It has been 10 years since a group of ethically-minded jewelers joined together to make the first purchase of Fairmined Gold in the US. The group was comprised of members of Ethical Metalsmiths (EM), Hoover & Strong, The Alliance for Responsible Mining, as well as the help and commitment of like-minded jewelers and designers.
Photo credit: Will Nevins-AlderferWill Nevins-Alderfer, a member of EM’s Action Coalition, is heading the effort to bring Fairmined silver to the United States.
Will stated: “I am thrilled to announce that we have an opportunity to bring more Fairmined metal to market here in the USA. This time it is Fairmined silver! Silver often goes unnoticed as many of the precious metal initiatives focused on gold, but silver sourcing has significant environmental impacts, just like gold. It contributes greatly to mercury pollution and poisoning and environmental destruction. But we now have a grain option available to us that is mercury-free and from a certified Fairmined mine!”
Will further explains that “almost all of the Fairmined gold alloys available on the market use non-Fairmined silver in them. This seems contradictory to the values of using Fairmined, so let’s improve this and make some change by beginning the shift to 100% Fairmined alloys by using Fairmined silver.”
For more information, contact Will Nevins-Alderfer at will@wrmetalarts.com.
About Ethical Metalsmiths
Ethical Metalsmiths, founded in 2004, is a member-based nonprofit and a community of caring buyers, jewelers, designers, and suppliers. Committed to transparent, responsible and environmentally-sound practices for all facets of the jewelry industry, we strive to educate and connect people globally, from mine to market. EM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and membership is open to all, whether one is a “metalsmith” or not.
