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Alice Rochester
27th March 2009 12:59

Fair trade gold has arrived (again!)

 

You may remember that last year we were getting excited because we had found a source for fairly traded 18ct white and yellow gold - well now we're even more excited because we've used it up! It has proven to be of real interest to a lot of people who are keen to know that they are doing their bit for the environment while still getting a pretty, bespoke piece of jewellery. The best bit now, though, is that the 18ct white gold we have just managed to source is in a more useful size for us to use which gives us greater flexibility in the designs we can create for you. (For those teccies amongst you, we've got 3.5mm square wire instead of 3mm round wire - believe me, it makes a lot of difference!!)

The gold is mined in the Choco region of Columbia by Artisan Small Scale miners (ASMs) who operate within Fairtrade Labelling Organization / Alliance for Responsible Mining's Fair Trade Principles. This means producers who comply with or are working towards compliance with the ARM's Standard for Fairtrade-certified artisanal gold and associated precious metals are paid fair prices.

The suppliers also have to have clear environmental management policies. They are required to do the following:

  1. a. Abide by national environmental legislation
  2. b. Practice analogue forestry (to preserve the environmental balance in the forests)
  3. c. Minimise water use and prevent pollution of water resources.
  4. d. Minimise the use of toxic chemicals, such as mercury and cyanide, in the mining and processing of precious metals
  5. e. Preserve ecosystems, particularly those that form the environment of indigenous people.

More information about Fairtrade can be found through these websites:

http://www.fairtrade.net

http://www.communitymining.org

More information about analogue forestry can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_forestry

By the way (talk about good timing!) it's Fairtrade fortnight until 8th March. For more information about this annual event, see the Fairtrade foundation website http://www.fairtrade.org.uk

Alice Rochester
 

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  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP, England
    Phone: +44 (0)1462 790565 Fax: +44 (0)1462 790140 enquiries@hkjewellery.co.uk
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU, England.
    Phone: +44 (0)1223 461333 Fax: +44 (0)1223 365269 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk

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