Going for gold?
Sep 6th, 2006 by Katie
This morning a newly engaged couple from London led a march along Oxford Street calling for jewellers to take action to ensure the gold they sell is mined ethically.
Independent Catholic News tells how a twenty strong congregation of CAFOD campaigners carried a 100 metre long signed gold chain petition to deliver to jewellery retailer Argos on New Oxford Street.
The couple has signed up to CAFOD’s Unearth Justice campaign, calling on UK high street jewellers to sign up to the ‘Golden Rules’, twelve principles for ensuring that gold mining does not destroy communities and the environment, and to work to ensure the gold they sell has been responsibly mined.
They said: “We want to be proud of our wedding bands, not feel guilty wearing them.”
Read Independent Catholic News’ account here: Wedding blues as couple search for pure gold
If you’re trying to choose your wedding rings but are concerned about the social and environmental issues, why not take a look at the Unearth Justice and No Dirty Gold campaigns?
And for companies who are already thinking about – and acting on – the issues, check out this little list…
April Doubleday
Cred Jewellery
Green Karat (US based)
Leber Jeweler – Earthwise Jewelry (US based)
Silver Chilli
Sumiche (US based)
Or you could ditch the metal altogether with…
Touch Wood Rings (US based)
Wooden Wedding Rings
Let us know which rings you opt for and why here - and if you have pics, we’ll post them on the blog!
Take care
Katie
ethicalweddings.com
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Hi Katie ~ thanks for your great work on the ethical weddings front! And thanks for suggesting Touch Wood Rings as an alternative to precious metals and gems. Folks we work with design their own wooden rings and David then takes their design and creates the ring. It’s a process we both really enjoy as we meet folks from all over the world at wonderful times in their lives.
Anyway, this is a long winded note to say ~ thanks for the mention and Touch Wood Rings is Canadian not US based. Proudly Canadian eh?!
With warmest regards
Nicola
Touch Wood Rings. From Canada to wherever you are in the world.
Thanks for these links, very useful. I eventually found this one that looks “clean” as well : http://www.brilliantearth.com
cheers
patrice
There are various independent jewelers in the US who work with recycled precious metals. One of them is me! I hand fabricate jewelry, instead of casting, which cuts out a major energy need. The electricity in my home/studio comes from renewable sources, and my commute is through the garden. I really enjoy working with couples on custom designs.