Ethical gold?

Submitted by debra on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 22:04.

ETHICAL GOLD

What is "Ethical gold?"-

I found myself asking that exact question a few weeks ago when a customer approached me asking if I could create her rings from it,I was'nt exactly sure what she mean't so decided I needed to find out more!

I had heard the term loosely thrown around in conversation -we live in an era where being green and "eco" friendly is not deamed dirty  hipppie anymore ,but is quite the norm -at a recent dinner party I found most of us got quite excited discussing how our vege gardens were growing or how many worms were wriggling in our compost...It's either we are becomming more aware ,or premature senility is creeping in!(ie: old age!).

I've alway's been a bit of greenie-and over the past 10 years have tried my darndist to "reuse,recycle,relove" In all aspects of my life....

Anyway back to the gold -I decided to look a little more deeply into the topic and began to find many varying degrees of how gold can be classified as "Ethical".

Gold has started crusades,humans have collected,coveted and fought bloody battles over it, it is the stuff legends and myths are made of ...

It is also mined.

Mining has a long history of of abuse-not only to the earth  but the people and creatures who inhabit around it's vicinity .No amount of fancy pants  wording can cover up the fact open cast mining -which is used in many countries causes ecological chaos.Substances such as mercury,arsenic are often used to bring the gold to the surface causing widespread contamination in many countries.The quest for gold has displaced many indigineous people from their homes.Even small artisan mines which supposedly are better for the environment in third world countries often use child labour.

There are many more informative articles out there to read and agencies such as Fairtrade striving to reduce the effects of gold mining-but while gold is in such demand for investment as well as jewellery it's difficult to regulate and to know exactly where it comes from.

In New Zealand our standards of mining are comparatively high compared to overseas practises.I called the refinery I purchase my metal from to ask them about where the gold was mined and how.

He explained the majority of  their gold is mined on the West Coast under tight government regulations-he was unfamiliar with the term "Ethical gold"but thought it could be confused with "recycled"gold...He had heard of small scale "boutique" gold mines on the West Coast -but failed to see how these could be classified as truly  "ethical".

Gold has alway's been recycled -it is too expensive to waste!From the  jewellers studio  to refineries old jewellery is melted down to be remade into new pieces.Gems are reused-something I often do -nothing is wasted in the jewellery industry-I also reuse all my packaging and plastic bags.

Two weeks on I am still at odds to find truly "Ethical' gold and conclude that maybe it's just a smart marketing ploy ?

As one jeweller put it to me it's like claiming to be vegetarian -but continuing to eat meat that's only been grown organically-it just does'nt wash!

You decide.