Open Letter To Elizabeth Murphy, Security And Exchange Commission, From The Members Of Fair Jewelry Action
Comments Regarding File Number S7-40-10 on Conflict Minerals
Santa Fe, New Mexico USA and Chichester England, UK. ( March 1, 2011)
We are writing to urge the SEC to institute robust and comprehensive rules on conflict minerals under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Fair Jewelry Action is a cross sector initiative, a coalition of jewelers, supply companies and civil society groups working within the jewelry sector for ethical sourcing. Our core goal is traceability and transparency. We strongly support any legislation which would stop conflict minerals from entering our supply chain. Gold and other metals often come at a great cost to communities and the environment.
Conflict gold from areas of armed or militarized conflict, in particular, is not only unethical; but it makes our industry rightfully vulnerable to bad publicity. Even a small percentage of conflict gold entering our supply chain is a betrayal to our customers. Who would want to wear a wedding ring that financed wars? This issue is particularly important to all our customers; but especially to the younger generation, the future of our business. They are increasingly sensitive to environmental and social issues around the globe.
Therefore, we strongly urge you not to bend to the short term interests of those in our industry who would say that this legislation would be bad for business. Exactly the opposite is true. We need this act to be mandated for the good of the jewelry sector and for the good of society. We strongly support all efforts that would create and implement a supply chain transparency that will provide independent verification documenting that a company is not sourcing precious metal that is financing armed conflict and human rights violations.
If you would like additional information on this important topic critical to our industry, please contact us.
Below is a list of businesses and civil society organizations that belong to Fair Jewelry Action and have signed on to this letter.
Jewelers
Toby Pomeroy USA
www.tobypomeroy.com
Reflective Images Inc.
www.artisanweddingrings.com
Bario-Neal USA
www.bario-neal.com
Brilliant Earth USA
www.bario-neal.com
www.clarityproject.com
C5 Company USA
www.c5company.com
Element Jewelers UK
www.elementjewellery.com
The Clarity Project USA
www.clarityproject.com
Cred Jewellery UK
www.credjewellery.com
Harriet Kelsall Jewelry UK
www.hkjewellery.co.uk
Oria Jewelry UK
oriajewellery.co.uk
April Doubleday Jewelry UK
Ute Decker UK
www.utedecker.com
Fifi Bijoux Scotland
www.fifibijoux.com/shop
Ethical Jewelers Australia
www.ethicaljewels.com.au
Tiny Masters Sweden
www.tinymasters.se
Jewelry Manufacturers
New World Mexico Women Mexico
http://ethical-fair-trade.org/fair-trade-silver/
Vukani-Ubuntu Community Development South Africa
www.vukani.org
Lori Bonn USA
www.loribonn.com
Precious Metal Refiners
Patrick Schein FRANCE
www.patrickschein.com/us
NGOs and Consultancies
William Rohtert Economic Geologist USA
Dyan Oldenburg: Environmental Leadership Consulting USA
Jewelry Tree Foundation Belgium
www.jeweltreefoundation.org
Lifeworth Consulting France
Mining Companies
Open Source Minerals Belgium
www.opensourceminerals.com
Ruby Fair UK and Tanzania
www.rubyfair.com
Tanzania Woman Mining Association.
www.gemstylestz.biz Tanzania
Black Mountain Gems USA
Kamoka Pearls USA/Tahiti
http://www.kamokapearls.com/
Gold Leaf USA
www.GreenLeafGold.com
Please Note:
FJA is a forum open to a diversity of opinions in support of it’s mission. Any editorial expressed in this article represents the opinion of the author, and not necessarily the views of Fair Jewelry Action members.
