After five years of searching for master’s program that would teach me how to marry business acumen with my strong social and environmental ethics, I found the SIT Graduate Institute. The Master’s Program in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management allowed me to examine values-based business and corporate responsibility, which has since served as the foundation of my career. As a student, I founded the Net Impact chapter at SIT, the first non-MBA chapter in the country, which provides a forum for advancing what is now known as “sustainable business” practices.
As my practicum, I was the founding director of CSRwire, a communication service devoted to promoting corporate social responsibility. It has since grown into the most comprehensive source on the Web for sustainability reports, CSR event listings and positive corporate news. Though my career as a sustainability professional initiated at SIT, it was only recently (9 years later) did I find my niche.
I was keenly aware of the environmental and human rights issues associated with the traditional diamond and jewelry industry, so I when I got married, I sought a ring that was not only gorgeous and unique, but one that I would feel good about wearing.
The process of finding such a ring proved challenging and frustrating. Dozens of jewelers told me that what I searched for didn’t exist and tried to sell me a stone they claimed was “conflict-free.” It took months of dedicated effort working closely with suppliers, designers and manufacturers, before I was finally able to create a sustainable wedding ring.
The process made me realize that a need existed in the market for a company to help people find jewelry that they not only truly love, but are proud to wear. Traditionally, jewelry is judged by the four C’s: cut, clarity, color, and cut. I pose that there are actually 5 C’s by which to judge jewelry – consciousness being the fifth factor.
Seeing the amazing accomplishments of other SIT students and alums inspired me to create a business of offering conscious consumers an alternative to the traditional fine jewelry industry. Like many others, I appreciate beauty and craftsmanship, and strongly believe that both should be attainable without having to compromise my values.
The conflict issue surrounding traditionally mined diamonds surfaced a few years ago with the movie Blood Diamond. That provoked significant change in the industry, but was only one part of the story. Environmental and social implications associated with traditional mining practices have largely gone unaddressed.
C5 company, llc is a retailer of ethical and sustainable fine jewelry and gems. Our jewelry is made from recycled metals and either lab-created or ethically sourced stones. Custom jewelry is produced in the United States as are the retail pieces we will soon be offering through the website.
I have been asked many times if I got into this business because I really love jewelry. My answer is that my passion lies in sustainability. Jewelry is just the means by which I help people align their purchasing decisions with their environmental and social values.
Visit www.C5company.com to learn more about sustainable fine jewelry.
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