~ By Marc Choyt Artisan-Owned Direct Distribution Model Fair Trade For Artisans In the “fair trade” world, many businesses source their products not from artisans and producers as implied by the familiar fair trade narratives. Rather, the fair trade suppliers to retail stores are – perhaps with few exceptions- commercial consolidators and intermediary wholesalers. Consequently,

Introduction: Greg Valerio, a prominent activist in the fair trade jewelry movement, has officially resigned from his company. Freed from the business he founded, he intends to focus on the fair trade jewelry issues exclusively. See his resignation letter below. Greg is also a staff writer for fairjewelry.org. ~ Marc Choyt, Publisher I am writing

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