We acknowledge there are many complex issues involved in the sourcing and supply of materials to make truly ethical jewellery. Since the inception of the brand, Ruth has used old cuts of precious stones that have been recycled from centuries past. Although it began as a passion for reviving historical jewels, it has more recently become increasingly relevant to our environmental impact and ethos. Our Old Cut diamonds date back to Victorian and Georgian times and have been rescued from jewels throughout Europe.
Gemstones of more recent origins are sourced in the most responsible manner that we can, adhering to the Kimberley Process for our diamonds, and only sourcing our coloured gemstones from specific trusted suppliers, whom are able to offer traceability, avoiding conflict zones. By questioning the ideals of industry deemed perfection and flawless beauty, we choose to embrace the natural allure and unique character that a gemstone can hold.
We use antique (or ‘Old Cut’) diamonds throughout our collections. Not only because we love the history that these stones carry, but because we adore their gentle sparkle and unique character. Our antique diamonds are ‘rescued’ from historical jewels by our suppliers who are based in London, Antwerp and Italy. There is no way of knowing their exact provenance, but identifiable markers in their shape and facets point to the timeframe in which they were cut. They pre-date the commercial certification categories of the 4C’s, and were rather valued for their unique beauty.
Before the mass production of stones cut to precise specifications, diamonds were all cut individually by hand, making each one completely unique. Cut to show-off their beauty under candlelight, they emit a delicate and understated sparkle. Our diamonds date back to the Georgian and Victorian eras; each carrying a unique history, while showcasing the diamond cutter’s skill and craftsmanship. They are the perfect choice for those who appreciate craft and heritage.
A raw, or rough, diamond is the precious mineral in its most natural state - uncut, in its pure form as created by the environmental forces of nature. By leaving the stone uncut, we are leaving it as a true expression of itself. These pure, untouched treasures of nature are our first source of inspiration and inspired Ruth's first expressions in fine jewellery when she started developing the Lustre Collection at the beginning of her career. Perfect for those seeking an understated jewel.
We source a number of unique included diamonds for our designs that Ruth selects for their singular character and beauty. Alluring internal arrangements of tiny mineral elements turn the stones into tiny works of art – natural expressions of light and dark. The colouration of these diamonds varies from almost black to icy white, with speckles and flecks producing their mottled effect. They’re a perfect choice for those seeking a jewel with truly individual characteristics.
We work with Ocean Diamonds, one of the world's leading marine diamond specialists, to source these rare stones. Centuries ago, marine diamonds began their journey to the ocean: unearthed from the land and carried along by the powerful flow of rivers until they reach their resting place on the sea bed. A team of professional divers responsibly source them off the west coast of South Africa. The divers venture less than a kilometre from the shore into calm waters by boat, and dive up to 12 metres. They discover and collect the diamonds from the ocean floor, leaving minimal trace on the environment, and use 'collecting' equipment made by local communities. If you have a personal connection to the sea and its natural treasures, these stones will resonate with you.
Several years ago, Ruth dreamed up a design for a ring with a very unique diamond: she wanted to retain the integrity of the stone's natural form, combined with the skillful artistry of the dying craft of cutting diamonds by hand. She worked with master diamond cutters in Antwerp to create a unique cut that imparts the natural shape of the diamond in its raw state, while adding facets that compliment it and add sparkle.
Each RT Hand Cut Diamond is unique and we use them in one-of-a-kind designs that showcase their individual beauty. They are individually cut from our selection of raw diamonds.
Our approach to coloured stones is discerning. We lean to a colour palette that resonates best with our organic designs whereby consistency can be challenging, given that colour is a result of trace elements present during the formation of the stones. This completely natural and unpredictable process is, for us, a celebration of the wonder of nature, and we seek out stones that stand out for their uniqueness.
For our diamonds we favour a tonal palette on the spectrum of yellow through to brown, and pale to deep grey. For sapphires we generally opt for colours that give a sense of being viewed under water – pale, gentle tones in a palette of blues, greens, greys, and pinks. Our rubies tend toward pinkish red, and our aquamarines are pale and clear.
Our gemstones can be traced to the following locations
Angola: yellow diamond
Australia: blue sapphire, champagne diamond
Brazil: morganite, emerald, beryl, green amethyst
Botswana: grey diamond
Cambodia: blue sapphire
China: cultured freshwater pearls
Kenya: tourmaline, aquamarine
Madagascar: green sapphire, pink sapphire, aquamarine, tourmaline, tourmaline
Mozambique: morganite, tourmaline
Namibia: white diamond
Nigeria: tourmaline, aquamarin
South Africa: grey diamond
Sri Lanka: blue sapphire, green sapphire, pink sapphire
Tanzania: ruby, aquamarine
Thailand: blue sapphire, green sapphire, ruby
USA: Montana sapphire
Zambia: emerald, aquamarine
If you’d like to create a piece with certified or lab grown diamonds, sourced to mine gemstones or Ocean Diamonds please get in touch with our team to discuss the options.
Our jewellery is handcrafted at our London Atelier using recycled gold and responsibly sourced gemstones
Each of our jewels is imbued with a sense of discovery and is a timeless celebration of unconventional beauty
For over twenty years we have been perfecting our alternative, non traditional production techniques with careful attention to detail
We offer complimentary, fully insured and tracked worldwide shipping on all orders, delivered in our signature R.T packaging