If you're in the diamond business, whether that's retail, manufacturing, or wholesale, or even just shopping for yourself, you'll likely come across the term "SCS-007 certified." But what does it actually mean, and why should it matter to your business? Let's break down this certification that's changing how the industry approaches diamond sustainability.
Understanding SCS-007 Certification
SCS-007 is a comprehensive sustainability standard created by SCS Global Services specifically for the diamond industry. Launched in January 2020 after input from global diamond industry representatives and stakeholders, it's the first unified framework that applies to both lab-grown and mined diamonds.
Unlike traditional diamond certifications that focus on quality factors like cut, color, clarity, and carat weight (the 4Cs), SCS-007 evaluates something entirely different: how responsibly a diamond is produced from both environmental and social perspectives.
The Five Pillars of SCS-007
The certification measures diamond producers against five critical sustainability areas:
1. Verified Origin Traceability
Every certified diamond's journey must be fully documented and verifiable. You know exactly where your diamond comes from and can trace its entire path from creation to your finger.
2. Twelve Principles of Ethical Stewardship
This covers environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Think fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and ethical treatment of everyone in the supply chain.
3. Verified Climate Neutrality
Companies must meet strict carbon neutrality benchmarks. Their carbon footprint gets measured, verified, and offset to achieve net-zero status.
4. Sustainable Production Practices
Production methods must minimize environmental impact. This means using renewable energy, reducing water consumption, and implementing efficient processes that limit harm to the environment.
5. Sustainability Investments
Certified companies must actively invest in initiatives that support communities, advance responsible technologies, and contribute to broader environmental and social improvements.
Why SCS-007 Matters
The certification provides third-party verification through rigorous audits, product sampling, and testing. This means the claims aren't just marketing talk—they're independently verified by an unbiased certification body.
For consumers, this translates to trust. When you buy an SCS-007 certified diamond, you're not just taking a company's word for it. You're getting scientifically-backed proof that your purchase aligns with genuine sustainability standards.
The certification also allows companies to use the "Certified Sustainability Rated Diamond" ecolabel and receive a Certificate of Achievement detailing their specific environmental and social milestones.
How It Differs From Other Certifications
While certifications like GIA, IGI, and AGS focus on diamond quality and authenticity, SCS-007 is exclusively about sustainability. You can have both—a GIA-certified diamond that's also SCS-007 certified gives you the complete picture: quality assurance plus environmental and ethical verification.
ALTR: Setting the Industry Benchmark
In a landmark achievement, ALTR Created Diamonds became the world's first diamond grower to receive SCS-007 certification with a perfect 100/100 sustainability rating. This makes them the first in their industry to achieve a true net-zero carbon footprint—a historic milestone.
ALTR's operations run on 100% renewable energy, use less than 25% of the water required for mined diamonds, and incorporate recycled precious metals in all their jewelry. Their vertically integrated model means they control every step from diamond growing to final polishing, ensuring complete transparency and accountability.
What This Means for Consumers
SCS-007 certification represents the diamond industry's most comprehensive sustainability standard. As consumers increasingly demand transparency and ethical production, this certification provides the verification needed to make informed purchasing decisions. With trailblazers like ALTR proving that perfect sustainability scores are achievable, the standard sets a new benchmark for what responsible diamond production should look like in the modern era.
