FairJewelry.Org Exclusive: Interview With Torry Hoover, President Of Hoover And Strong
The leading industry eco-supplier announces their new brand: Harmony Metals and Gems, calls for a unification of eco and fair trade efforts and offers to host a meeting or share that responsibility with other companies.
I recently visited with Torry Hoover, President of Hoover and Strong, a Virginia based company founded in 1912. Torry is a leader in the movement to create fair trade, ecologically responsible jewelry products. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, from Hoover and Strong’s latest charitable projects to his company’s latest eco, fair trade moves. Here’s some of what we talked about:
FTJ: How was it that you came to commit your company so strongly in the direction of ecologically responsibility and fair trade practices?
Torry: I’m the fourth generation of my family to run this company. Our core values are family, quality, responsibility, helpfulness and innovation. We have always been about those core values—even though the company has changed with the times. Our implementation of these practices is just an extension of our values: responsibilities with the environment, conserving natural resources fit nicely in our core values.
FTJ: Bring me up to date with your latest eco-products and other initiatives.
Torry: Right now, our gold, platinum and palladium is 100% recycled. We are currently discussing our branding strategies. Our brand name for this product will be Harmony Metals and Gems by Hoover & Strong. We are in the process of sourcing Diamonds from Canada and are working with Columbia Gem House in Vancouver, WA to provide responsibly source Rubies, Sapphires, and Emeralds. We also are working on a charity piece to our Harmony Metals and Gems line which includes making jewelry for charitable organizations. Details will be announced this fall.
FTJ: What about silver?
Torry: Silver is the last metal in this process. It is more difficult. Some of our sources have to trace and track their sources down the supply chain, for us to confirm our recycled source policy. Right now, we estimate that 75% of our sterling is recycled, 100% of fine silver is recycled. We will have a policy by July.
FTJ: Last year, when I spoke with George Rodriguez, (your account executive) about these issues, I was one of just a few people interested in recycled gold in silver. It did not seem like such a big deal in the market. This year, calling him to arrange our meeting, he said that you have many customers interested in Harmony Metals & Gems, including some majors. What’s happened in the last year?
Torry: There’s a whole eco movement. You read about green companies in the Wall Street Journal, and Business Week. Smart jewelers are addressing this topic quickly. Many do not want a repeat of the whole blood diamond issues. What are we doing going to do? Stay the same or become green? At this point it is not consumer driven. We did a survey about it. It is driven more by the trade.
FTJ: What can we do to create momentum for this movement?
Torry: There needs to be some unification of efforts. Right now, what we have is a grass roots movement. Any movement is better when it is combined. We should form an association and define some type of agenda, such as setting goals and communicating about our efforts.
FTJ: I agree that we all have to work together to support each other in this.
Torry: Yes. A high tide floats all boats.
FTJ: How should we start? What are our action items?
Torry: We should start with a conference call perhaps in August with interested parties.
FTJ: What about an actual conference? Would Hoover and Strong be willing to be a sponsor in such an event?
Torry: Yes, we would be happy to host a meeting or share that responsibility with other companies.
