At Svendsen Jewellery we believe in minimalism. Minimal design, minimal lifestyle and, more importantly, minimal impact on the environment. Our aim is to be as ethically and environmentally responsible as we can. All Svendsen Jewellery is designed and handcrafted in Cornwall using either 925 sterling silver (Fairmined or Ecosilver where possible) or 18kt Fairtrade/Fairmined Gold.’

FAIRTRADE GOLD

Fairtrade is a global certification system that works across a number of product areas to ensure a fair price for producers as well as an additional social premium which is invested back into their communities.

Fairtrade works with artisanal small-scale miners to improve working conditions and reduce the use of dangerous chemicals used extract the gold from its ore. It further supports them in gaining legal status for their organisations and securing better workers’ rights through collective action.

Fairtrade guarantees a minimum price and in addition to this a premium of $2,000 per kilo of gold sold which is used for projects collectively agreed on by the miners such as improving healthcare, investing in education or environmental protection.

Find out more at the Fairtrade Foundations website.

I am proud to be a Fairtade registered goldsmith.

FAIRMINED GOLD

The Fairmined scheme seeks empower and reward small scale mining companies by using an assurance label that shows that the gold has come from regulated artisanal sources. It believes that this sort of responsible mining can have a positive impact on communities whilst also ensuring high environmental standards.

Fairmined gold is guaranteed to have been produced in responsibly managed mines and as well as guaranteed fair price for miners. As with Fairtrade gold, it also pays an additional high premium. This money is invested in the mines themselves as well as social development and environmental improvement schemes.

Of course there are still environmental impacts from even small-scale mining, but consumers purchasing Fairmined gold can do so safe in the knowledge that it has been responsibly mined and the miners have been paid a fair price for their work.

Find out more at the Fairmined website.

I am proud to be Fairmined licensed brand.

Photo credit: Alliance for responsible mining (ARM)

FAIRMINED ECOLOGICAL GOLD

Fairmined Ecological Gold is produced under the same strict standard for responsible mining as Fairmined Gold in terms of social, organizational and economic criteria. But there is one difference. Where regular Fairmined Gold and Fairtrade Gold is produced with responsible management and reduction of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, miners producing Fairmined Ecological Gold do not use any toxic chemicals at all in their extraction processes.