Front row: Christine Dhein, Genevieve Ennis Hume, Christina Miller, Maya Spaull. Second row: Bill Gallagher, Dyan Oldenburg, Eric Braunwart, Toby Pomeroy, Jennifer Krill. Last row: Larry Bohlen, Greg Valerio, Marc Choyt. 

A diverse, international group of jewelry, environmental, and mining stakeholders convened in Santa Fe, October 29-30, 2011, and agreed on a common vision of a world in which jewelry, from mine to market, benefits the environment and everyone that touches it.

Participants identified an initial goal to broadly introduce certified Fairtrade and Fairmined gold to the US market in 2012.

The group will undertake a critical examination of standards and work to ensure the best outcome for communities and the environment through the mineral supply chain. The group also sees emerging opportunities to build a market for transparent and traceable ethical metals, and discussed other areas of concern including colored gems, diamonds, other precious metals and manufacturing.

Fair Jewelry Action and Ethical Metalsmiths hosted the dialogue attended by Larry Bohlen (Green Leaf Gold), Eric Braunwart (Columbia Gem House), Marc Choyt (Fair Jewelry Action and Reflective Images Inc.), Christine Dhein, (Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and Green Jewelry News), Bill Gallagher (Lori Bonn Design, Inc.), Genevieve Ennis Hume (Hume Atelier, Canada), Christina Miller (Ethical Metalsmiths), Toby Pomeroy (TOBY POMEROY Jewelry and Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), and Greg Valerio (Fair Jewellery Action, United Kingdom).

Fairtrade and Fairmined gold certification is the result of a joint effort between Fairtrade International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), who combined their expertise to enable artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) to improve their livelihoods through a set of standards for responsible mining, which the miners have to fulfill in order to get certified. Standards include democratic organization, safe working practices, management of toxic chemicals, as well as respect for the environment and women's rights. Certified miners will receive a guaranteed Fairtrade and Fairmined minimum price, which is democratically reinvested in community projects and improving miners' operations. Mining organizations will be audited by FLO-CERT, an independent, international certification body, to ensure compliance.

Observing the meeting were Jennifer Krill (Earthworks) and Maya Spaull (Fair Trade USA).

For more information, visit www.fairgold.org, 

www.communitymining.org, and fairtrade.net.

Take the FT/FM Gold Survey

Deadline is December 15, 2011 Take the survey.

 

  

Ethical Metalsmiths and Fair Jewelry Action, are investigating the potential market interest in Fairtrade and Fairmined gold in the US market.

Fairtrade and Fairmined certification for gold from artisanal and small scale mines is the result of a partnership between the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) and Fairtrade International (FLO). A first step in being part of this exciting new alternative for US jewelers is to let us know your views so that we can accurately assess the potential demand for Fairtrade and Fairmined gold.

Regardless of how much recycled metals jewelers use, precious metal will continue to be mined. Fairtrade and Fairmined certification ensures that when consumers purchase jewelry they know that the gold it contains has contributed to improving the lives of gold miners - the fifteen million people who make up 90% of the miners but produce 10% of the global supply, many working for less than $2 / day. 

Like other Fairtrade certified products on the market, miners receive a Fairtrade Premium, which the communities democratically decide how to spend on social development projects. Fairtrade and Fairmined gold already has a strong market in the UK and it is spreading to Europe and Canada. Learn more and take the survey.