CONFLICT FREE DIAMONDS
Frosted goes above and beyond the current industry standards to offer Conflict Free Diamonds that have been selected for their ethical and environmentally responsible origins. Jewelers that offer “conflict free” diamonds are limiting themselves to the Kimberley Process’ definition, which narrowly defines conflict diamonds as rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments.
Our suppliers demonstrate a robust chain of custody protocol for their diamonds and have the ability to track and segregate diamonds by origin. These suppliers are required to source diamonds that originate from specific mine operators who follow internationally recognized labor, trade, and environmental standards.
RECYCLED GOLD JEWELRY
As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility, Frosted primarily uses recycled and re-refined gold in our fine jewelry. Our precious metals are high quality and responsibly sourced.
WHY WE USE RECYCLED MATERIALS
Dirty gold mining has a history of civil war, labor abuses, and environmental devastation. Metal mining, and gold mining in particular, is one of the most environmentally destructive types of mining, and gold miners often earn low wages in dangerous working conditions.
Our objective is to help diminish the negative impacts of dirty gold by reducing the demand for newly mined metals and contributing to programs dedicated to improving mining practices.
QUALITY AND ORIGIN
We use recycled precious metals for our products. Our precious metals are sourced from certified responsible refiners that have been audited for standards set by organizations such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative and London Bullion Market Association. Currently, our gold fine jewelry is made of 93% recycled gold and our silver fine jewelry is made of 99.8% recycled silver. We continue to work with our suppliers to increase the usage of recycled metal in our products. Limited supply in the market poses a challenge to exclusively source recycled platinum, so we work with our suppliers to source recycled platinum when available and from refiners that are known to use recycled materials in their platinum products. Current disruptions in the supply chain during the COVID-19 crisis may also affect the availability of recycled precious metal. Frosted remains committed to sourcing recycled materials when possible.
Our precious metal comes from numerous sources, including post-consumer materials, such as jewelry, industrial-use metals, and electronics components; material from in-house recycling, refining, and product manufacturing or other secondary sources; and investment gold and gold-bearing product. Currently we do not offer components and findings, like peg heads, posts, clasps, tennis bracelet mountings, and chains, from recycled sources due to limited availability. We are working with our suppliers to increase the availability of these components made from recycled sources.
COLORED GEMSTONES
Colored gemstones are a vibrant and distinctive choice and have been sought after for centuries. We strive to offer gemstones sourced in alignment with safe working conditions and environmentally responsible principles. Many obstacles still exist in obtaining information about gemstone mining conditions around the world which makes it challenging to trace some gemstone origins and track the conditions under which they were mined.
By continually working with our colored gemstone suppliers to improve standards and traceability, we strive to promote higher standards for gemstone sourcing to transform dangerous mining conditions and encourage responsible practices. For instance, many of our sapphires originate from Sri Lanka, where miners employ techniques that minimize impact to the environment and operate in small cooperatives that share the costs, labor, and profits from the sale of gemstones.