Meeting the Eco Challenges Pt.1

The world is changing, more miners, manufacturers, and designers prefer to act mindfully and morally, with regard for the environment and the people who live in it. I cherish the jewelry business. I have learnt over the years from working in it and it has allowed me the chance to cooperate in communities that I could never have dreamed conceivable. I have come to see that there is a unique responsibility for us as jewelry designer and producer to identify innovative courses to make helpful contributions to the social and environmental challenges we encounter.  It has been a while since we published our eco policy and education document and I just finished the revision of it. Can't wait to share with our partners and customers! Here's a sneak peek of the beginning chapter--

MEETING THE CHALLENGES

Place --

Is our source and supply chain transparent and traceable?

Hovey Lee works with local jewelry manufacturer that sources 100% reclaimed metals (recycled brass and silver) from certified recycle center. Our jewelry is free of toxic chemicals such as mercury, it is also lead, nickel and cadmium free. We rarely use karat gold unless we are certain of its vintage quality. The goal is to reduce the need for additional mining of precious metals that could be very harmful to our environment.

People --

Is it ethical, is there evidence of fair trade?

Our materials are sourced from the gemstone suppliers that adhere to fair trade sourcing standards. These standards ensure that gemstones are brought to the customer in a safe, socially and environmentally responsible way. We develop contracts that establish procedures for trading gemstones throughout the pipeline that shows origins and treatments of the stones. Prohibiting business practices such as child labors workers, unreasonable work hours, paying below minimum wages and environmental degradation.

Politics--

Are we raising concerns and asking questions?

We know diamonds and high karat gold can be the most problematic areas in the mining industry. A key concern is that of conflict gold and blood diamonds mined by rebel groups or militia, the proceeds of which are used to finance the purchase of weapons in regions of conflict or to finance corrupt governments, war lords or militia. As it is often difficult to trace these impacts, we find ourselves in the best interest to stay away and not engage in any buying and selling of these materials at all.