An EcoChic Celebration - Why buy Ethical & Fair Trade Jewellery?

 

by Deborah Miarkowska

As the saying goes, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, and gold and silver are the most sought after precious metals in the world.

Everyone loves beautiful jewellery. It does not matter how expensive it is, or whether it holds diamonds rubies, or if it is a necklace or pair of earrings. However, more and more people who love jewellery have now become concerned that the pieces they are wearing have contributed towards damaging the environment and the exploitation of workers and craftsmen in other countries.

We believe these are issues that everyone should be aware of and if this is something that is important to you, then you may want to know more about ethical jewellery and fair trade jewellery.

The jewellery industry is a dirty business

A lot of jewellery that is produced can involve the exploitation of human and natural resources. For example, when gold is mined in Peru, cyanide is used in the process which can cause a number of health problems for the miners working with it and to the natural environment. Similarly, some open pit gold mines have caused so much destruction to the land; they can be seen from space.

Sweatshops as centres of jewellery production

Many sweatshops all over the world are used for manufacturing jewellery, and the wage and conditions of their workers experience needs to be taken into consideration, afterall it is a fundamental human right.

Nowadays, lots of people are becoming more concerned about such issues and wish to buy ethical jewellery which are certainly worthy of their support. Ethical jewellery is made from co-operatively run gold mines. This minimises the damage caused to environment. Other sustainable materials are also being used, for example, recycled glass and off cuts of wood. The producers of ethical jewellery are paid fair wages, which are in line with the cost of living in the countries the jewellery is being produced in.

Celebrating the fair trade gold mark in 2010

Earlier in March 2010 the fair trade jewellery industry had something quite extraordinary to celebrate, with the launch of the fair mined and fair trade gold mark. View our earlier feature, Gold goes green as fair trade goes mining HERE.

Investment such as training and improving workplaces is made within the communities where fairtrade jewellery is made and the social premium goes along way to supporting the needs of local people.

We’d love you to join us in our celebration of ethical and fairtrade jewellery. To view our gorgeous range of fair trade and ethical jewellery click  HERE.

Celebrate ethical jewellery and fair trade jewellery prduction, it is an exceptional story.

Image courtesy of CRED Jewellery, purveyors of exquisite fair trade jewellery.

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One Response to “An EcoChic Celebration - Why buy Ethical & Fair Trade Jewellery?”

1. Hong Masias says:

   June 25, 2010 at 8:27 pm

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