An Introduction To Fairtrade Gold Engagement Rings

Recent decades have seen Western society become more environmentally conscious than ever. While for the century or so since the industrial revolution ecology had been no more than a fringe concern and often overlooked in the name of the almighty capital, the past thirty or so years have brought it to the forefront, with many individuals and corporations striving to ‘go green’ and stop the rapid destruction of the planet’s resources.

One of the latest ways society has evolved to do so is Fairtrade mining. Contrary to the regular kind of geological exploration, which considerably damages the resources of the area around the mine, Fairtrade mining is done responsibly, and often in collaboration with self-employed miners from the region.

Among all the commonly mined minerals and ores, the one for which Fairtrade practices caught on most significantly was gold. The process of mining and trading gold may be somewhat less controversial than that of diamonds, but buyers will still want to err on the humanitarian side when purchasing their gold engagement rings. Fortunately, an increasing amount of companies and designers are striving to make sure their jewellery is made out of Fairtrade gold thereby helping the economy of the countries where the metal is mined and avoiding unethical practices.

Definition of ‘Fairtrade’

The term ‘Fairtrade gold’ arose after a partnership had been struck between Fairtrade International (the entity which oversees Fairtrade endeavours worldwide) and some of the main producers of gold engagement rings and other gold jewellery, calling themselves the Alliance for Responsible Mining. The objective of this partnership is to ensure small independent gold miners their livelihood by buying gold for jewellery items from them rather than from big corporate entities.

Couples who opt to use Fairtrade gold for their gold engagement rings will therefore be helping small-time miners in underdeveloped countries sustain their businesses. In addition to supporting these independent workers’ livelihoods, Fairtrade gold mining is undertaken in accordance with strict social and environmental criteria that must be adhered to in order to receive Fairtrade certification. Certification in turn guarantees the miners are paid a reasonable salary and are fairly compensated for their product.

Other Benefits

Aside from impacting the lives of the small business owners it rewards, Fairtrade certification for the gold industry also has an impact on their communities too. Small-scale mining companies tend to be significantly less mechanized than large corporate ones and therefore employ more local workers. In fact, while these sorts of companies represent only 15% of the world’s total gold production they employ 90% of its workforce.

It is clear, then, that buying Fairtrade gold engagement rings is one of the best ways to ensure your sparkly jewellery is ethically produced, and that your money is helping those most in need.

Laura L Bolick is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From gold engagement rings to princess cuts and 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.