Could Fairtrade diamonds soon be on your jewellery wish-list?

There is mention of a prospective exciting new Fairtrade development in Greg Valerio’s latest blog post! Having just been named as one of the 3 shortlisted entrants in the Global Campaigner section of The Observer’s Ethical Awards 2011, Greg has begun to conquer the Fairtrade and Fairmined gold world after years of tireless campaigning and developmental work. And now Greg seems to have set his sights on diamonds!



Could diamonds become Fairtrade?



Opulent Ethics have previously talked about the Kimberley Process and how it is not living up to its word in our “Is the Kimberley Process ruining Zimbabwe and can it ever work?” post from 31^st October 2010. At the time Opulent Ethics questioned whether, after making devastating decisions such as allowing Zimbabwean Marange Field Diamonds to be sold with Kimberley Process backing, it would ever be able to recover and whether the Kimberley Process could ever be trusted by retailers the world over.

Under the ideas being proposed by Greg Valerio certain diamond cooperatives would come under the auspices of the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation. In order to achieve Fairtrade certification it is expected that diamond miners would have to reach similar rigorous standards to those attained by Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold mines in South America.

This would include transparency throughout the entire supply chain, equal pay for all, improved working conditions, assurances that the environment being mined is not being exploited and that once mining ceases that the area will be returned to a natural, sustainable locale. Of course, any Fairtrade development would only work with small-scale mining communities rather than large-scale mining companies and the additional Fairtrade premiums paid would go back into improving community infrastructure and conditions.

So is this all possible and could it ever provide ethically minded jewellers and consumers with the peace of mind they want? Well I am sure that Greg and others were wondering whether Fairtrade gold would ever be possible 10 years ago and look at it now; being worn on the Oscars Red Carpet by Olivia Firth and then being sold by Christies for Oxfam for £25,000, having some of the top jewellers in the UK signed up as Fairtrade Gold License Holders and having its own Hallmark.



Fairtrade and Fairmined gold bar which was unveiled on Feb 14th 2011



So Opulent Ethics believe 100% that Fairtrade diamonds can, and will be achieved. It will just take lots more hard work and campaigning from all involved. Good luck Greg!

That’s all for now….

Fairtrade fortnight festivities!

The last couple of weeks has been the annual Fairtrade Fortnight; a two week homage to all things Fairtrade. You may have been to one of the craft fairs which have been taking place or noticed that Fairtrade events have been plastered all over Facebook and Twitter. Whatever you have bought, seen or done over the past two weeks they all make a difference.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 poster

According to recent research undertaken by the Fairtrade Foundation, awareness of Fairtrade Fortnight this year was up by 10 million people since Fairtrade Fortnight 2010. That is a massive increase. Opulent Ethics hopes it keeps going.

If you have been on the Fairtrade Foundation website you will have noticed the massive amount of work that they have put into the event; encouraging Fairtrade towns, schools and church groups to take part, offering awards for those supporters who have really bent over backwards to raise awareness and even setting daily challenges on Facebook and Twitter to get you involved.

Of course, Fairtrade has already had an enormous impact on the jewellery industry so far this year with the release of Fairtrade and Fairmined gold on Valentines Day. This was then followed by the announcement that the wedding rings worn by Prince William and Kate Middleton may be Fairtrade. You can be just like Opulent Ethics and sign the GoPetition petition to convince the royal couple that their rings will be more beautiful if they use Fairtrade gold. And then there was Livia Firth wearing Fairtrade gold and a dress made of 11 other dresses on the Oscars Red Carpet. Busy busy busy!

Livia Firth wearing Anna Loucah's Fairtrade gold ring for the 2011 Oscars

And why is this of so much importance? Well, according to the Fairtrade Foundation there are 7.5 million people who work under Fairtrade principles to improve their lifestyles and communities and it is events like those taking place during Fairtrade Fortnight which are needed to continue raising awareness and increasing the numbers of people and communities that Fairtrade can reach out to.

With Fairtrade profits and participants rising year on year 2011 is going to be another exciting and busy year for all those who are involved. So well done to all who took part and keep up the hard work!

That’s all for now….