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Santa Fe, N.M.--Jewelry, environmental and mining stakeholders met here late last month to facilitate the broad introduction of Fairtrade and Fairmined gold in the U.S. market next year.

Fairtrade and Fairmined gold certification is the result of joint effort between Fairtrade International (FLO), a Bonn, Germany-based group of 25 organizations that works to secure better deals for producers of a variety of products worldwide, and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM).

Together, the organizations created a set of standards for responsible mining for artisanal and small-scale miners. The miners have to adhere to these standards, which include democratic organization, safe working practices, management of toxic chemicals, as well as respect for the environment and women’s rights, to become certified.

Those who are certified will receive a guaranteed Fairtrade and Fairmined minimum price for their gold, which, in turn, will be reinvested in community projects and used to improve mining operations.

Flo-Cert, an independent, international certification body, will audit mining organizations to ensure compliance.

Hosted by Fair Jewelry Action and Ethical Metalsmiths, the meeting was attended by: Larry Bohlen of Green Leaf Gold, Eric Braunwart of Columbia Gem House, Marc Choyt of Fair Jewelry Action and retail store Reflective Images, Christine Dhein from the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and Green Jewelry News, Bill Gallagher of Lori Bonn Designs Inc., Genevieve Ennis Hume of Hume Atelier in Canada, Christina Miller of Ethical Metalsmiths, Toby Pomeroy of Toby Pomeroy Jewelry and ARM, and Greg Valerio of United Kingdom-based Fair Jewellery Action.

It took place Oct. 29 and 30 in Santa Fe. Other areas of concern discussed included colored gemstones, diamonds, other precious metals and manufacturing.

For more information, visit FairGold.org, CommunityMining.org or FairTrade.net.

The meeting of this group in Santa Fe marks the latest effort in the jewelry industry to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), which conducts third-party audits and certifies its members’ supply chains against its own set of ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards, now has more than 350 members, 64 of which are certified.

De Beers’ branded diamond the Forevermark, which was introduced in the U.S. market just this year, emphasizes responsible sourcing as one of its three ideals.

And back in August, industry veteran Martin Rapaport announced that the Rapaport Group was introducing and implementing a certification and grading system for tracking diamonds from mine to market. Diamonds will be given different “ethical grades” according to their origin.