TRADE SUPPLIERS AND RESOURCES
Here’s my best list of resources and suppliers. I will make additions to it as more information is passed to me. I put comments after those organizations that I know something about.
This list was drawn and expanded from the resource section my Ethical Jewelry Handbook, a free e-book available upon request.
RESOURCE LIST
Madison Dialogue
www.madisondialogue.org
The first step that anyone interested in pursuing fair and ethical sourcing issues should be to join the Madison Dialog List serve. You will get articles sent to you by various members on the list on any topic that seems important. Some will be relevant and some will immediately be deleted.
The real value of being on the list, however, comes if you have a particular question or concern. You can simply put the question out on the list serve to the broad network. You will get answers from a broad network of people who are connected all over the world by shared values of social responsibility
Association for Responsible Mining (ARM)
ARM aims to enable _fair trade certified_ precious metals, responsibly produced by artisanal and small-scale miners, to reach the jewellery marketplace, via its “Standard Zero for Fair Trade Artisanal Gold and Associated Silver and Platinum.” Standard Zero was developed by a knowledgeable and highly committed technical committee using FLO´s Fair Trade Generic Standards, and adapting them to artisanal and small scale gold mining. Standard Zero has undergone extensive local, national, regional and global consultation since August 2006.
During 2008, it is being tested on the ground with 9 producer organizations in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, working as a regional network in partnership with 5 local support organizations. It is expected that ARM will also ground test the Standard Zero in Africa and Asia over the coming 3 years. In developing, consulting and testing the standard zero ARM complies with ISEAL standards. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AND INPUT AT www.communitymining.org
CIBJO’s Sustainable Jewelry website
CIBJO is the World Jewelry Council.
Council for Responsible Jewelry Practices (CRJP)
Formed after the blood diamond tragedy hit the press, this is a voluntary association representing a broad spectrum of major companies in the jewelry sector committed to developing more stringent ethical standards and transparency.
Ethical Metalsmiths
This group is made of mostly small designers and manufacturers interested in ethical jewelry practices.
Columbia Gem House Fair Gems Project
www.fairtradegems.com
Eric Braunwart, founder of Columbia Gems, pioneered his own fair trade system and sells his gemstones with full transparency. He has become a trusted source for colored stones for those in the jewelry sector wanting ethical sourcing.
Clear Conscience project by Lori Bonn Designs
This company is one of the early movers in pushing for ethically produced product.
Rapaport Group
www.diamonds.net
Martin Rapaport has been a powerful voice for fair trade diamonds and jewelry production. He has invested heavily in the development of this product which has yet to hit the market. He has also supported other fair trade based projects and created a Fair Trade Liaison position in his company, which is held by Amanda Stark.
Ethical Sourcing Gemstone Website
www.uvm.edu/envnr/gemecology/index.html
The site provides information for educators, researchers, governments, miners and companies. Also on the site are case studies done on the gemstone sector in various countries. This excellent work coming from Tiffany Scholar Sally Dickinson DeLeon and Saleem H. Ali, Ph.D along with several research collaborators at the University of Vermont.
Myth and Lore of Gemstones
I recently completed 15 articles on birthstones, drawing on myths and lore. A “meaning” for the gemstone is offered to the reader, based on the stories. I wrote these because I could not find this type of resource any where on line and they might be useful in a retail situation for a customer inquiring about birthstones. You can view these articles on my website, www.celticjewelry.com and reprint them with permission.
Communities and Small-scale Mining Secretariat (CASM)
Artisan Small Scale Mining (ASM) is an important development initiative supported by the World Bank and other organizations, world wide. This website goes into details explaining this work. www.artisanalmining.org
RETAILERS
The companies below represent successful examples of marketing and product development that reach what I call the Patagonia, Whole Foods customer.
Brilliant Earth
This company has successfully marketed to consumers interested in ethical jewelry products. They are excellent examples of first movers in the jewelry sector.
Ruff and Cut
A new product launch developed by Wade Watson in coordination with several other designers in support of Arts4Africa.
Wade was also involved in starting Pride Diamonds—a successful social entrepreneurial venture in Sierra Leon.
Green Karat
www.greenkarat.com
This company has successfully marketed to consumers interested in ethical jewelry products. They are quite pure (no mining) and excellent examples of first movers in the jewelry sector.
The UK Company founded by Greg Valerio is pioneering fair trade gold with their designer jewelry brand.
Luxury ethical jewelry designed by Vivien Johnston, based in the UK.
This UK company is passionate about making fine jewelry in a socially responsible way. They trace all their materials back to sources that are ethical and environmentally responsible.
Last but not least, this is my company. We produce jewelry for both wholesale and retail. Visit www.celticjewelry.com to see our FRE system. Our companion site is www.artisanweddingrings.com
SUPPLIERS:
Finesse Diamonds: Canadian Diamonds and DTC sight holder, http://finessediamonds.com/
Nenoir Diamonds: Canadian Diamonds: http://www.nenoir.com/
Hoover and Strong: Recycled precious metals. http://www.hooverandstrong.com/
United PMR: Recycled precious metals: http://www.unitedpmr.com/
Vukani Ubuntu: South African Fair Trade manufacturer. http://www.vukani.co.za/
S and P Trading: EU Source for recycled metals. Contact Patrick Schein, Paris – France [email protected]
Oro Verde: “Green Gold.”: http://www.greengold-oroverde.org/
The Ethical Bullion Company (EBC) http://www.ethicalbullion.com/
Pride Diamonds: http://www.pridediamonds.com/
Urth Solution: supplier of ethical gold from Madagascar and Bolivia. http://www.urthsolution.com
Nature’s Geometry: supplier of rutilated quartz; Brian Cook; [email protected]
Tanzania Women Miners Association: supplier of Tanzanian gemstones. Contact Shamsa Diwani [email protected]
Faire Edelsteine (Thomas Siepelmeyer) http://www.faire-edelsteine.de/ . Contact info: [email protected] This company has made several inroads into fair trade sourcing. His website is in German,
GET INVOLVED
These working groups that came out of the Madison Dialogue are in the process of developing fair trade standards. They are open to those interested in participating.
Manufacturing Group
Colored Gemstone Group
Diamond Group
Precious Metal Mining.
If you would like more information, please contact me: [email protected]
