INTERVIEWS
Armaan Parikh is a Director at the Diarough Group and represents the third generation of the Parikh family in the diamond industry, a legacy that began with his grandfather in 1975. Since joining the business in 2013, Armaan has managed the group’s polished diamond operations in the key global hubs of Antwerp, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
We are incredibly proud to have been a founding member of the RJC. As a family business, we have always ensured that our values and principles sit at the heart of our operations and guide the way we conduct business. When the RJC was established, we immediately recognised it as an initiative that not only aligned with our principles but had the potential to implement ethical practices across the entire industry.
Our business spans much of the supply chain, giving us firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities within the industry. We saw the RJC as a unifying force, bringing together like-minded partners from across these sectors. The RJC has demonstrated how ethical business conduct can have a profound impact. By working together, organisations of every size can not only uphold best practices but also actively participate in industry-wide transformation. It is through this unity that we can continue to shape a more responsible future for the jewellery industry.
Responsible business is a founding principle of Diarough, and our commitment can be seen in our continuous efforts to uphold transparency, accountability, and ethical practices. We work hard to ensure that our efforts extend not only throughout our operations but encourage and support the efforts of our stakeholders both upstream and downstream, helping to shape a more responsible jewellery industry. We achieve this through our own internal initiatives and collaborate with industry bodies such as the RJC and the Watch and Jewellery Initiative, as we believe working together drives meaningful progress.
Inclusivity and equal employment rights have always been at the core of our values. We proudly adhere to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) and are immensely proud of our predominantly female skilled workforce, reinforcing our belief in fairness, opportunity, and empowerment.
One of our most significant recent initiatives has been our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative. Following a comprehensive audit, we have pledged to reduce our CO₂ emissions by half by 2030 – and are already achieving significant reductions – a commitment that underscores our responsibility to the environment and our dedication to continuous improvement in sustainability.
One of the most transformative (and encouraging) shifts in the industry has been the transition from internally driven ethical initiatives to consumer-driven expectations. What was once a voluntary commitment by businesses has now become a fundamental requirement, as consumers increasingly demand ethical sourcing, transparency, and sustainability as standard. The growing awareness and adoption of initiatives like those pioneered by the RJC have played a crucial role in this shift. This evolution has been overwhelmingly positive, driving greater accountability and inspiring widespread improvements across the industry. Transparency initiatives – such as traceability technologies and third-party certifications that are tailored to consumers – are now essential in meeting these expectations. We are proud to have been at the forefront of auditable transparency models, consistently exceeding global standards to ensure accountability at every stage.
As a founding member of the RJC, it has been a privilege to see its growth over the last 20 years as it becomes an organisation that is synonymous with quality, trust, and responsible business practices for both retailers and consumers alike.
Being part of this community has not only strengthened our practices but also highlighted the growing impact of responsible business on the individual level. Today, company goals pertaining to sustainability and ethics are not just industry-driven, they matter deeply to the end consumer, forming a deep part of what is often a very meaningful purchase. This consumer-driven shift continues to inspire us to lead by example, and continuous improvement remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our hopes are for a diamond industry that continues to evolve with responsible practices becoming not just an expectation but the standard across the entire supply chain, thus ensuring that every diamond tells a story of accountability, fairness, and positive impact. The RJC, as a unifying force, has been instrumental in driving this progress, and we believe its role will only continue to grow in significance.
By pioneering clear global standards and continuously raising the bar for responsible business conduct, we are certain that the RJC will not only remain a guardian of best practices but also strengthen its position as a catalyst for innovation in the industry. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, our hopes are for an industry that remains committed to meaningful action. With the RJC leading the way, we are confident that the future of the diamond industry will be one defined by trust, responsibility, and positive change.
