About

We live only to discover beauty.
All else is a form of waiting.

Companies

Quite simply, the HRA Group
has revolutionized the role of
the Diamantaire.

Quite simply, the HRA Group has revolutionized the role of the Diamantaire. We are a marketing company with the most efficient and innovative distribution channels for origin-based diamonds.

In the market that is the 21st century, we believe a diamond company cannot rely solely on its manufacturing prowess to meet the challenges with which it is faced, but must innovate and remain

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Crossworks

Tradition Enhanced

Crossworks Manufacturing is our comprehensive diamond manufacturing division. It was established in 2008 in response to the burgeoning demand for Canadian diamonds, and now comprises three state-of-the-art facilities in Sudbury, Ontario; Yellowknife, North West Territories; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Diamonds: Pure and simple.

HRA Group produces among the world's very finest cut and polished loose diamonds. Our diamonds are produced through our manufacturing division, Crossworks Manufacturing, and sold loose, or as high-quality set jewellery through our HRA jewellery division.

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History

HRA Group was founded nearly
thirty years ago, in 1982, and
opened our North American
head office in
Vancouver, Canada.

HRA Group was founded nearly thirty years ago, in 1982, and opened our North American head office in Vancouver, Canada. A year later we opened a distribution office in the United Sates, and by the end of the 1980s HRA had become a primary vendor to many U.S.-based diamond and jewellery retailers. With the discovery of Canadian diamonds, the Group established a polishing facility in Vancouver and a jewellery manufacturing division in 2000, significantly expanding our portfolio to finish and market Canadian diamonds.

Our expertise and competence were rewarded in 2003 by by Rio Tinto Diamonds (RTD), naming us a Select Diamantaire and providing the Group with expanded access to high-quality rough diamonds. The last four years have been particularly noteworthy for

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Corporate Governance & Social Responsibility

HRA Group is committed to the principle that fair and productive business practices reach far beyond the immediate bounds of the business itself.

HRA Group is committed to the principle that fair and productive business practices reach far beyond the immediate bounds of the business itself. Good corporate governance is only a part of social responsibility. The nature of the diamond industry is particularly complex, encompassing a long chain of production, from exploration, to mine, to consumer, that requires the skills of many hundreds of people performing a great variety of jobs in locations spread around the world. The diamond a consumer finally holds in her hand is a small miracle. The industry also operates in environmentally sensitive regions which require extra safeguards and the good will of peoples native to those regions. HRA is keenly aware of the large social footprint of the diamond industry beyond the walls of its own facilities, and understands that with careful stewardship the industry can continue to show positive changes from which all will benefit.

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Responsible Jewellery Council

Responsible Jewellery Council

HRA has been a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Formed in 2005, and based in London, England, The Council is an international not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to support consumer confidence in the jewellery industry by promoting responsible business practices. The Council is comprised of more than 260 member companies whose businesses, large or small, are part of every segment of the diamond and gold jewellery industries, from mining operations to retail storefronts.

In support of its mission to advance responsible ethical, social, and environmental practices among its members, the Council has developed three foundational policies which each member must uphold: Anti-trust, Confidentiality, and the Environment. Prospective members must submit to a rigorous certification process in order to gain membership. This process is based on demonstrating business practices that accord with standards set by The Council, and which are independently audited; re-certification is required every three years, in most cases.


www.responsiblejewellery.com


Kimberley Process

Kimberley Process

Canada is a signatory to the Kimberley Process and, therefore, HRA strictly adheres to its dictates.

The Kimberley Process certification scheme was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The Process is designed to prevent the profits of diamond sales supporting violent or rebel movements against legitimate, UN-recognized governments. It was specifically brought into being in response to conflicts in Africa, especially in Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. The Process controls the production and trade of rough diamonds, and currently has 49 members that represent 79 countries which account for nearly the entire global production of diamonds - 99.8%.

As the Process is aimed at stemming the movement of so-called "blood diamonds," members are required to certify rough diamonds as "conflict-free," thereby excluding such diamonds from the stream

practices, to generate real social value in the community, and to treat the environment with the utmost respect.

