IN THE UK, FAIRTRADE SMALL JEWELLER SCHEME OPENS FOR BUSINESS
Introduction: This press release from Fair Trade International represents a major new development. Not only Fairtrade gold, but wire and sheet is now easy to purchase without a lot of hassle for small jewelers in the UK and at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, in the US, we are still far behind. There are no suppliers who can offer anything near these equivalent services. As an American jeweler, however, I can still join this this initiative and order from the UK and get the best prices available for fair trade gold. The only difference is that I will end up paying an extra $40 in shipping. Marc Choyt.
The Fairtrade Foundation has today launched a unique new scheme for small jewellers, goldsmiths, silversmiths and artists to use ethically sourced Fairtrade gold and silver in their jewellery.
The Goldsmiths Registration Scheme represents the single most significant development in ethical sourcing in the UK since the launch of Fairtrade gold in 2011, making it accessible to all. It will play a vital role in the ethical transformation of the jewellery sector.
Reena Agarwal, Commercial Account Manager for Fairtrade gold said: “The Fairtrade Foundation recognises that the vast majority of the jewellery trade rests in the hands of the small jewellers and this scheme sends a clear signal to the entire market that small is beautiful. Collectively small jewellers have the power to transform the national market through this scheme, so we are encouraging goldsmiths from across the country to register and help Fairtrade to transform the lives of marginalised artisanal and small scale miners through the power of their creativity.”
Fairtrade’s simple on-line registration system http://www.fairgold.org/goldsmiths-registration/ will allow small jewellers to purchase certified Fairtrade Gold and precious metals from a master licensee in a semi-finished form, such as sheet, wire, tube casting grain and use it in your work.
The benefits of the scheme for the goldsmith are that the annual registration is free, very little administration on the part of the goldsmith, a dedicated list of ‘master licensee’s’ who source from certified small-scale gold miners.
Small Jewellers or goldsmiths who join the scheme agree to abide by certain terms and conditions that include, not being able to stamp your jewellery with the Fairtrade Stamp, only using certain pre-determined marketing materials and agreeing to the annual limits of 500g of gold or platinum or 2kg’s of silver.
Reena continued: “Naturally we want all small jewellers and goldsmiths to become full license holders, allowing them to stamp their jewellery pieces, but in the interim, the small jewellers and goldsmiths scheme is a great way to enjoy creating jewellery using Fairtrade certified metals and directly benefit the artisanal and small-scale miners and their impoverished communities.’
For more information on participating in the Goldsmith Registration Scheme, please contact: gold@fairtrade.net
For more information about Fairtrade gold, visit http://www.fairgold.org/
