Ruff&Cut
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Jewelry |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Wade Watson |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Fine jewelry, including conflict-free diamonds, gemstones, recycled metals |
Ruff&Cut is a fine jewelry brand from the United States, established by Wade Watson in 2008. The company specializes in ethically sourced pieces, incorporating conflict-free diamonds, gemstones, and recycled metals into their collections.
Overview
Based in New York City, Ruff&Cut distributes its jewelry through online platforms, retail outlets, and wholesale partnerships. The brand name "Ruff&Cut" is inspired by the ruff sandpiper bird native to southern Africa as well as the contrast between rough and polished diamonds.
History
Though Ruff&Cut officially debuted in September 2008, Wade Watson began laying the groundwork in January 2007. Motivated by a desire to launch a socially conscious jewelry line after the September 11 attacks, Watson leveraged his background in diamond mining to prioritize conflict-free diamonds alongside recycled 18k gold and sterling silver. He collaborated with designers such as Todd Reed and Me&Ro to create environmentally responsible collections, culminating in the launch of the company’s website later that year.
Social responsibility
The company allocates 10% of its earnings to charitable organizations including Shine on Sierra Leone (SOSL) and the St. George Foundation. Watson’s mining enterprise, Target Resources, has contributed to infrastructure development within Sierra Leone’s mining regions. By utilizing diamonds and resources from Target, Watson guarantees that Ruff&Cut’s pieces contain fair trade stones. He has actively supported sustainability and empowerment initiatives, participating in events benefiting groups like the Women's Coalition for Empowerment and Opportunities as well as UNICEF.
Authentication
Every piece of jewelry is crafted in the United States using ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones. Each item comes with a certificate verifying its design details and diamond specifications. The brand features rough diamonds that remain uncut and unpolished, often paired with stones that have been cut and polished.