Fairtrade Gold

Making a difference

Gold is mined all over the world, the metal-rich rock, known as ore, is extracted from the Earth’s crust, often using primitive equipment and archaic practices. Globally, 90% of gold miners are artisanal and an estimated 10 million people worldwide rely on small-scale mining to support their families and communities. Miners work in remote areas and have few other options for making a living.

In non-Fairtrade small-scale gold mines, miners extract the precious metal using toxic chemicals such as mercury, which is harmful to human health and the environment. They simply can’t afford to use safer processing methods. This can cause birth defects, brain and kidney damage, and can contaminate water supplies, entering the food chain through poisoned fish. Small-scale gold mining is currently the largest source of mercury pollution in the world!

Fair Trade

Buying Fairtrade Gold makes a real difference to the lives of miners, their families and communities. Jewellery with the Fairtrade Gold Stamp is extra special. Buying it means you know the small-scale and artisanal miners were paid a fair price, giving them financial security.

Furthermore, Fairtrade guarantees that the communities living locally to the gold source are benefitting from sustainability initiatives carried out by the mining operation. Such initiatives include programmes centred on education, healthcare and agricultural prosperity to support a wide number of people.

Proud to support Fairtrade

We’re proud to offer Fairtrade gold as an option in all our products. We appreciate that you have a choice and might not wish to pay the Fairtrade premium, but for those who believe our buying decisions should be determined by environmental, ethical and social considerations, purchasing a Fairtrade gold product is the obvious choice. Please visit the Fairtrade website for more information or book an appointment to view samples of our Fairtrade range.