Mining Issues
« Previous EntriesIntroducing Brilliant Earth’s New Website Features
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008In our continuing effort to provide as much detail as possible about the origins of our ethically sourced jewelry, we’re excited to announce the following recent additions to our website.
Colored gemstone mining is often conducted unscrupulously and in a manner that damages the environment and creates adverse labor and living conditions for miners and […]
Report on Child Gold Mining in Africa
Friday, August 22nd, 2008According to United Nations reports, 1/5 of the world’s gold comes from primitive bush mines in Africa, South America and Asia, which are being mined by children as young as four years old. These impoverished children are lured by promises of $2/day wages, of which they typically only receive a fraction. The children are required […]
Canadian Diamonds Assessment
Friday, August 22nd, 2008At Brilliant Earth, we carefully and continually monitor our gemstone and precious metal sources to ensure that they remain up to our high standards of ethical and environmentally responsible practices. We recently conducted a comprehensive assessment of the two mines from which we obtain our Canadian-sourced diamonds. Both mines were assessed for responsible Wildlife + […]
Madagascar Responds to Gemstone Smuggling Problem
Friday, August 22nd, 2008In response to the recent alleged smuggling of an astounding 1,179-pound rough emerald from Madagascar, the African island nation’s government imposed a ban on the export of all gemstones. While it has continued to haggle over the emerald’s return with a French company that claims ownership, the country is once again exporting cut and finished […]
Wal-Mart Introduces Love, Earth® Collection
Friday, August 22nd, 2008Mega retailer Wal-Mart has recently introduced a new collection of gold and silver jewelry that, according to its website, is “made with materials from sources that are committed to protecting the environment” and “designed to inspire a global fashion movement based on the precepts of recycle, reduce, and respect.”
Executive Order Prohibits Trade with Zimbabwe’s Minerals Marketing Corporation
Friday, August 1st, 2008President George W. Bush signed an executive order to expand sanctions against Zimbabwe. The executive order prohibits individuals and entities closely linked with President Robert Mugabe to operate with U.S. firms. It also forbids U.S. residents and businesses from conducting financial or commercial transactions with rough diamond supplier Minerals Marketing Corporation (MMC) of Zimbabwe, and […]
US Senate Bans Import of Burmese Gems
Thursday, July 24th, 2008Over 90% of the world’s rubies originate from Burma. Given the human rights abuses and totalitarian regime in Burma, Brilliant Earth has never sourced any gemstones from Burma. All of our gemstones are sourced in accordance with fair trade principles. A new law has been passed banning the import of Burmese Gems into the US. […]
Big increase in illegal gold mining
Monday, July 14th, 2008Illegal mining of gold has rocketed in many poor countries as gold prices have risen. This has created difficulties for established gold mining companies, dangers for the illegal miners themselves, as well as environmental problems.
Eight Killed at Guyana Diamond Mining Site
Friday, June 27th, 2008Reuters and Rapaport are reporting that unknown assailants shot as many as eight people at a remote diamond mining camp in Guyana, burning the bodies afterwards. Criminal gangs operating in the area are known for other similar attacks. They sometimes take refuge in the mineral-rich […]
Q&A: Artisanal Mining
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008A Customer Asks…
I’ve been hearing about “artisanal” mining and how it’s a big part of the jewelry industry. What exactly is it?
Brilliant Earth Answers.
Very few consumers and even retailers know exactly what artisanal mining is, and how important it is to the jewelry industry. The technical term is artisanal and small-scale mining, often shortened to […]