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Simon Gibbons
14th June 2011 15:44

The Real Price of Gold

 

The Channel four Dispatches programme The Real Price of Gold is a very interesting and timely reminder of the importance of ethical gold.

Ethics in the gold supply chain is very complex for a number of reasons, for example, a surprisingly large proportion of gold supplied in the UK is recycled, which whilst brilliant for the environment remains a little more problematical when it comes to the provenance of this metal, by that I mean, if an item of jewellery was created in an era when ethical awareness was not what it is today, the metal may well have come from a source that had little regard for human rights at the time.

Additionally, gold when it is refined can come from a variety sources, such as banks and again its provenance 'could' be questionable and of course there is nothing to stop the metal being melted into any shape prior to it being introduced into the supply chain, making identifying its history very difficult; if not impossible.

There is no doubt the industry is aware of these challenges with organisations doing much to change the ethics of the jewellery industry and this year saw the launch of Certificated Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold through the Fairtrade Foundation; not only can the source of the metal be traced, but the artisanal miners get a decent reward, aimed not only as payment for the metal but to help develop their communities.

We are one of the first companies to be able to offer this option and whilst we have had teething problems; availability is now improving, it means we can help you make that ethical choice when you come to choose your bespoke engagement ring or wedding ring and our designers are able to offer you, with no obligation, advice on matters regarding the ethical choices you may wish to make.

Prior to the launch of Certificated Fairtrade and Fairmined gold; we were using and continue to use 'Fairly Traded' metal to help customer make that ethical choice and we also have some rings in our ready to wear collection made from this metal.

Please do contact us for no obligation advice or an appointment; as we would be delighted to help you make your ethical choices, whether you are considering where the metal comes from or wishing to recycle a ring you no longer use in its current form.

Simon

Simon Gibbons
 

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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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