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FairJewelry.Org Exclusive: Interview with Carmen Iezzi, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation

In 2006, Carmen Iezzi, was named executive director of the Fair Trade Federation, which represents more than 250 fair trade businesses in North America.

Carmen_Iezzi
Carmen Iezzi

An Alumni of American University, she knew she had an important and significant job to do. She envisioned her role as the youngest person there; to lead the group with fresh eyes and new energy, working towards an important cause during a key time of growth.

I conducted this interview with her over the telephone and through email:

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Agenda for the Upcoming Ethical Jewelry Summit

It is impossible to know what is taking place around ethical jewelry sourcing without reviewing The Madison Dialogs. If you review the companies involved, you will see that this movement is gaining serious traction in the jewelry industry.

Sponsored by Earthworks Action, the Madison dialogs have resulted in a focused, coordinating effort that has resulted in an upcoming ethical jewelry summit to take place in Washington DC. this Oct, 2007. To learn more about the Madison Dialog and the upcoming event, click here.
http://www.madisondialog.org/index.html

Here’s a previous interview by the director of the Earthworks Action.

Fair Trade Jewelry: The Challenges and Rewards of an Emerging Movement

Searching the web for “fair trade jewelry” will pull up a number of companies. Fair Trade Jewelry, as certified by the International Fair Trade Labeling Organization, (FLO) does not exist. Yet fair trade, as a concept to the general public, basically translates to a livable wage, fair working conditions and environmental safe guards for the production in cooperatives in the developing world. How much FLO owns the concept of fair trade, which they have certainly developed, is an open question.

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Hoover and Strong Now Offers 100% Recycled Sterling Silver!

The company is the most ecologically responsible metal refiner in the trade. In additional to recycled silver, they also offer 100% recycled gold, palladium and platinum.

Many of us who sell sterling silver have waited for a source that is ecologically responsible.

Now, according to George Rodriguez, National Account Manager, Hoover and Strong, [Read more →]

Ethical Shoppers Want Jewelers to Support Ethical Jewelry Now!

We now have the opportunity to proactively address the shadow, or toxic side of the jewelry industry in a truthful way. The emotional trigger issues, such as mining, blood diamonds and a host of other concerns actually make our industry a very easy target.

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