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Summer Sale | 30% off Made to Order items and 50% off Quick Delivery items* - T&C's Apply
30 Day Returns | 0% APR Finance Available
Over the last ten years, 6.2 tonnes of gold has been exported under Fairtrade terms, and Fairtrade gold has become increasingly popular. In our guide, we'll explain what Fairtrade gold is and who it supports.
Fairtrade gold is gold that meets the standards set out by the Fairtrade Foundation, a non-profit network of certification bodies, trader networks and support organisations. To be certified as Fairtrade gold, it must meet the following standards:
Fairtrade gold programmes work largely with small-scale and artisanal gold miners rather than large industrial operations. Because of the smaller scale, gold is extracted manually. As an added incentive, the Fairtrade scheme pays a premium to help fund local projects that support these communities.
Fairtrade has introduced a minimum price for gold, set above the market rate. This protects miners' income if gold prices or markets crash.
Fairtrade standards require written contracts, safe equipment and training in hazard management. The scheme also prohibits child labour and forced labour entirely. Workers have the right to unionise and bargain collectively.
Fairtrade sets minimum standards to reduce environmental impact. Whilst smaller mining operations are naturally less harmful, gold mining uses water and produces toxic waste. The standards restrict mercury and cyanide use and require waste containment and land restoration after extraction.
Fairtrade tracks gold through rigorous documentation from mining to the assay office, creating accountability throughout production.
Peru is the largest Fairtrade gold producer globally. The country has a rich history of artisanal gold mining and well-established fair trade cooperatives. Other South American mines operate in Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador, where Fairtrade gold investment has supported conflict reduction.
In Africa, two main Fairtrade gold operations exist in Ghana and Tanzania, which have provided structure and accountability where government capacity has been limited.
The Fairtrade mark appears on certified jewellery or its documentation. Legitimate Fairtrade suppliers provide a certificate or batch documentation showing where the gold was mined, where it was processed and which certifying body audited it. Ask your jeweller for documentation if you are uncertain.
At Diamond Heaven, we operate a strictly ethical policy regarding every metal and diamond in our jewellery. We are proud to supply Fairtrade gold as part of a global effort to support small-scale miners and their communities.
Our team understands the questions ethical sourcing raises, and we’re here to guide you. Whether you’re exploring fairtrade gold or considering lab-grown diamonds, we’ll help you to find the pieces that align with your values. Book an appointment at any of our showrooms in London, Birmingham or Manchester, or contact us online to discuss fairtrade options for your custom design.
Visit one of our stores across the U.K with locations in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Belfast, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Brighton, Maidstone, Chelmsford, Guildford, Nottingham and Dublin.
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