Jewelry retailers Olivia Landau, Founder and CEO of The Clear Cut, and Kyle Simon, Founder and COO, share how traceability is shaping the future of fine jewelry when dealing with consumers. Known for their education-first, digitally native approach, The Clear Cut helps consumers connect more deeply with their pieces by making transparency part of the story. In this conversation, they explore how traceability reflects their retail brand’s values, how consumer interest has evolved, and why verified origin is seen as the next frontier in luxury.

What does traceability mean to The Clear Cut, and how does it play within your values and the context of fine jewelry? At The Clear Cut, traceability isn’t just a feature it’s a reflection of our core values: education, transparency, and trust. As a digitally native brand, we’ve always believed our clients deserve to know exactly what they’re buying, where it came from, and who it impacts. Traceability allows us to bring the often opaque world of fine jewelry into the light, helping our customers feel confident that their most meaningful pieces align with their values. As a natural diamond industry, we have done a poor job of sharing the incredible story of natural diamonds. Tools like Tracr enable us to share these stories in a new compelling way.

                                Kyle Simon and Olivia Landau

Are customers asking about diamond origin, or is it something you educate them on? Has this changed over time? Early on, most clients didn’t know to ask. That’s where our role as educators came in. We’ve always made it a priority to guide clients through the diamond journey from mine to finger. Over the years, especially with growing interest in ethical sourcing and sustainability, we’ve seen a significant shift: customers are now asking the right questions. Origin, impact, and authenticity have become top of mind, especially among younger buyers. We expect this behavior to only continue moving forward.

Has traceability influenced any of your collections? Absolutely. We’ve built special capsule collections around traceable stones. These collections allow us to tell a deeper story not just about beauty and design, but about provenance, people, and positive impact. It’s a powerful way to connect our clients emotionally to the full journey of their jewelry. Our Tracr collection has been a huge success and has really resonated with our community.

Does having traceable items affect consumer perspective on non-traceable pieces? While not every diamond in the market is currently traceable, we’re seeing growing interest in transparency and a willingness to prioritize origin when it’s available. Our goal is to bridge that gap over time. Traceability is not every client’s top priority however clients do feel more comfortable knowing that it is an option for them. We believe that there is a halo effect for brands that offer traceable diamonds. Offering traceable goods does not negatively impact the non-traceable pieces.

You have a strong presence on social media – do you find any increased engagement when talking about traceability or transparency? Yes, without question. Our audience is hungry for real information, not just marketing fluff. Content that demystifies the supply chain, showcases partnerships with Botswana or Tracr, or spotlights sustainable practices always sparks high engagement. People want to buy something beautiful and meaningful and we’re giving them the knowledge to do that confidently.

Where do you see the future of traceability in the jewelry industry heading and what role will The Clear Cut play in that evolution? Traceability will become table stakes for the next generation of luxury. As technology improves and demand for ethical sourcing grows, brands that can offer verified, transparent supply chains will stand apart. The Clear Cut is proud to be at the forefront of this shift leveraging innovation, education, and our close partnerships to set a new standard. We see ourselves not just as participants, but as leaders shaping a more accountable and informed future for fine jewelry.

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