Cartier Moves To Clean Gold

Cartier’s new move for clean gold sourcing is a fine example of best practices for a large scale jewelry company. Not only is the new mine that they are partnering with chemical free, but they are also engaging small scale artisan gold miners in their sourcing efforts.

There are two issues. As fairjewelry.org staff writer and colleague, Greg Valerio pointed out, one issue is physical traceability and the way the refiner handles the gold. It would add credibility if Cartier was explicitly clear on how they are handling the issues of de-materialization of the Goldlake production in refining.

Secondarily, according to Pamela Caillens, Corporate Responsibility Director for Cartier International, though they are purchasing all the production from Goldlake, it is only small part of their supply.
Untraceable gold equals dirty gold bought on the international market. Though supply chain issues can be difficult to deal with, in this particular situation, traceable and recycled precious metal are readily available in the supply chain. For Cartier to make its entire precious metal supply chain traceable would be a major step in the right direction.

See the PDF of their press release for more information.

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