To maintain compliance with these Principles, all De Beers clients must submit a rigorous annual self-assessment which is audited by a third party.


www.kimberleyprocess.com


De Beers Best Practice
Principles

De Beers Best Practice
Principles

As a De Beers Sightholder, HRA Group strictly abides by the De Beers ethical code of conduct, known as Diamond Best Practice Principles. These Principles set out strict standards of conduct that must be consistently met in three areas: Business Responsibilities, Social Responsibilities, and Environmental Responsibilities. Each ensures not only full compliance with the law, but demands responsible and ethical action to uphold integrity in business

practices, to generate real social value in the community, and to treat the environment with the utmost respect.

To maintain compliance with these Principles, all De Beers clients must submit a rigorous annual self-assessment which is audited by a third party.


www.debeersgroup.com


Canadian Diamond Code
of Conduct

Canadian Diamond Code
of Conduct

HRA was instrumental in helping to establish the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct in 2007.

The CDCC is a voluntary code of conduct that provides assurance of the authenticity of Canadian diamonds. It does this by establishing a record of origin for each diamond sold as "Canadian" from one of the four Canadian diamond mines.

Canada is now the third-largest producer of diamonds and Canadian diamonds are sought both for their intrinsic quality and because they have been mined in accordance with strict social and environmental standards. Regions within which the [Canadian] diamond industry operates have benefitted through employment, education, and the development of local expertise.

Retailers who subscribe to the Code will display the sign of the Code on their premises and follow a specific standard of sale: each Canadian diamond sold must be accompanied by the Code certificate and an invoice that records a unique Diamond Identification Number (DIN) that guarantees its Canadian origin. Rigorous Canadian diamond mining practices, together with the Code's system of assuring a diamond's origin mean that some Canadian diamonds are sold at a slight premium over other diamonds. HRA believes any extra cost associated with Canadian diamonds is paid back to the consumer in the form of everlasting beauty, as well as peace of mind.


www.canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.ca


Diamond Bourse of Canada

Diamond Bourse of Canada

HRA is a founding member of the Diamond Bourse of Canada.

The Bourse was established in 2008, in Toronto, in response to the dramatic growth of diamond production in Canada over the past decade. The main purpose of the Bourse is to help the Canadian diamond industry achieve a stronger position among the global diamond trade and the 28 other bourses [around the world], especially as Canada is now the third largest producer of diamonds by value - $2.4 billion in 2008. The national, highly visible Bourse, located in the centre of Toronto's financial district, is entirely dedicated to the business of diamond trading and brings added credibility to the industry in Canada. Merchants can now use the

Bourse to meet for the purpose of buying or selling rough and polished diamonds, and take advantage of other services and amenities: Kimberley Process certification, state-of-the art diamond technologies, and shipping.

The Bourse was created by contributions from founding members, such as HRA, and the governments of Ontario and the North West Territories. Its operations are funded by membership and service fees.


www.diamondbourse.ca


The World Jewellery
Confederation (CIBJO)

The World Jewellery
Confederation (CIBJO)

HRA has been a member of The World Jewellery Confederation.

CIBJO - the acronym comes from its earlier, French title - is an international organization whose large membership spans the entire jewellery, gemstone, and precious metals industries, from mine to market. Most of the world's leading jewellery producers and retailers are members of CIBJO. Its mandate is to promote international co-operation within the industry, respond to issues that concern it, and protect the confidence of consumers world-wide.

As the diamond industry is an integral part of the jewellery industry, HRA's membership in CIBJO allows it access to the leading edge of industry developments and some of its most influential leaders. The kind of regular communication this relationship provides enables HRA to respond quickly to trends and changes wherever they may occur along the line of supply, production, or trade.


www.cibjo.org


Diamond Manufacturers
Association of Canada

Diamond Manufacturers
Association of Canada

Both HRA Group and our manufacturing company, Crossworks Manufacturing, are members of the Diamond Manufacturing Association of Canada.

DMAC members observe the highest standards of business and personal conduct in all matters relating to the diamond and jewellery industries. It's mandate is to promote Canadian diamonds according to the fair and ethical practices described in the Code of Conduct of

the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, of which DMAC is a member. In Canada, DMAC liaises with government about issues relating to the diamond industry; represents Canadian manufacturers at events; works to improve access to Canadian rough diamonds; and facilitates communication between its members.


www.diamondmanufacturers.ca