Fairtrade Practices Promoted by Independent Jewellers like Jon Dibben

Chopard, the Swiss-based luxury jewellery giant, has recently brought the need for greater Fair mining regulations and practices in the jewellery industry into the public eye. At this year’s Baselworld fair, Chopard launched the world’s very first timepiece made entirely from ’Fair mined’ gold. This bold move was a first for the commercial luxury jewellery industry but is nothing new in the world of independent designers. Jewellers, such as Jon Dibben, have been actively pursuing the Fairtrade and Fair mining cause throughout their careers.

The Human Existence in the Gold Mining World

The goal of the Fair mining effort is to encourage the development of small gold mining communities and their co-ops. The result is hoped to reduce the environmental damage of mining and improve the working conditions for the miners. Consumers, becoming more aware of the deplorable conditions that miners are forced to work in and the devastating environmental effect of some mining practices, are now demanding jewellery that has been crafted from materials sourced with concern for human welfare and sustainability in mind.

Jon Dibben was one of the first twenty designers licensed to make jewellery from the world’s first certified Fairtrade and Fair mined gold and platinum. Many of this independent designer-maker’s pieces display influences garnered from a love of nature and he stands by this passion by committing to making a stand against harmful mining techniques that pollute the environment and thus destroy his, and many others’ prized source of inspiration.

Ecologically mined platinum is even harder to come by. The Oro Verde mine in Columbia is the world’s first source of certified Fairtrade and Fair mined ecological gold which is mined without the use of chemicals. Jon Dibben uses platinum mined for Oro Verde for some of his designs and commissioned pieces, as it also meets the same ecological standards the mine uses for their gold.

The certification process behind Fairtrade and Fair mining of gold is still in its infancy and is not fully regulated. It is a system that works based on the genuine interest and honesty of the parties involved and their efforts to build a more structured set of guidelines for the industry to follow. To support the ideal behind the Fairtrade mission jewellers are also encouraging the use of recycled metals and using them to create some of the most exquisite pieces in the hope of leading by example.

It is, without a doubt, crucial to the Fair mining and Fairtrade efforts that major industry giants such as Chopard embrace and promote the necessary changes amongst its peers. However, the independent jewellers, such as Jon Dibben, already championing this cause will make these changes a reality for the public at large through their passion and creation of stunning one-of-a-kind ethically made jewellery.

Frank L Orman is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. Hosting designers like Jon Dibben and hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from princess cuts to engraved bands, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.