De Beers
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
De Beers Group's diamond jewellery brand.
We couldn't confirm where De Beers makes most of its natural diamond jewellery from own mines.
Also worth knowing
Most jewellery and watches are made in countries such as India and China, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere jewellery and watches are usually made, such as India and China, unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: Conflict-free: diamonds, gems and gold traced to the mine, lab-grown, recycled or Fairmined (the Kimberley Process alone isn't enough)
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Probably made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where De Beers makes most of its products, so this shows where jewellery and watches are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Thailand | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Italy | 10% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Switzerland | 10% | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Passes the raw-material check for jewellery and watches: conflict-free diamonds, gems and gold traced to the mine, lab-grown, recycled or Fairmined (the Kimberley Process alone isn't enough).
- Responsible Jewellery Council certified: Industry code for jewellery businesses covering human rights and responsible sourcing. Its Chain of Custody standard traces materials; the basic certification does not.
- Traces high-risk raw materials to the mine or farm and fixes problems found
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes De Beers Jewellers' diamonds come from De Beers' own mines in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada, plus some artisanal stones from Sierra Leone through GemFair, and are tracked to the mine with its Tracr system. De Beers Group is RJC Code of Practices certified (2024-2027, scope includes De Beers Jewellers), and jewellery makers must pass annual Best Practice Principles audits or hold RJC certification. Where the jewellery is cut, polished and made is not disclosed, gold sourcing is not described, and there is no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | De Beers UK Limited publishes a group modern slavery statement covering 11 entities; it names diamond sourcing and manufacturing and forced and child labour at artisanal mines supplying GemFair as priority risks. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report (latest edition 2024) does not assess jewellery brands. (2024 edition; latest is 2026) View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- RJC - De Beers Group member page · search the archive · RJC certification 0000 5734 valid 15 Oct 2024 to 15 Oct 2027
- RJC certificate - De Beers Group of Companies (2018) · search the archive · RJC scope covers De Beers Jewellers offices and retail stores worldwide
- JCK - De Beers second half 2026 · search the archive · Anglo American in final stages of selling De Beers in 2026
Published by De Beers or its owner
- De Beers - The Diamond Journey · search the archive · Diamonds from own mines in Botswana, Canada, Namibia, South Africa and GemFair; Tracr; BPP or RJC for jewellery partners; no AU stores
- UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry - De Beers UK Limited 2024 · search the archive · Group statement; priority risks include diamond manufacturing and forced/child labour at GemFair artisanal mines
- De Beers - Aura pear-shaped diamond ring (Australia site) · search the archive · Australian site offers add to bag and ships to the country browsed; no Australian stores
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is De Beers ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/de-beers, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded fine jewellery
No fine jewellery brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent De Beers.