(c) Cox and Power
December 2012
The Alliance for Responsible Mining and the Fairtrade Foundation are proud to announce the launch of the world’s first ever Fairtrade and Fairmined (FT&FM) certified platinum jewelery made by the English pioneering platinum jeweler Cox & Power.
Using traditional techniques, 112 Afro-Colombian mining families in Chocó, from the Oro Verde Corporation, carefully filters the sediment of the rivers in the process of extracting Fairtrade and Fairmined (FT&FM) gold. The Chocó bioregion is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. The Oro Verde communities do not use mercury or cyanide. They ensure a sustainable use of the natural resources, restoring vegetation after recovering the metals promoting full recovery of the forest terrain.
Using the ecological platinum Cox & Power have created a beautiful set of earrings and a matching ring. ‘We have created a rare and timeless jewel with this very special platinum and the woman who wears it will be part of a unique and special story.’ Cox & Power plan additional pieces to arrive for Valentine’s Day. ‘These first unique pieces of platinum jewellery have made a transparent journey from their origins to boutique, from the miner to maker, to ensure a better deal and conditions for miners and to preserve the environment.’
The platinum forms part of a 1kg batch sold through Fairtrade and Fairmined (FT&FM) licensee Vipa Design Ltd and more jewelers are expected to closely follow suit by launching their own Fairtrade and Fairmined (FT&FM) platinum jewelery pieces.