Wednesday, July 25, 2012


Rio Tinto launches its first sustainable jewellery collection
25 July 2012

Rio Tinto has launched its inaugural sustainable jewellery collection. Titled Nature’s Beauty, the collection is made of gold from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper mine in the US, with white and champagne diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia.

The Nature’s Beauty collection is a pilot project that will be trialled in the US, the world’s largest retail diamond jewellery market. Comprising earrings, rings, necklace and cuffs, the collection was showcased time for the first at the prestigious JCK Luxury show in Las Vegas.

Rio Tinto has been at the vanguard of reform in the jewellery industry and results from consumer focus groups and quantitative research have revealed just how important the issue of sustainability is, in the eyes of jewellery consumers.

Rio Tinto Diamonds chief commercial officer, Jean-Marc Lieberherr said,

“Today’s consumer is looking for assurance that the jewellery they buy has been produced to the highest ethical, social and environmental standards.”

Rio Tinto occupies a unique position as the only miner certified by The Responsible Jewellery Council, the industry organisation committed to promoting responsible practices throughout the jewellery industry from mine to retail. Whilst remote from each other socially and geographically, Rio Tinto’s mines are linked by their commitment to sustainable mining practices and a desire to make a positive difference to the communities in which they reside.


About Rio Tinto Diamonds

Rio Tinto operates a fully integrated diamonds business from exploration through to sales and marketing. It is one of the world’s major diamond producers through its 100 per cent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 per cent of the Diavik mine in Canada, 78 per cent interest in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe and 100 per cent interest in the Bunder project in India.

Rio Tinto’s share of the production from its three operating diamond mines is sold through its sales and marketing headquarters in Antwerp, with representative offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong and New York. It also operates a niche cutting and polishing factory in Perth for the rare pink diamonds from its Argyle mine. Rio Tinto is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process, as well as a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council. 

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

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