Operation: Fairmined
The Truth About Gold
For a long time, recycled gold was widely understood to be the ethical answer. Like many jewelers, we used it and spoke about it proudly. But as we continued digging into how gold actually moves through the supply chain, it became clear that “recycled” was not the solution we once thought it was.
The truth is, gold can be mined one week, poured into bullion the next, sold to a refiner, and labeled “recycled” almost immediately. The term itself is loosely regulated, full of loopholes, and can allow newly mined or even illicit gold to re-enter the market without accountability.
More importantly, recycled gold does nothing to improve the current mining industry. It doesn’t reduce harm, create safer working conditions, or invest in the communities where gold is actively being mined today. At best, it is an alternative; it is not a solution.
As we learned more, we knew we had to do more.
A New Standard: Fairmined Gold
There are an estimated 20 million artisanal and small-scale gold miners around the world. For many families, mining is their primary source of income — yet the industry is often tied to serious human and environmental harm, including mercury pollution, unsafe working conditions, child labor, gender inequality, and economic exploitation.
Illegal and illicit gold mining, particularly in the Amazon, continues to devastate ecosystems at an alarming rate. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is also the largest source of mercury pollution globally.
Fairmined Gold offers a real, verified alternative.
Developed by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), Fairmined is a rigorous third-party certification that ensures gold is sourced from responsible artisanal and small-scale mining communities. The standard prioritizes fair wages, safe working conditions, environmental protection, mercury reduction, gender equity, and long-term community investment.
The Fairmined premium is paid directly to mining communities and reinvested into social development, environmental initiatives, and improved infrastructure. Certification is not a one-time achievement; it requires ongoing audits and continuous improvement.
This is not symbolic change. It is structural change.
Why We Made the Shift
We’ve always offered Fairmined gold. In 2025, we took the next step.
After years of research, conversations with suppliers, and internal process changes, we made a decisive move: Fairmined gold is now the standard for nearly all of our rings with center stones and most bands. More styles will follow as access and infrastructure continue to expand.
This wasn’t the easiest path — but it was the most honest one.
Fairmined gold isn’t “more expensive.” It is the fair price for gold; a price that reflects safer labor, environmental responsibility, and direct investment in mining communities. By expanding our use of Fairmined, we are choosing accountability over convenience and impact over optics.
Why Not Recycled?
Gold has always been recycled. No one throws it away.
While recycled metals still play a role in our studio — including recycled silver and platinum — relying on recycled gold alone allows the mining industry to continue unchanged. The recycled label can obscure where gold actually comes from and create space for greenwashing rather than reform.
Our shift toward Fairmined gold is a deliberate move away from ambiguity and toward transparency.
Where We Are (and Where We’re Going)
It’s true: not everything can be made in Fairmined gold yet. Currently, Fairmined options are limited for certain components, including white gold chain, earring posts, and backs.
But instead of waiting for the industry to catch up, we’re choosing to help push it forward.
Through years of dialogue with suppliers, we’ve already seen progress — and we’ll continue advocating, partnering, and applying pressure until responsible options expand further. The obstacles don’t intimidate us; they motivate us.
