An Open Letter to The Responsible Jewellery Council and the Alliance for Responsible Mining
We, the undersigned, are writing to express our concerns in regards to the Fairtrade and Fairmined gold label, in context to the current relationship between the Alliance for Responsible Mining and the Responsible Jewellery Council. We are concerned about how this relationship might impact the jewelers currently selling, and those interested in selling Fairtrade and Fairmined (FT/FM) gold in the future. We are also concerned for the strength of the Fairtrade and Fairmined brand, the enhancement of the quality of life for artisanal and small-scale miners and the expansion of responsible mining practices everywhere.
From its conception, the Fairtrade and Fairmined standard for gold and associated precious metals was the realization of a dream shared by small-scale miners and jewelers. The result of this collaboration is the FT/FM brand and story based upon traceability and transparency from FT/FM certified mines. The purity from source is critical. Therefore, all gold labeled as Fairtrade and Fairmined must continue to be traceable from a certified FT/FM mine, to a Fairtrade and Fairmined license holder. Gold that is a mixture of FT/FM gold and gold from other sources (mass balanced gold), must not have any association with the FT/FM product, the certification process, or any vague association with fair trade language.
We actively encourage RJC members to become a part of the FT/FM certification system by purchasing FT/FM gold, paying the FT Premium, and thereby making a positive contribution to future development and security of the certified communities. Any attempt to bypass this process would be a blatant attack not only on efforts to create a consistent consumer brand; but also on, the work that many have done to bring us where we are today. The chain of custody from producer through manufacturing must remain traceable, transparent and third party certified.
As FT/FM gold gains acceptance in the market through the pioneering efforts of smaller, artisanal jewelers, large companies will step into the market, which we view as an entirely positive development. However, systems must be put into place to assure that jewelers currently holding FT/FM licenses and jewelers who will be license holders in the future will continue to have full and complete access to purchase FT/FM gold.
We believe that FT/FM gold is a transformative opportunity for the artisanal small-scale mining community and jewelry sector. It is truly the most precious gold in the world. We hope to see the day when FT/FM gold is the first choice for all consumers who wish to purchase gold jewelry.
Thank you for considering these critical points. We request that you sign this open letter if you share the views expressed herein.
Christina Miller, Ethical Metalsmiths
Marc Choyt, Fair Jewelry Action USA
Greg Valerio, Fair Jewellery Action UK
Mike Angenent
Jeweltree Foundation
Open Source Minerals
Dr. Michael E Conroy
Colibrí Consulting — Certification for Sustainable Development
Shamsa Diwani,
Gemstyles Company and Sparkling Sun-Gem Company Tanzania
Katherine DalPra
Green Diva Jewelry
USA
Beth Gerstein
Eric Grossberg
Brilliant Earth
USA
Carolyn Barker Carolyn Barker Jewellery Australia Julia Turner Julia Turner Helen Chantler Reflective Images Inc. USA Amy Pieroni A Pieroni Design Gail Shaner Gail Shaner Shelby Fitzpatrick Shelby Ferris Fitzpatrick Ralph Parus Ralph Parus Susan Saul Susan Saul Design Amanda Hunter Amanda Hunter Designer Silversmith Amanda Quinby Amanda Quinby Hobbs Wells The Derelict Group, LLC Designed Silver, UK Raissa Bump Raissa Bump Jewelry & Knitwear T Lee T Lee Fine Designer Jewelry Orland Larson Ilektrom Design Studio
Jennifer Cross Gans
Jenny’s Jewels
Kim Carpenter
Todd Reed Inc. USA
Ute Decker
Ute Decker, UK
Karin Birch-Cromar
Salish Sea Silver Co.
Susan Kingsley Susie Ganch Ethical Metasmiths Genevieve Flynn G. Flynn Jeweler
Josh Humbert
Kamoka Pearl
Tahiti/USA
Kate Wilkonson Arcatus Jewelry, LLC USA Todd Pownell TAP Studios Boris Bally Bally Humanufactured, LLC Douglas Zaruba Vortex 13, LLC Sheena Thomas, Co- Elements, Ltd. Evelyn Colemandin Ekstasi Jewelry/OAK Collections, Inc. Thomas Michaels Thomas Michaels Designers. Savannah Lisle Harmony Jewelry USA
Sarah Kate Burgess
Sarah Kate Burgess
Robin Gaston
Uncommon Metals
Cassandra Adams
Cassandra Adams Architect
Julie Ashton
String of Blue Jewelry
USA
Linda Tien
James Hutchinson
4th Street Gallery
Rosemary Mifsud
The Story of Two
Judy Geib
Judy Geib Plus Alpha, LLC
Marianne Hunter
Marianne Hunter
Susan Crow
East Fourth Street Jewelry
Michele Ratté
Michele Ratté Textiles
Jennifer Trude
Trudesign Metalsmithing
Daniel Szwaczkowski
UTEP
Sarah West
Sarah West Designs
Susan McCauley
Susan McCauley
Nina Dinoff
Nina Dinoff Jewelry
Wanesia Spry-Misquadace
Wanesia Fine Arts
B.M.Friedl artist
Beate Maria Friedl
Gary Roberts
Ruby Fair
Tanzania
Christine Lawrence Caratess (UK)
Vivien Johnston BA(HONS) FRSA — Fifi Bijoux, UK
Tessa Holland, Jeweller, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Ardis Bartle
Apex Measurement and Controls
Audrée H.St-Amour
Audrée H.St-Amour
Jennifer Trask
Trask Studio Jewelry
Dee Frost
Silverworkz Gallery.
