True North states that its development plans are beneficial to local people and economies. They have hired Inuit people and will be required to pay taxes and royalties. They also argue that the scale of their operation and the capacity of their equipment will allow them to find much higher quality stones than ever before, whose proceeds will benefit both the national economy and local communities.

However, the Greenland Inuit argue that they are already being shut out of their tribal land and prevented from collecting rubies, to which they believe they have an aboriginal right. Not only are rubies used for ritual purposes, but also the Inuits believe that they should be able to sell and reap direct benefits from the resources of their own land.

Brilliant Earth supports responsible mining practices and we will continue to watch this situation evolve. It is our hope that True North will truly make the commitment to their local community.

Over the years Smillie has consistently pointed out the failure of the Kimberley Process to meet controversial issues head on: “The Kimberley Process has been confronted by many challenges in the past five years, and it has failed to deal quickly or effectively with most of them: smuggling and fraud in Brazil, and issues of even greater importance in Côte d’Ivoire/Ghana, Guyana, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and now Guinea and Lebanon… in the case of Venezuela, we have effectively condoned diamond smuggling - the very thing we were established to prevent.”

In true form, Ian Smillie is still on the forefront of breaking conflict diamond issues to the masses. While the Kimberley Process has suffered much critique in the past six years, Smillie’s choice to resign has undeniably delivered the most cutting blow in its history. In denouncing the Kimberley Process’s ability to achieve its sole purpose of preventing diamonds from fueling conflict and human rights abuses, Smillie casts doubt on the diamond industry’s ability to reform itself.

We share Ian’s anxiety regarding the human rights abuses prevalent in the diamond industry and the influx of illicit and conflict diamonds still entering the market. Unfortunately, the Kimberley Process has done nothing to address the variety of human rights abuses that are not covered by its mandate including child labor, state sanctioned violence, worker exploitation, health & safety violations, and wages below subsistence rates. And even in the domain of diamond-financed civil war, there have been glaring gaps in the application and enforcement of Kimberley Process guidelines. We fear that the industry’s embrace of the Kimberley Process has significantly lessened the pressure to reform and solve these problems.

Despite the problems with the Kimberley Process, there are other ethical options for conscious consumers. Consumers should look for conflict-free and ethical origin diamonds that are independently tracked from the country and individual mine of origin to ensure high standards of social and environmental responsibility. Canadian diamonds remain a clear choice as are emerging programs for responsibly mined, cut, and polished stones from Namibia. These diamonds have been carefully traced to ensure environmentally responsible and fair labor practices throughout their chain of custody.

As the problems of the Kimberley Process have become more obvious and the traditional diamond industry has shown little initiative to broaden the scope of its reform efforts, the shaping of a responsible diamond industry is now in the hands of the conscious consumer who has the power to demand responsibly sourced jewelry products.

Too Precious to Wear is a campaign created by SeaWeb, a nonprofit organization that educates consumers and industry professionals on coral conservation. Not only do they recruit fashion industry leaders to campaign for conservation, but also they support and promote strong government legislation for protecting corals. We encourage you to take a moment to sign their coral pledge (we did!) and help to spread the word that coral destruction is dangerous and intolerable.

In the meantime, one thing that we can all do directly is to prevent coral from being harvested for jewelry and décor by not purchasing such items made from coral. Look for designer and fine jewelry made from recycled metals and ethical origin gems.

Long after your big day has passed, your wedding bands will remain a visible and beautiful reminder of your shared past, your values, and your dreams for the future. Before you select your wedding bands, read these tips on how to find a wedding ring that fits your taste, ethics and price range.

1. Consider your style. Are you classic, artistic, sporty or modern? Going against your personal grain when selecting a ring might make you regret your choice down the road. You’ll also want to be sure that your wedding band matches the style of your engagement ring. If your engagement ring is modern, look for channel-set or bezel-set wedding bands, possibly with a matte finish. If you have a vintage or antique-style ring, milgrain detailing and bead-set or pavé diamond accents will be beautiful stylistic complements.

2. Consider matched sets. For a truly unified visual impact, a wedding band that perfectly matches the style of your engagement ring can’t be beat. Brilliant Earth offers a variety of matched sets. View our engagement settings and accompanying wedding bands for numerous different style options.

3. Consider relevant cultural or family traditions that might influence your wedding band selections. More ornate designs accented by milgrain or engraved details are a staple in some cultures while plain metal bands are the norm in others. In some traditions, the new bride even receives two wedding bands - score!

