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: Proprio ora, our gold, platinum and palladium is 100% riciclata. We are currently discussing our branding strategies. Our brand name for this product will be Harmony Metals and Gems by Hoover & Forte. 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. Proprio ora, we estimate that 75% of our sterling is recycled, 100% of fine silver is recycled. We will have a policy by July.
FTJ: L'anno scorso, 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, ha detto di avere molti clienti interessati a Harmony Metalli & Gems, tra cui alcune major. Cosa è successo nel corso dell'ultimo anno?
Torry: C'è un movimento intero eco. Si legge su aziende verdi nel Wall Street Journal, e Business Week. gioiellieri intelligenti stanno affrontando questo argomento in fretta. Molti non vogliono una ripetizione delle questioni di diamanti di sangue intero. Cosa stiamo facendo intenzione di fare? Rimanere lo stesso o diventare verde? A questo punto non è Consumer Driven. Abbiamo fatto un sondaggio su di esso. Esso è guidato più dal commercio.
FTJ: Che cosa possiamo fare per dare slancio a questo movimento?
Torry: Ci deve essere qualche unificazione degli sforzi. Proprio ora, quello che abbiamo è un movimento di massa. Qualsiasi movimento è migliore quando è combinato. Dobbiamo formare un'associazione e definire un certo tipo di 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: Sì. 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: Sì, we would be happy to host a meeting or share that responsibility with other companies.
