When choosing to be an ethically and sustainably minded brand I have to look at all aspects of my business, and especially the materials I work with. Metal, and specifically gold, is one of the main materials I use in every aspect of my business. I've talked about how Recycled Gold is a deceptive term and not necessarily sustainable or ethical. For me, the most sustainable options is using Fairmined Gold.
Fairmined is an assurance label that certifies gold from empowered responsible artisanal and small-scale mining organizations. It transforms mining into an active force for good, ensuring social development and environmental protection, providing everyone with a source of gold to be proud of. Thanks to the Fairmined Standard, anyone who buys gold and associated precious metals can support responsibly managed community mines.
People tend to associate gold mining with: informality, unsafe working conditions, illegality, child labor, gender inequality, unfair labor practices, organized crime and damage to the environment.
Fairmined aims at eliminating these practices and the negative perceptions they create, turning mining into an active force for good. Artisanal and small-scale mining employs 90% of the workforce behind gold extraction and is responsible for 10% of global production. Over 150 million people, miners and their families, depend on artisanal and small scale mining to make a living.
The Fairmined Standard is world leading in its ability to deliver positive impact to the miners and their communities and is a valued tool to transform artisanal and small-scale mining into an active force for good. Fairmined is backed by a rigorous 3rd party certification and audit system that includes requirements for artisanal and small-scale mining organizations to meet world leading standards for responsible practices: formal and legal mining operations, environmental protection, labor conditions, traceability of Fairmined minerals, and socio-economic development through the Fairmined Premium. It also outlines market models and requirements for market actors (Fairmined Suppliers).
By choosing Fairmined certified gold, you are showing respect and empathy towards people and the planet. It is an opportunity to generate positive economic, social, and environmental impact by supporting artisanal and small-scale miners that are committed to improving their practices.
The Fairmined Initiative was created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), a non-profit organization globally recognized as a leader and pioneer of responsible artisanal and small-scale mining.
You can learn more about Fairmined Gold here and continue to explore all of the decisions I am making to make #TrulyEthicalJewelry.
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