Fair Trade Jewelry

An article by Jutarat Tongpiam that was released through Agence France in March, details why the Burmese gem boycott, which Jewelers of America and CRJP strongly advocate, is not an appropriate course of action. ~ Marc

“Jewellers associations from around the world plan to meet in Switzerland next month to draft a letter calling on the United States not to ban all sales of Myanmar gems,” said Vichai Assarasakron, President of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Association.

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Tags: Mining, Rubies by Marc Choyt
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The Diavik Mine in Canada’s NW Territories

Introduction:

Canadian diamonds have become the clear choice for many people who wish to avoid the African supply chain, even though many countries in Africa depend upon this resource to survive. This article, written by Alan Young and Larry Innes of the NGO, Canadian Boreal Initiative, points to the ecological damage of diamond mining in Canada.

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Tags: Environment, Transparency, Toxins, Ethics, Diamonds, Mining, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

Kirsten Hund is a Senior Scientist in the Sustainability Unit of SRK Consulting in Johannesburg, South Africa. This statement was part of a larger email correspondence in the Madison Dialogue. It brings another perspective to a recent theme on this blog: ActionAid’s critique on Anglo Platinum, Anglo’s Response, and Estelle Levin’s post on business models and sustainability. ~ Marc

Mining has the potential to bring

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Tags: Sustainability, CSR, Environment, Mining, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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Page Neal is spearheading an initiative in the New York City Public Schools for talented minority students. The program provides training and opportunities in fashion design, including jewelry. You can read about her program below and also find out about how you can be of support. ~ Marc

Proposal Summary:

Limited preparatory curricula and career exposure at the pre-college educational levels have resulted in pervasive under-representation of and marginal career opportunities for many talented and capable students at New York City public schools who dream of pursuing careers in design, apparel-related, and business and marketing industries.

Many FIT departments lament the paucity of “historically under-represented” students

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Tags: Ethical Initiatives, Change Agents by Marc Choyt
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Introduction: This short essay on the myth and lore of Diamonds is part of a series I wrote earlier this year. ~ Marc

The diamond - a pure, essential form of carbon set in a ring, held by a man on his knees - represents commitment, fidelity and the beauty of matrimony. But the diamond has other traditions and uses as well, long forgotten.

According to Talmudic texts and a medieval Europe juror, a diamond’s sparking brilliance increases with innocence and dims with guilt. A woman can always ask

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Tags: Gem Lore by admin
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Estelle Levin, Minerals and Sustainability Consultant based in the UK, writes here about corporate responsibility models as they relate to the jewelry sector. This insightful piece helps to clarify the many different perspectives that can seem at times quite chaotic to even someone such as myself who follows these issues closely.

This informal statement first appeared in the Madison Dialogue list sever, which is a multi-sector initiative to bring fair trade practices to the jewelry supply chain. Special thanks to Estelle for permission to reprint! ~ Marc

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Tags: Sustainability, CSR, Madison Dialogue, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

I am naturally encouraged by any efforts toward greater Corporate Social Responsibility in any business sector. When I think of the Jewelry sector, there is one real and meaningful issue that as far as I know has not been adequately addressed.

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Tags: CSR, Spin, Change Agents, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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Introduction:

In March, I visited factories to better gain and understand areas of issue within international manufacturing along with promoting the need for a cross section of concerned industry insiders to develop specific standards for worker safety.

When we constructed our facility in Santa Fe, we heavily invested in ventilation systems. Over the years, we have also researched solders and fluxes which were as safe as possible. We are constantly looking for ways

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Tags: Best Practices, Transparency, Ethics, Jewelry Manufacturing, Editorial by admin
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Introduction: Here is Anglo Platinum’s Response to ActionAid’s Claims, as posted on Anglo’s website. ~ Marc

ActionAid, an international anti-poverty agency, released a report on 26/3/2008 entitled “Precious Metal ­ The impact of Anglo Platinum on poor communities in Limpopo, South Africa. In it, seriously flawed allegations are made which, in the interests of truth, demand correction

ActionAid’s report is extremely

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Tags: CSR, Ethical Initiatives, Ethics, Platinum, Mining, Madison Dialogue by Marc Choyt
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Introduction: In a report published by Actionaid, reprinted below, we learn about Anglo Platinum, the world’s biggest platinum producer, has dislocated rural villagers and polluted watersheds.

Remote rural communities have lost their farm land and access to clean water in South Africa as a result of mining by Anglo Platinum, the world’s largest platinum company, which made profits of US$1.75 billion in 2007 alone. ~ Marc

A new ActionAid report estimates thousands of poor people in four villages in the Bushveld mineral complex in Limpopo province have lost farm land and received little compensation in a series of relocation deals with Anglo Platinum.

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Tags: CSR, Ethical Initiatives, Environment, Ethics, Madison Dialogue, Mining, Editorial by Marc Choyt
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