STR Responsible Sourcing (STR RS), a leading global provider of ethical sourcing consulting services, today announced that it has become the first auditing firm accredited by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) to verify members' compliance with the RJC System. The RJC System is a certification system that applies to all members' businesses that contribute to the diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewellery supply chain. The goal is to promote responsible ethical, human rights, social, and environmental practices throughout the jewellery supply chain from mine to retail.

"It is an honor to be the RJC's first accredited auditing company. This RJC accreditation extends to our 245 STR auditors located in 30 countries around the world," said Russ Childrey, Director of Business Development and Vice President, STR Responsible Sourcing. "We look forward to working with the organization's members to complete the independent third party verification process required by the RJC System."

STR RS works with over 6,000 manufacturers, importers, raw materials suppliers, and retailers around the globe assessing the quality, safety, and social standards of their products and systems. In addition to the new RJC accreditation, STR RS carries accreditations from the International Council of Toy Industries CARE Process certification (ICTI), the Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP), and Social Accountability International's (SAI) SA8000.

"RJC is delighted to announce STR Responsible Sourcing as RJC's first accredited auditing company. We look forward to being able to announce the first RJC Certified Members this year," said Michael Rae, RJC's Chief Executive Officer.

In addition to responsible sourcing services, STR's Quality Assurance division offers a broad range of onsite inspection and testing services for retailers and manufacturers of fine jewelry, costume jewelry, and watches. These services help companies ensure that their products meet regulatory and quality requirements, and exceed customers' expectations. STR provides inspection services in over 140 countries worldwide, and its CPSC accredited laboratories test for metal, cadmium, lead content, and plating thickness/fineness.

About STR Responsible Sourcing
STR Responsible Sourcing is a leading provider of corporate responsibility consulting services, which include monitoring, training, research, and program development. STR RS is a business unit within Specialized Technology Resources' Quality Assurance Division, which was founded in 1944. STR RS has offices in over 30 countries across five continents, and the reach to provide audit services in over 140 countries around the world. Visit STR at http://www.STRQuality.com.

About RJC
The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit organisation bringing together more than 230 member companies committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewellery industry from mine to retail. Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewellery products.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business operations. The Company also faces risks and uncertainties as described under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's prospectus filed with the SEC on November 9, 2009 and in subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or financial or operating results and actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

UL

UL

UL is a leading global provider of corporate responsibility auditing and ethical sourcing consulting services, which include monitoring, training, research, and program development. With offices in over 30 countries across five continents, UL Responsible Sourcing has the reach to provide audit services in over 140 countries around the world. UL is part of UL Verification Services, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Additional information about UL may be found at www.strquality.com

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