Green Jewelry News

August, 2010
Vol. 3: No. 3

Green Jewelry News

Greetings!

Thank you for being a part of the Green Jewelry Community and taking the time to learn more about the issue involved in sourcing precious materials for jewelry.

In this issue you will find information about Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold, the ethics of gold, safe and sustainable studio practices, green jewelry classes, exhibitions, tips and more.

Next month, I travel to England to teach and lecture on Green Jewelry topics and network with other Green Jewelers. If you are in either the Derbyshire or Farnham Surrey area, please attend an event! I would love to meet you.

Thank you for doing your part to make the world a better place.

Christine Dhein
Green Jewelry Educator

FLO and ARM Launch Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold
Alleviating Poverty � Minimizing Eco impacts

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) have developed the first ever third party independent certification for gold to bring about social, environmental and economic development in artisanal and small-scale mining communities. The new Fairtrade and Fairmined gold standards mean that interested businesses can use the FAIRTRADE and FAIRMINED marks on certified gold products including jewelry.

Globally, over 100 million people who depend directly or indirectly on artisanal and small-scale mining are trapped in unfair supply chains, and struggle to get a fair price for the gold they mine. The democratic organization of miners, combined with added premium and increased access to markets, will allow miners' organizations to improve the technology and working conditions at their mining sites, and also to develop community projects in education, health, environmental restoration and other forms of income. This would lead to more enduring and sustainable development in mining communities.

Artisanal and small scale miners produce just 15% of global annual gold supplies, but make up 90% of labour in gold extraction. Through Fairtrade and Fairmined certification, miners can improve their economic, social, labor and environmental conditions. Accordign to Cristina Echavarria, ARM�s Executive Director, "The Fairtrade and Fairmined Standards are the best standards in the market today for gold in terms of development impact on mining communities. They even set an example for the large-scale mining industry on issues such as traceability."

Fairtrade and Fairmined Standards Mean That:
1.     Miners will get a better price for their gold, with increased security of the Fairtrade guaranteed minimum price.
2.     Miners will receive an additional 10% Fairtrade social premium and an additional ecological premium of 5% for for gold that has been extracted without the use of chemicals and with strict ecological restoration requirements.
3.     Miners have the opportunity to empower themselves through their organization.
4.     Certified miners must use safe and responsible practices for management of toxic chemicals in gold recovery, such as mercury and cyanide.
5.     The Fairtrade and Fairmined gold will not contribute to conflict or violence.

Learn more about the Fairtrade Labeling Organization.
Learn more about the Alliance for Responsible Mining.

Protect Alaska's Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine
Earthworks Asks Jewelry Retailers for Help

Photo: Sockeye salmon Photo credit: Ben Knight

Anglo-American, a multinational corporation, would like to build the largest mine in North America at the headwaters of Alaska's Bristol Bay. The Bristol Bay watershed supports the world's largest remaining wild sockeye salmon fishery -- an economic engine for the region.

The Pebble Mine could generate 10 billion tons of mine waste, and destroy salmon habitat.

Jewelry retailers are important in this fight because jewelry demand represents 80% of global mine production of gold. Over 30 jewelry retailers, including Tiffany & Co, Zales, and Helzberg Diamonds have already signed the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge, voicing support for Bristol Bay protection by pledging not to buy gold from the Pebble mine.

Please join Earthworks' campaign by writing a letter to Signet Jewelers (owner of Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry) asking them to sign the Bristol Bay pledge to support lasting protection for Bristol Bay. If you are a jewelery retailer, please sign the Bristol Bay Protection Pledge.
Learn more.
Take action!

Ethics of Gold
Report from JCK Magazine

Read a brief outline of current issues and recent news with Conflict Gold, the No Dirty Gold Campaign, and the Pebble Mine in Alaska's Bristol Bay from JCK Magazine.

Safe and Sustainable
Studio Practices
Dermatitis and the Studio Jeweler
by Charles Lewton-Brain

Dermatitis is a group of skin conditions that may often be contracted by exposure to chemicals and metals, and is a real hazard for jewelers. In his article on The Ganoksin Project, Charles Lewton-Brain, author of The Jewelry Workshop Safety Report, lists the symptoms, the most common causes for jewelers, and preventative measures that can be taken. Safe working habits are the most important first step. Avoiding skin contact with solvents and chemicals by using tongs, wearing gloves, reducing the use of solvents and chemicals, and substituting manual cleaning methods. Lewton-Brain applies barrier cream to his hands before working in the studio to protect him from copper oxides, to which he has developed sensitivity. Read the complete article.

Jewelry Training for Women
Survivors in India a Success
Donate Tools to Help Expand the Program

Green Jewelry Movement member Dianna Badalament trains Indian slave trade survivors

Dianna Badalament, recently traveled India, to teach jewelry making skills to abused women. The organization, Made By Survivors, is a non-profit that provides skill training to survivors of human trafficking and slavery. Based in Kolkata, Dianna joined the program to introduce basic metalsmithing and jewelry making skills to a selected group of women. The project is intended to give the victims with little income potential an alternative to working in brothels or becoming re-enslaved.

Both the Jewelry Artisans Collective and the Revere Academy donated over $1500 in used hand tools for Dianna to take with her. When they received the tools, Dianna stated, "Made By Survivors and I were overwhelmed at the generosity of the San Francisco jewelry community. The donated tools are essential in stocking our metalsmithing studio in order to teach the survivors a greater breadth of skills. These tools will also enable me to offer a learning opportunity to new girls who would like to join the program."

Dianna plans to return to India in several months to continue her work with the program. To donate tools or materials, contact Jenny Reeves at the JAC.
Learn more.

Tips from our Readers
Jewelers Share Green Studio Practices

Sourcing Local and Fairtrade Gemstones

A reader from New York had a difficult time finding ethically sourced semi-precious stones for her jewelry line. Here is her tip on how she found stone suppliers that fit her criteria.

"Initially, I consulted my minerals/gemstones directory book. I looked for stones that were native to America and Australia. I targeted stones native to first world countries because they have stricter regulations with mining and health of workers. Once I knew which stones I was looking for, I did a search online and followed links to small or family run businesses that mine and sell these stones. I was so surprised at how well this online search worked compared to doing searches for 'fair trade stones/ minerals', 'ecologically mined stones' or other variations of these types of searches."

Remember to ask each supplier detailed questions about their practices for mining and cutting to be sure the stones you purchase fit your own criteria for being ethically and environmentally sound. Consider sourcing stones locally to reduce shipping.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and learn more about the Green Jewelry Movement. Check out this month's events, and send this newsletter to a friend to help spread the word about using recycled and ethically sourced jewelry materials along with eco-friendly studio practices.

Sincerely,

Christine Dhein
Green Jewelry Educator

In This Issue

FLO and ARM Launch Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold

Help Protect Alaska's Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine

Ethics of Gold

Safe and Sustainable Studio Practices

Jewelry Training for Women Survivors in India a Success

Tips from Our Readers

Green Jewelry Archives
Now Available On-Line!

� March, 2010