Fair Jewellery Action

Publisher’s Note:

Rubyfair, a mining project involving fair trade rubies from Tanzania has been operating for about a year now, supplying jewelers primarily in the UK. My company, Reflective Images, has just recently become the sales agent for US jewelers and consumers interested in these stones. Those interested in these rubies can contact me directly
~ Marc Choyt, Publisher

The Ruby Fair Story

(A Typical Untreated RubyFair Gem)

Rubyfair (www.rubyfair.com) was founded in 2008 by the international photo journalist Gary Roberts and Pete Brown. Gary and Pete were friends at Leads University in the UK, where they met while studying zoology. Together, they joined Tanzanian friend, Vedasto Kujwalire, to form a partnership.
[Read more →]

Tags: Announcements, Ethical Jewelry, Fair Trade, Mining, Rad Transparency, Responsible Mining, Rubies, Social Initiatives, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by admin
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Introduction:

In the UK at the moment, the notion of fair trade jewellery and ethical jewellery is being studied by academics. Below are my answers in response to questions from Alex Gribble who is undertaking a Final Year Project on “ethical jewellery” in a Business Studies Course at Birmingham University. [Read more →]

Tags: Ethical Jewelry, Fair Trade Jewelry, Interviews, Transparency, Trends, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by admin
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This article clearly illustrates the position many people in the ethical jewelry movement hold with regard to Wal-Mart’s “Earth Love” jewelry. I was interviewed by Ms. Graff and quoted twice in the article.

Though the idea of mine to market sourcing would be considered a best practice for Wal-Mart, my view is that the positive element of this initiative is undermined by their nefarious marketing. [Read more →]

Tags: Best Practices, CSR, Environment, Fair Trade Jewelry, Mining, Spin, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

When I visited England recently, I was impressed to find fair trade literature in churches. Much of this was the work of CAFOD, which stands for The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, a UK based relief agency that works in over sixty countries world wide.

This letter, sent on September 29th, 2008, clearly and concisely outlines CAFOD’s broad concerns over Wal-Mart’s new jewelry line.

This is the fourth of a series of posts on Wal-Mart. See the others in the Wal-Mart category to the right.

Thanks to Sarah Barnett, Policy Researcher for CAFOD, for permission to post.

~Marc Choyt, Publisher

READ THE LETTER (Adobe pdf 859.4K)

Get Adobe Reader

Tags: Announcements, CSR, Environment, Ethics, Fair Trade, Green Issues, Green Wash, Spin, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by admin
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Introduction:

This article conveys the difficult issues involved in a large retailer like Wal-Mart admirably attempting to gain full custody of their supply chain. The objection that many have toward this initiative are not so much in the sourcing, but the marketing of the product, which this article, it should be noted, spaciously spins favorably by talking about Michael Kowalski, CEO of Tiffany, as someone who “hikes” and is pro-environment. **A photo of the “guilt free” gold is also provided. **

Tiffany is sourcing from some of the same places that Wal-Mart does, but they are wise enough not to market it as earth friendly. These mines are massively destructive to the environment (see previous posts on Wal-Mart)
Wal-Mart’s “Love Earth” Brand Draws Early Fire
Complaints Filed Against Wal-Mart For False Green Jewelry Claims
~ Marc Choyt, Publisher

This is the third of a series of posts on Wal-Mart. See the others in the Wal-Mart category to the right.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/03/news/companies/gunther_gold.fortune/

Tags: CSR, Environment, Fair Trade, Fair Trade Jewelry, Gold, Green Issues, Mining, Spin, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

In this press release, activist environmental NGOs line up in opposition to Wal-Marts “Love Earth” jewelry line. Note that the objection is primarily to the marketing and not the actual mine to market concept. Read the letter posted earlier, which explains in detail the objections over Wal-Mart’s sourcing. [Read more →]

Tags: CSR, Environment, Fair Trade, Fair Trade Jewelry, Gold, Green Issues, Mining, Spin, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

Wal-Mart is introducing a “sustainable” jewelry product they are calling “Love Earth.” This will represent 10% of their product range.

The large scale operations are described in this letter signed by 29 environmental activists concerned about the ethical jewelry sector. The letter, dated July 29th, preceded a conference call with the main players from Wal-Mart introducing the brand. I listened to the call. [Read more →]

Tags: Best Practices, CSR, Environment, Gold, Green Issues, Mining, Spin, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by Marc Choyt
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Wal-Mart has introduced a line of gold and silver jewelry called Love, Earth, which can be traced from the mine to the store shelf. Shoppers can go online and find out where their pieces were mined and read about the suppliers’ environmental programs. The new line is part of a larger effort by Wal-Mart to support sustainable practices.

Please visit here for the full story. Source Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1435036120080715

Tags: Announcements, CSR, Ethical Jewelry, Fair Trade Jewelry, Green Issues, Green Wash, Spin, Transparency, Wal-Mart 'Love Earth' by Marc Choyt
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