Fairmined and Tracemark are joining key efforts in responsible and traceable gold sourcing

The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), creators of the Fairmined initiative, and

Tracemark are joining key efforts in responsible and traceable gold sourcing.

Chopard was the first high-end brand to launch a range of ethical jewellery when, in 2013, it launched a diamond cuff and earrings made from Fairmined gold. Courtesy Chopard.

Fairmined is an assurance label that certifies gold from small - scale mining organizations embracing responsible practices. It transforms mining into an active force for good, providing everyone with a source of gold to be proud of.

The Fairmined initiative was created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), a non - profit organization globally recognized as a leader and pioneer of responsible artisanal and small-scale mining. Fairmined raises awareness around the needs of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector and strives to make the gold industry more conscious about the positive impact their support can generate in the sector. Conscious consumers can also be a part of the change by purchasing products that tell a beautiful story of positive impact.

The partnership established between Tracemark, a worldwide standard for traceable

jewelry, and the global leading standard in responsible ASGM developed by Alliance for

Responsible Mining (ARM), the Fairmined standard, is a way to guarantee full traceability

of the gold used in a single piece of jewelry, by providing evidence on its journey

through the entire supply chain, from the mine to the hands of the end consumer.

This alliance was born out of shared values from the two organizations, which seek to

guarantee the protection of human rights and promote sustainable practices in the

extraction process of precious metals used in the jewelry industry. And one of the key

ways this can be achieved is by using segregated materials that have been extracted by

certified mining organizations that go through exhaustive audits every year to comply

with the Fairmined standard.

With this project, both organizations focus on incentivizing transparency in the jewelry

sector by providing the right tools to the end consumer, so that they can make purchasing

decisions that are aligned with their personal values, and that promote collaboration

among key actors of the supply chain towards a more ethical industry.

Tracemark, is the first organization that focuses on providing full traceability for each

individual piece of jewelry, from the origin of each one of its source materials, all the way

to the end consumer, ensuring that each step of the supply chain complies with the

highest standards in responsible sourcing. Tracemark has been internationally

recognized as the “Most innovative business of 2022” by the prestigious luxury

accelerator, Positive Luxury, for designing a unique traceability system based on in-house

technology that uses encrypted software.

The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), has been a leader in accompanying and

guiding small-scale mining organizations to adopt the best practices in the gold

extraction industry and has created internationally recognized standards that have

transformed the artisanal and small-scale mining sector (ASM). Fairmined is the highest

assurance label, that guarantees the gold produced by certified mines, has the most

ethical and responsible gold, following practices that preserve the environment and

promote fair mining. To ensure human rights, Fairmined certified mining organizations

must ensure working conditions comply with all safety and health regulations, promote

the well-being of miners and the community, ensure there is no child labor nor armed

conflict involved in the mining activity, promote gender equality, and ensure responsible

extraction and productions practices are met.

Fairmined & Tracemark, “The golden partnership, a key step towards ethical jewelry ”

This partnership signifies that the Fairmined standard has officially been included in the

Tracemark protocol. This means that the powerful regulated protocol is now combined

with an assurance label where traceability is met by complying with the strict guides of

the standard, going through annual third-party audits, and are also accredited by the RJC.

How does it work? Traceable pieces of jewelry that comply with the Fairmined standards,

follow the labeled sourcing model. Brands and suppliers that use this model, could opt

for Tracemark’s unique alphanumeric code engraved on a jewelry piece which is

accompanied by a QR code that will provide the end consumer, access to a traceability

panel containing the traceability information and the story of the origin or their piece

(including the mine it comes from, and the people involved in sourcing and producing it).

“The jewelry industry is an economic activity that feeds over 30 million families worldwide. The livelihood of over 150,000 people depend on the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

Considering this is a sector where irregular mining is predominant, we are faced with the need to promote changes and transparency in the sector. Sustainability is a long-run goal, and our responsibility as industry leaders is to promote sustainable development, ensure human rights, and protection of the environment. The collaboration between institutions is the way towards a bigger positive impact, and that is what this partnership symbolizes: Fairmined and Tracemark are an alliance to promote transparency."

Berta Serret – CEO & Founder Tracemark

“Our purpose is to transform artisanal and small-scale mining into a positive force, respectful of human rights and the environment, in this way we work hand in hand with the miners, and their communities and connect them with the markets that seek responsible gold. For us, this alliance with Tracemark means making Fairmined certified gold available to thousands of jewelers, which is part of a transparent supply chain. This alliance allows us to broaden the reach of our most important message: Fairmined precious metals are obtained with the best mining practices in the artisanal and small-scale sector, guaranteeing the protection of biodiversity and human rights.”

Laura Galvis - Market Development Officer of The Alliance for Responsible Mining