4. Consider starting your own meaningful tradition. Have your family members recycle jewelry that they no longer wear toward your wedding bands. Your rings will be not only eco-friendly, but will also be a symbol and constant reminder of your loved ones. Contact a Brilliant Earth representative to learn more about assisting guests with recycling their old jewelry for a credit toward your wedding band purchase.

5. Consider keeping metals consistent. If you will be wearing your engagement ring and wedding band on the same finger, it’s important that they be made of the same metal. Platinum, gold and palladium all behave differently over time. Also, more durable metals may cause less durable metals to scratch and wear more quickly.

6. Consider stacking rings and wider bands. If a classic engagement ring isn’t your style, think about wearing multiple bands or one larger stand alone band. Multiple bands can each symbolize different milestones in your lives - engagement, wedding, honeymoon, kids - and can be mixed and matched for varying stylish effects. Selecting a single wider band is another stylish look for those who prefer something a little different from the traditional engagement ring and wedding band combination.

7. Consider engravings. While choosing a beautiful ring for the world to see is important, inscribing it with a deeply personal message makes it a truly enduring symbol of your love. Personal vows, short quotations, or simply the date of your wedding engraved inside your bands will be a private gesture of love and commitment for years to come.

8. Consider whether or not to solder your engagement ring and wedding band together. While it may seem convenient to have the feeling of just one ring on your finger instead of two, once they are fused you will not be able to wear them separately. It may also be worth considering whether or not you will want two rings to pass down to future generations.

9. Consider the durability of your gems. Diamonds and sapphires are the two most popular choices for wedding and engagement rings because they are as durable as they are beautiful. Some precious stones, such as peridot and opal, do not hold up well to wear and tear, and may not be the wisest choice for an item of jewelry designed to last a lifetime and beyond.

10. Consider your budget and your financial future together. When confronted with the many beautiful choices of wedding rings, you might be tempted to exceed your budget. We recommend that you set your budget and stick to it! You’ll want to begin your life together on the right financial foot. Plus, you can also look forward to milestones and special anniversaries for further jewelry purchases down the road.

Since the San Martin mine began operating in 2000, independent agencies have conducted tests and detected widespread pollution in the vicinity of the mine. Precious agricultural land has been damaged and hazardous quantities of cyanide, arsenic and other heavy metals have been detected in water sources flowing through the mine’s boundaries. Local populations have subsequently complained of health problems, including respiratory, skin and gastro-intestinal diseases. It is widely believed that these ailments are caused by contamination of local drinking water sources by mine runoff.

A primary suspect in the pollution is the San Martin mine’s use of a controversial cyanide heap-leaching method to extract gold from deposits. The process is banned in some US states because it is known to release dangerous pollutants into groundwater if not very carefully managed.

Unfortunately, Goldcorp is but one of many large-scale mining companies worldwide that practice little or no responsibility to the environment or the health and well-being of local communities. Two aid agencies, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Development and Peace, are leading the demand for justice in Honduras and are calling on Goldcorp to clean up its toxic mess and to compensate local populations for damages.

But there is more to be done in the way of pressuring irresponsible corporations to clean up their act, and much of the power is in the hands of conscious consumers. As a consumer, look for fine jewelry made from recycled precious metals or certified fair-trade Colombian gold from Oro Verde. By doing so, you will help to decrease the global demand for newly mined gold and diminish the environmentally and socially destructive effects of dirty gold and other metal mining practices.

In addition to making responsible choices as a consumer, you can let you voice be heard by sending your letters of concern to Goldcorp President and CEO Kevin McArthur, urging Goldcorp to negotiate in good faith with the local communities they have harmed.

Kevin McArthur, President and CEO of Goldcorp Inc.
Park Place
Suite 3400-666 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2X8
info@goldcorp.com
directors@goldcorp.com

From the earliest stages of planning the mine, Diavik consulted extensively with local communities about the mine’s operation and its impact. Now that the mine is in full operation, Diavik is continuing its commitment to providing significant training, employment, scholarships, apprenticeships and business opportunities to residents in local communities of the Northwest Territories and the West Kitikmeot region of Nunavut. We are pleased to report that in 2008 the Diavik Mine exceeded its community-building goals by enrolling 19 Aboriginal apprentices in its apprenticeship program.

The operational workforce of the Diavik Mine comprises 67 percent Aboriginal and northern non-Aboriginal workers. Also in line with the mine’s goals, 70 percent of the mine’s capital and operating expenditures was used in commerce with northern businesses, many of them Aboriginal.

The Diavik Mine’s quality of labor and hiring practices, and integration into the local community help make this mine one of the most progressive mining operations in the world. This type of comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship and community involvement is a model not only for the diamond mining industry but also for a wide range of manufacturing and extraction industries.

