Code of Conduct

OUR VISION

Surita du Toit Design Atelier aims to become an established exporter of fine designer jewellery in South Africa. To expand and grow the industry within South Africa by encouraging fellow craftspeople to participate in our trade organizations, and to attract new participants into the industry through the transfer of skills and knowledge. To provide a healthy and constructive working environment to prospective employees, and unmatched personal service to clients, both locally and internationally.

OUR MISSION

To create fine designer jewellery according to the company’s brand aesthetic with transparency regarding the nature and origin of the materials used. Delivering unmatched service with expertise, while aiding the growth of our industry through a transfer of skills. To educate, empower and inspire, both the public and fellow creators.

OUR VALUES

Integrity 

To ensure that in all transactions the JCSA’s code of conduct is upheld and adhered to.

Quality

To produce jewellery with fine craftmanship that will withstand regular wear and to advise the customer when an item requires special care.

Accountability

To stand by our product and take responsibility for our professional judgements when it turns out we were wrong.

Transparency

To help our customers make informed decisions about their purchases and disclose all information available to us regarding gemstone treatments and the country of origin. To admit when we don’t know rather than misinform.

Community

To help the local industry grow by offering mentorship and guidance to young artisans wishing to establish their own businesses in the industry or further their education in gemology.

 

As a member of The Jewellery Council of South Africa, Surita du Toit Fine Jewellery (Pty) Ltd. has undertaken to uphold the below code of ethics and conduct. If you feel that we are in breach of this code, you may submit a request to The Jewellery Council of South Africa for arbitration.

JCSA CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT

This member has pledged to:

  1. Conduct business and treat customers in a manner befitting the status of a Jewellery Council member at all times;
  2. Ensure that every purchaser is a satisfied customer and renders prompt and efficient service;
  3. Offer service based on the highest ethical standards;
  4. Maintain the highest level of personal and professional integrity;
  5. Earn, establish and maintain a reputation for giving value at a fair price;
  6. Promote goodwill and communication between Jewellery Council members;
  7. Refrain from belittling the value and/or quality of merchandise supplied by competitors/colleagues;
  8. Maintain sound business relationships with suppliers to provide the best ultimate service to customers;
  9. Submit to arbitration in case of a dispute between member and customer, member and supplier, or member and member;
  10. Avoid untruthful or misleading statements in publicity and/or advertising

 

Are you thinking of getting engaged soon?

Book a free consultation (in person or via Zoom) and let me help you bring your idea to life. Free nationwide door-to-door shipping is included on all orders over R1500.

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In a hurry?

Shop off-the-shelf designs that have already been manufactured.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work? Where do I start?

The best place to start is with the gemstone that will be the central feature of the ring because this dictates many of the other proportions of the piece. For a detailed breakdown of the process, click here.

Can I bring my own diamond or other gemstones?

Yes, you are more than welcome to do that. Many people inherit a stone from a family member or would like to reuse a stone they bought on another occasion. That is perfectly fine with me.

What metals do you work in?

I work in all precious metals commonly used for jewellery, so that would be sterling silver, argentium silver, yellow gold and white gold (9K, 14K, 18K), and platinum. For more information on precious metals and the difference between them, click here.

What is the difference between white gold and platinum?

Platinum is an element on the periodic table, a metal in its own right, while white gold is an alloy of pure yellow gold and other metals. Here is a bit of history:

In the late 19th century bench jewellery was revolutionised by the invention of the
pressurised oxygen tank, or liquid oxygen, which for the first time became
commercially available at affordable prices. This led to the development of the
oxyacetylene mixing torch, invented in France by Edmond Fouché and Charles
Picard, and for the first time made possible a flame that could reach the
temperatures required for solid platinum (Pt) jewellery manufacturing.

Platinum quickly emerged as the new darling in the world of fine jewellery, with its
brilliant white colour it complimented white diamonds, which thanks to De Beers
were having a moment at the same time too, and its fantastic tensile strength
made extremely delicate designs possible for the first time in history.

With the end of the Edwardian era and the start of WWI, platinum all but disappeared in
jewellery, due to its usefulness as a catalyst in explosive devices but
experienced a brief period of resurging glory (the Art Deco period) between the
great wars, mostly thanks to the discovery of the Merensky Reef, a platinum
deposit which stretches from northern Gauteng into Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

During WWII the US government declared platinum a metal of strategic importance, and almost
completely banned its use in anything outside of military applications. This
led to the development of a new gold alloy we know today as white gold.

White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and other metals such as silver, copper and
zinc, which are common in other gold alloys, but with the addition of palladium
or nickel to bleach out the yellow colour. Because its base is still yellow
metal, it isn’t quite white and is usually plated with another, whiter metal to
create the crisp white finish consumers expect. This used to be done with
rhodium (Rh), but after that metal’s price skyrocketed in recent years, it has
been replaced by other metals.

Nickel alloys have almost completely fallen out of use because most people are
allergic to them. It perseveres in mass production white gold jewellery though,
so be sure to ask before you make a purchase. My preferred alloy contains 10%
palladium. Although the palladium content makes it quite a bit more expensive
than the nickel alloys, it has good tensile strength, is unlikely to cause
allergic reactions, and has a white enough finish for it to still appear white
even without the plating.

Because it contains gold (Au), white gold alloy fineness (purity) is expressed the same
way as yellow gold, in karatage (9K, 14K, 18K) or parts in 1000 (375, 585, 750). In South Africa platinum jewellery is usually 95% pure Pt, with a 5%
copper or ruthenium alloy.

You can read more about the composition of white gold here.

Can I buy a diamond from you?

Yes, I source quality diamonds based on your requirements. During your consultation we can discuss the pros and cons of both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. I usually call a few options for you to view before making your decision. I do not keep diamonds on the premises for security reasons, so you will need to book this viewing in advance. For more information on how to choose a natural diamond, click here. For more information on laboratory-grown diamonds, click here.

What if I don't want a diamond?

I get you. There are plenty of other options. Moissanite is increasingly popular as a replacement for diamond, and lots of people are opting for coloured gemstones instead. I can source whatever you need. Click here to browse a selection of coloured gemstones I offer on behalf of a third party seller. Like with diamonds you will need to book viewings in advance because I need time to request the stone from the supplier.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is a man-made gem which has very similar properties to diamond, although not quite as hard. Click here to read more about this affordable alternative.

What other services do you offer?

Other services include remodeling of old jewellery and insurance valuations. For a list of my services, click here.

Can I see some of the things you have made?

My social media accounts are really the best place to see this, but I have a small gallery on the website which you can find here.