Caz Guiney and Ali Limb
Northcity4
Cheryl Kelly
Metal Wear
Hattie Rickards Hattie Rickards Jewellery (DK)
Orland Larson
Ilektrom Design Studio
Anna Moltke-Huitfeldt,
Jewellery in Life
Denmark
Brooke Battles
Brooke Battles Design
Bethan Carr
Bethan Carr Jewellery
Linda Weiss
Linda Weiss Designs
Molly Dingledine
Molly Dingledine Jewelry
Felicity Peters,
Felicity Peters, Australia
Stefan Alexandres
Art
Nancy Zappala Pierson Metalsmith
Nanna Grønborg, Germany, Nanna Gronborg
Miia Turunen
LaNinja
Marina Belsito
Dalanisha
Linnie Mclarty
Linnie Mclarty (UK)
Melinda Nugent
Ethical Jewellery
Australia Pty Ltd
Katie Walker, Believer Jewellery Limited, UK.
Gina D’Onofrio
Jewelry Appraisal Services
Ryan Justin Holandes
Meriken Metals
Jimena Bolaños
Jimena Bolaños jewelry
Annika Rundberg
Annika Rundberg
Catherine Pépin
Catherine Pép
Elisabetta Brodaska
Eco Fairtrade Jewellery Designer — Italy
Juliet Cline
Juliet Elaine Design
Charlene Modena
Modena Designs
Erin Fader
Erin Fader Jewelry Design
Naomi Padowicz
Mietek Padowicz
Becky Thatcher
Becky Thatcher Designs
Julia Thompson
Designer Maker in Silver & Gold
Renee Mendola
White Goat Studio
Linda Weiss
Linda Weiss Designs
Michelle Lenáe Jewelry
Goldsmith, Fine Jewelry Artist
Mary Jo Goralski
Jamie Windhaeuser
Michael Goralski
The Jewelry Mechanic, Inc.
Penny Payne
Olive & Reg (UK)
Caroline Lepargneur
Cachou Bijoux
Claudia Abderhalden
Claudia A. designs (US)
Jorge Arrieta
Niccolo Bella
Jessie Turner
Jessie Turner Designs
Wiebke Goos
Goos Jewellery
Germany
Erin Daily
Brooklyn Metal Works
Rochelle Dodson
Rochelle Dodson
Robin Halpin
RxRox Jewelry
Barbara Heinrich
Barbara Heinrich Studio, LLC
Ursula Bettmer
Bettmer-Gold
Germany
Laura Ryan
Gemologist
Brazil
Ingeborg Ohly
Bijohly
Germany
Tania Kowalski
Synnove Saelthun
Oria Jewellery
Margherita de Martino Norante
April Doubleday
(UK)
Kristen Bak
Baks
Denmark
Carol Dacre
Contemporary Jeweller,
New Zealand
Professor Patricia Madeja
Patricia Madeja Studio Jewelry — Pratt Institute
USA
Meghan Connolly Haupt
Sulusso, USA
Spring Rees
Spring Rees
Neke Moa
Maori Jewellery
New Zealand
Godfrey Gardner
Jewellery Designer, UK.
Jo Taylor
Tootsie Valentine UK
Blanca Schusterman
Jewelry by Blanca
Elyse Demaray,
Demaray Designs
Felicia Szorad
Independent Jewelry Artist
Joe Muench
Associate Professor of Jewelry Iowa State University, USA
Ed Lay
Educator/Metalsmith
Breeta Toma,
Vitriarts
David Crump
Vipa Designs Ltd
UK
Gina Johnson
Chocolate Couture (UK)
Alan Frampton
CRED Jewellery UK
Ben Manning
Utopian Creations
Australia
Anna Loucah
Fine Jewellery
Judith Lotter
Kleinodien-Werkstatt
Germany
Thomas Becker-
Atelier für Schmuck
Germany
Alexandra Simpson
Enchanting Jewellery Design UK
Amanda Li Hope
Amanda Li Hope UK
Jan Spille
Jan Spille – Schmuck
Germany
Jane Macintosh
Jane Macintosh Jewellery
UK
William Rohtert
Geologist and Gemologist
USA
Harriet Kelsall
Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design UK
Martha W D Bushnell
W D Bushnell
USA
Liv Runa Ditte Thrane
Jewelry Students
Hereford College UK
Samantha Rose
September Rose Ethical Jewelry
UK
Julia Bray Garretson
Julia Bray Garretson Jewelry
Anna Bario
Bario-Neal jewelry- USA
Ian Doyle
Associate, Lifeworth Consulting: France
Andrea Antonucci, Andrea Antonucci Ädelstenar
Sweden
Cindy Dennis Mangan Jewellery Designer Manufacturer UK
Individuals
Mariah Jo Layton Marie
Vanek
Stefan Padowicz
Erin Pinto
Laura Judith Ryan
Erika Miller
Magdalena Goudie
Total number of signatures 152
Greg Valerio 