The seized emerald mines are located in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan. The region is known to produce relatively small quantities of poor-quality gemstones. Due to their inferior quality, Swat emeralds are most often cut very small and used as accents in jewelry. Because the emeralds are typically cut so small, they are difficult to trace, making them far easier to push into the international market if jewelers are not carefully tracking and verifying origin for their gems.

Colored gems are notoriously difficult to trace. Despite various regulations that have been made against colored gems, such as the U.S. boycott against Burmese gems in 2008, controversial gems are still making their way into international markets. Once absorbed into these markets, the gems are not only fuelling the war efforts of groups like the Taliban, but the trade of these gems is also supporting atrocious human rights violations such as child labor and low wages, which are especially common in the emerald trade.

While any regulatory efforts should be applauded, it is quite difficult to keep gems like these out of legitimate markets. The only way to ensure that you are not taking part in the trade of these controversial gems is to be completely aware where your gems originate from. Conscious consumers should always ask for certification of origin when purchasing jewelry.

Brilliant Earth is committed to sourcing gemstones solely from mines that practice social and environmental responsibility. Our partners in Colombia are breaking ground in the ethical origin jewelry industry by working to develop certification standards for fair trade emeralds. All of our emerald jewelry pieces will always come with a Certificate of Origin that guarantees their ethical origin.

Read more about colored gemstone issues facing the jewelry industry.

1. Opt for one special ring in place of both an engagement ring and wedding band. Look for rings with ornate patterns, unique details, conflict free diamond accents, or a more substantial width to serve as your all-in-one symbol of love and commitment.

2. Instead of giving an engagement ring with a larger center stone, give her multiple bands - each with its own meaning - that she can stack. One for the engagement, one for the wedding, another to symbolize your families coming together….The possibilities are endless!

3. Purchase your wedding bands before purchasing the engagement ring. This way you will both have a ring to wear as a symbol of your love for one another. You will have plenty of time together to design that perfect conflict free diamond ring down the road.

4. While platinum is a beautiful choice, you may want to consider the less expensive 18K while gold option, or even alternative precious metals, such as palladium. Palladium is a naturally white precious metal from the platinum family, but costs less than both platinum and gold. All of Brilliant Earth’s rings are also available in recycled palladium- contact us for more information.

5. Select classic, recycled metal wedding bands. They are simple, understated and elegant, and are reminiscent of many of our parents’ traditions. They are also a beautiful, classic accompaniment to any diamond engagement ring.

6. Select an ethical origin sapphire center gem for your engagement ring, which is more affordable than most diamond options. Precious sapphires have been revered all over the world for centuries. They are very durable, and are therefore an excellent choice for engagement and wedding rings. Deep-blue sapphires are most well-known, but they also come in many other colors, including pink, orange, green, yellow and purple.

7. Select recycled metal rings that gleam with light-catching details, such as milgrain and engraving. These brilliant features will make your ring sparkle without the additional cost of diamond accents.

8. Take advantage of upgrade policies! You’ll want to start your life together in a strong financial position, so be realistic about what you can truly afford. Down the road you will be able to upgrade to a larger conflict free diamond - which will be an especially romantic gesture of your growing love.

9. Recycle your gold and platinum jewelry that you no longer wear for a credit towards any Brilliant Earth purchase. By selecting jewelry made of recycled metals, you will help to decrease the global demand for newly mined metals. Contact a Brilliant Earth customer service representative if you are interested in sending us your jewelry for recycled metal credit.

10. Shop online! You won’t be paying the retail store overhead for bright lights and glass display cases. Brilliant Earth will even ship your rings to you with free fully insured next day shipping.

We strive to provide our customers with great customer service and an informative, easy-to-navigate site, and want you to feel as confident with your choice as if you’d held it in your hands. Since we launched the virtual shopping experience, our customers have given us fantastic positive feedback about how informative it was for them. We hope this virtual experience is as helpful for you!

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Additionally, The Money Stone goes behind the political scenes to explore the impoverished West African nation’s struggle to create and enforce mining policies. Both politicians and non-government organizations navigate the ethically ambiguous line between regulating the dangerous illegal mining practices and supporting the interests of international mining corporations that bring much-needed revenue to the Ghanaian economy.

Gold mining is not only plagued by poor governmental regulations, and heightened political tensions, but also the practice is extremely environmentally destructive. Recycled metals are an important component of Brilliant Earth’s commitment to the environment and social responsibility.

View The Money Stone’s website to learn more about the film, view the trailer, or donate to the production.