The Vision Of Fair Jewelry Action
Here, our vision statement is framed in the present, even through it is in fact a future state that we at Fair Jewelry Action are working toward. With the uniting of the good will and heartfelt intentions among people in the world, we will see this vision come true.
~Marc Choyt, Fair Jewelry Action USA
We see now that the Small Scale miner is living a prosperous, beautiful life.
With the sale of his gems and precious metal, he clothes, shelters, feeds and educates his family. His children play in the village, feeling safe, singing songs. The elders are honored and involved in projects to support language and local craft. The water is pure. Funds are set aside to restore the mined land back to agricultural use. Fields of grain, orchids and trees abundant with fruit surround these villages, where wildlife coexist in abundance and grace.
(Jewellers workshop Colombia. Courtesy of Greg Valerio)
Polishing and refining operations with stringent environmental protocols and fair living wages are set up wherever gems and metal are mined. There is full transparency and accountability in the financing and operations.
In locales where large scale mining once occurred, the land is fully restored close to its original condition, planted with native fauna. The restored land is given back to the people and the country. Even companies that pillaged ecosystems and human communities are now investing money in massive restoration projects throughout the world, employing a great number of people.
(Ruby Miners in Tanzania – Courtesy of Rubyfair)
Jewelers and mining companies that made decisions to buy diamonds resulting in the death of three million Africans during the blood diamond tragedy, and those involved in the sale of conflict minerals even today, are brought together with the survivors. There is testimony and the opportunity for grief and forgiveness. All unite, vowing to never allow the raw materials for jewelry production to ever damage the environment or human communities again. Areas that were full of conflict and were resource cursed become examples of peace and reconciliation.
Those who purchase the gem or gold, the consumer, fully celebrate the new chain of beneficial economic activity. People around the world wear their jewelry and talk about how their purchase now creates beautiful lives in what used to be some of the poorest and most damaged parts of the world. Jewelry is a blessing to the entire circle involved in its creation and end use, from the producers to the person who wears it.
(Solar panels on Kamoka Pearl farm, Courtesy of Josh Humbert)
Our work becomes a living, vital manifestation of a fundamental truth: that we all need each other to co-create a new economy based upon regeneration of community, and the ecosystem, benefiting the biodiversity and all cultures to create beauty on our planet.
Join our vision. Together we can make it possible.
