| Key considerations in purchasing environmentally | | | | rough diamonds, attempting to put a stop to blood |
| friendly jewelry. | | | | diamond sales from known conflict areas. As a result, |
| Jewelry draws upon the earth and nature for many | | | | they developed the Kimberley Process, which |
| of its raw materials and often basic inspiration, but | | | | documents and tracks all rough diamonds entering a |
| the process of making jewelry does not always have | | | | participating country to assure manufacturers, |
| a positive impact on the environment. As in many | | | | retailers and consumers that the diamonds they are |
| areas, consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive | | | | purchasing are conflict-free. There is still much debate |
| to the environmental impact of the jewelry that they | | | | regarding the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process |
| purchase and wear every day. They are seeking | | | | as it has a fairly narrow focus (does not include |
| alternatives and challenging retailers and producers to | | | | cutting or polishing or colored gemstones), but it is a |
| be more aware of the impact that their products | | | | starting point for the industry to develop strong |
| have on the environment and communities - this is | | | | standards and promote change. |
| ultimately what will drive real industry change. | | | | - Inquire with jewelers if they are using Kimberly |
| If you're committed to making your life more | | | | certified diamonds and ask to see documentation on |
| "green", but aren't sure where to start when it | | | | your particular products. |
| comes to buying jewelry, some key considerations | | | | - Coral. Many jewelers utilize coral in their designs. |
| are outlined below. This list is not all-inclusive, but we | | | | However, coral are in great danger, suffering from |
| hope it's a strong start to making your next jewelry | | | | overfishing due to high consumer demand, oil and gas |
| purchase guilt-free!o Sourcing practices | | | | exploration, invasive species, pollution and climate |
| Metal: | | | | change. Coral is a vital part of our ocean habitats and |
| - The jewelry industry relies heavily upon mining | | | | eco-system, as marine fish depend on corals for |
| companies to generate raw materials for their | | | | food, safe havens from predators, and as areas of |
| products; unfortunately the mining process creates | | | | reproduction. Sadly, one-third of all reef-building corals |
| significant waste and contaminants, causing harm to | | | | are threatened with extinction; specifically the |
| the land and its inhabitants. A significant amount of | | | | deep-sea species of red and pink corals also known |
| metal (gold, silver, platinum, etc) is also mined by | | | | as Corallium are in particular danger. Many jewelers |
| artisanal and small-scale mining operations which often | | | | have stopped using red coral entirely; Tiffany & |
| cause environmental degradation and involve harmful | | | | Co. has a long-standing boycott on red coral. |
| labor practices such as child labor and exploitation of | | | | - Avoid purchasing red coral jewelry - we know it's |
| impoverished communities. 80% of the metal mined | | | | beautiful, but the earth's beauty is in jeopardy.o |
| each year is used for jewelry, so it's a fact that can't | | | | Manufacturing practices |
| be overlooked when considering the environmental | | | | Local production |
| friendliness of your jewelry. | | | | - As manufacturing costs in the US and other |
| - However, there are a few steps you can take to | | | | developed countries have risen, jewelry has |
| ensure that your jewelry is utilizing sustainable metal: | | | | increasingly moved to off-shore production in |
| - Inquire with jewelers if they are using recycled | | | | countries such as Bali, Thailand and China. While the |
| metal. With so much metal already in circulation in | | | | economic impact may be positive for both jewelers |
| finished product or raw material form, many jewelers | | | | and consumers, the environmental impact is typically |
| use only recycled metals to create new products. | | | | negative. Off-shore production requires shipping |
| This ensures that no further mining was required to | | | | product over great distances, increasing the carbon |
| create your new jewelry. And simply asking these | | | | impact of your jewelry. Local manufacturing |
| questions reinforces to jewelers that their consumers | | | | decreases the carbon footprint of your products |
| care - if they're not using recycled metal, they will | | | | while also creating viable economic opportunities for |
| start once enough consumers ask! | | | | local artists. Furthermore, local production enables |
| - Sign the No Dirty Gold pledge. The No Dirty Gold | | | | greater oversight of the quality of working conditions |
| campaign was started by Earthworks, a non-profit | | | | and payment of fair wages and benefits. |
| organization, with the intention of creating awareness | | | | General facility practices |
| of the negative environmental and social impacts of | | | | - Just because a company is local, doesn't mean that |
| gold mining and forcing change in the industry. Learn | | | | it's operating in an environmentally friendly manner. In |
| more at | | | | particular, jewelry manufacturers should be concerned |
| - Look for No Dirty Gold signs at your jewelry store. | | | | about using non-toxic substances wherever possible |
| Retailers are also playing a key role in instigating | | | | and maximizing waste/scrap collections to recycle |
| change in the mining industry. | | | | metal. This should be in addition to basic green |
| Stones: | | | | practices that all businesses should observe such as |
| - Diamonds and the Kimberly Process. Conflict | | | | water usage reduction, recycling of office supplies, |
| diamonds, sometimes called blood diamonds, are | | | | use of energy efficient products, such as lightbulbs, |
| diamonds that are sold to fund the unlawful and illegal | | | | weather strips, etc. Review the websites of your |
| wars of rebel groups seeking to overthrow | | | | favorite jewelers to research their green practices; if |
| internationally recognized governments. In 2000, | | | | they don't mention anything about their practices, |
| South African countries with a legitimate diamond | | | | send them an email. Make your voice and concern |
| trade began a campaign to track the origins of all | | | | heard!ethicalmetalsmiths.orgmadisondialogue. |