Ethical Jewellery isn’t just Gold and Diamonds
Published April 2007
 With the recent release of the film Blood Diamonds starring Leonardo DiCaprio, there has been a lot of media attention focused on the issue of ethical jewellery. Although you are probably aware of the ethical issues associated with the production of gold and diamonds have you ever thought about the jewellery you buy for every-day wear or to go with the latest look?
We all love wearing a beautiful necklace, a new pair of earrings or bracelet but nobody wants to wear jewellery that has been made by an impoverished child in a sweatshop. However, in our excitement over a new purchase very few of us stop and ask retailers where they source their jewellery from. And even when you do remember to ask the likelihood is that you’ll be met with a blank look. Believe me I’ve asked a few times and some shop assistants clearly think I am a bit strange, or maybe a bit of a ‘greeny’.
I have to say I am not your typical ‘greeny’ – I’m a thirty something woman who likes to wear beautiful jewellery and dress fashionably but I also care about the environment and believe in fair trade. A quick trawl of my local high street and the internet shows that very few retailers are highlighting these issues and you have to ask why not? The more we as consumers question, the more likely retailers are to take the issues seriously and ensure they keep us informed.
Here’s a quick guide to what you can do as a consumer:
1. If you are looking to buy gold and diamonds take a look at the website for The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices www.responsiblejewellery.com for a list of retailers who have signed up to their code of conduct.
2. Ask your retailer where they source the jewellery from – can they guarantee it has not been produced in a factory using child labour? Are the workers paid a fair wage and are the conditions good? Even if they don’t know the answer they should endeavour to find out for you.
3. Check out your retailer’s ethical policy – if they have one. Do they use recycled content packaging and do they recycle themselves?
4. Ask your retailer if they offset their emissions and/or give a percentage of profits to charity? Responsible retailers should give consideration to all these areas.
5. Seek out individual jewellery designers many of whom are strong believers in fair trade – for instance, Ashiana’s handcrafted jewellery is produced in her own workshop in India where she is providing fair wages and good working conditions.
2007 is going to be the year of ethical fashion and the press is going to be full of stories – look at the recent coverage of high street stores such as Next who stock organic clothing and Marks and Spencer who have pledged to go carbon neutral. Jewellery retailers need to catch up if they want to maintain the interest of the increasingly ethical consumer.
By Charlotte Pritchard, Director of Jewel Garden – an ethical on-line jewellery boutique specialising in handcrafted jewellery from up and coming designers. www.Jewel-Garden.co.uk 
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