Fair Trade Jewelry

I felt privileged indeed, to meet with these leaders in the jewelry industry, all of whom are so dedicated to improving the lives, through economic and community empowerment, of artisan miners throughout the world.

On October 26th and 27th, 2007, the Madison Dialogue, organized by Earthworks, CASM, ARM, Jewelers of America, DDI, Rapaport, PAC, FLO, De Beers, and Ethical Metalsmiths convened the “Ethical Jewelry Summit” at the World Bank in Washington DC. The conference focused on two questions:

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Tags: Spin, Transparency, CSR, Ethical Initiatives, Sustainability, Change Agents, Environment, Madison Dialogue, Mining, Gold, Ethics, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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Michael Green, founder and Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Health; and his research director, Caroline Cox, exposed this practice which lead to a new law in California. Lead is not just in children’s jewelry. Federated, Disney and Nordstrom may legally have lead jewelry in their stores until March, 2008.

This interview was conducted by phone and email late in September and October, 2007.

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Tags: Change Agents, Transparency, Environment, Toxins, Ethics, Interviews by Marc Choyt
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A Google search for “fair trade jewelry” will bring up numerous companies, many of which sell ethnic jewelry produced in small villages in the developing world. The “fair trade” concept draws the socially responsible shopper, yet the third party labeling organization for fair trade, Fair Labeling Organization (FLO) - of which Transfair USA is a member - does not currently list jewelry as a category certifiable as fair trade. Apart from that, some large players in the mainstream jewelry industry are beginning to tout concepts such as “fair trade diamonds” and “fair trade gold.” So, how does one make sense of these fair trade jewelry claims, especially as they relate to the $150 Billion plus mainstream jewelry industry?

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Tags: CSR, Spin, Ethical Initiatives, Fair Trade, Sustainability, Transparency, Change Agents, Jewelry Manufacturing, Gold, Ethics, Environment, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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I really do not have an answer to whether these companies are spinning concepts or not, and in all fairness to each of them, I did not contact them to get their position. I list these posts just as a sample survey to illustrate lack of transparency and potential for consumer confusion and I would value feedback and response from anyone mentioned below regarding the nature of their ecological and ethical initiatives.

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Tags: CSR, Ethical Initiatives, Fair Trade, Sustainability, Spin, Transparency, Interviews, Environment, Change Agents, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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I emailed Meredith about who designates her precious metals as ‘fair trade’ and ‘eco friendly’. I also wanted to know what she meant by ‘fair trade gems’ that were sourced in the US, since the fair trade designation only applies to the developing world. Her response cuts to the heart of many complex issues that this movement is challenged with. See my response to her comments as well.

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Tags: Transparency, CSR, Ethical Initiatives, Sustainability, Change Agents, Environment, Interviews, Jewelry Manufacturing, Ethics, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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Up-and-coming green designer, Moonrise Jewelry, will preview their Spring ’08 line of stylish eco-jewelry at the Ecoganik fashion show at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, California on October 15, 2007 at 2:00 P.M.

Mercedes-Benz’s decision to showcase designers like Moonrise Jewelry and Ecoganik, follows the growing interest in all things “green”.

Moonrise Co-Founder and Designer, Meredith Restein, says, “It’s exciting that the eco-fashion industry is going to be represented at Fashion Week and we are thrilled to be recognized as a leading eco-jewelry designer.

Our Spring 2008 line features our Fair-Trade semi-precious gems such as Amethyst and Citrine, as well as beautiful handcrafted recycled materials. Our jewelry line is a perfect complement to Ecoganik’s fresh take on eco-conscious clothing, as we share the philosophy that fashion is at its best when it’s both stylish and sustainable.”

For more information about Mercedes-Benz fashion week in Los Angeles, go to www.mbfashionweek.com

Moonrise Jewelry can be found online at www.moonrisejewelry.com
Liz Watson
liz@moonrisejewelry.com
Toll-free: 866-338-9109

Tags: Sustainability, Ethical Initiatives, CSR, Change Agents, Ethics by admin
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Martin gets down with his funky self and raps with us about Fair Trade Diamonds and how important they are to all of us who want to impress that very important someone in our lives…It’s a fun and lively three minute video that everyone should view at least once.

Fair Trade Diamonds and Jewelry

Martin Rapaport is the head of the Rapaport Group and is the Man in the diamond industry. He sets trends through his Rapaport Diamond Report. This Report is the primary source of diamond pricing and market information for the entire diamond industry.

Martin is a Mover and a Shaker. He is also dedicated to Social Welfare, Corporate Responsibility and Fair Trade. He invests regularly at least ten percent of profits to charity and initiates programs to alleviate poverty in Africa and elsewhere.

We could say, “A Star is Born!” but this man, who was one of the main forces behind the implementation of Kimberly Process is already a Nova in the world of ethically sourced jewelry.

Without Martin as a Friend in the Movement towards Fair Trade Jewelry (at all levels), the Movement would have an even higher and harder row to hoe. We are lucky he cares enough to do what he does, when so many others apparently don’t.

Tags: CSR, Sustainability, Transparency, Change Agents, Interviews, Diamonds by admin
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To understand the commitment and seriousness of the mainstream jewelry industry to ethical sourcing, see the agenda for upcoming Madison Dialogue meeting. The agenda is carefully constructed to deal with all critical issues in the movement at this early time, from mine to retailer to customer.

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Tags: Ethical Initiatives, Fair Trade, Sustainability, CSR, Transparency, Ethics, Environment, Change Agents, Madison Dialogue by Marc Choyt
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