrity. For ease of use, the questionnaires are designed in a familiar Excel format.
Tools for mining entities are applicable to those directly involved in the extraction and recovery of gemstones – artisanal mines, small-scales mines, semi-industrial mines and large-scale mines.
The tools are available for download for free to businesses of all sizes and at all phases of the gemstone supply chain. Click here to start the download.
To help you engage confidently with the tools, you can use a series of user guides available below. These guides will help you to understand why the tools have been created; how they can benefit your business, the customer-supplier relationship and the industry as a whole; as well as offering step-by-step help on how to complete them.
User Guide 1
An Introduction to the Coloured Gemstone Working Group (or CGWG) Responsible Sourcing Tools.
This guide is intended for everyone using the tools to gather information on their coloured gemstone supply chain and suppliers who will complete the tools. The user guide looks at the importance of due diligence, types of tools available and the benefits of using the tools.
User Guide 2
Screening Tools
This guide introduces the Screening Tools that enable a quick and focused assessment of a company’s policies and practices. Screening Tools are intended as a way to better understand your business partners and to raise awareness of any actual or potential problems to be addressed. The guide also includes step-by-step instructions on how to complete the questionnaires in excel.
User Guide 3
In-depth due diligence tools
This guide introduces in-depth due diligence tools intended as a means to engage with your business partners, raise awareness of potential issues, and, anticipate and manage risks in your supply chain. The guide looks at the basis for in-depth due diligence, the types of non-mining and mining tools available, and how the tools are adjusted to cover all entity types and sizes. The guide also contains step by step instructions on how to complete the questionnaires in excel.