CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
SourcingMar 08, 2017
US Retailer Carrying Bridal Line Using Fairtrade Gold
Reflective Images in Santa Fe, New Mexico has become the exclusive retailer for U.K. jeweler Greg Valerio’s line in the United States.
Here are five rings from Greg Valerio’s “Classic” bridal collection, which is made entirely using Fairtrade gold. Santa Fe’s Reflective Images has become the first U.S. retailer to sell the line.
Santa Fe, N.M.--A New Mexico jeweler has become the first U.S. retailer to sell a complete collection of bridal jewelry producing using Fairtrade gold.
Reflective Jewelry in Santa Fe has started carrying Valerio Jewelry’s “Classic” bridal collection, created by United Kingdom-based activist and bench jeweler Greg Valerio.
The line will be sold exclusively at Reflective Jewelry’s boutique in Santa Fe as well as on the retailer’s website.
While Reflective Jewelry, which is the only certified Fairtrade gold jeweler in the United States, already produced some wedding rings and the majority of their bi-metal earrings, pendants and bracelets in Fairtrade gold, the company said the addition of the Valerio brand will “bring meaningful progress to the ethical jewelry space in the U.S.,” which trails the U.K. and European Union in both industry awareness and consumer understanding of Fairtrade gold.
“When Fairtrade gold is as well-known as Fairtrade coffee and chocolate, consumers will be able to have jewelry that represents fair and ethical trading practices and, at the same time, hundreds of thousands of people in small-scale mines around the world will be empowered to live better lives,” Reflective Jewelry President Marc Choyt said.
Fairtrade gold is part of the London-based Fairtrade Foundation, which works to ensure better prices, decent working conditions and fair trade for small-scale workers in a variety of industries, from various types of agriculture to gold mining.
There are more than 4,500 Fairtrade products--Fairtrade coffee is probably the most well-known and well marketed--and any item bearing the Fairtrade mark has been produced by organizations or farms that meet Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards.
Reflective Jewelry is a brand of Reflective Images Inc., which was founded in 1995 by Choyt and his wife, Helen Chantler.
The company’s business is built around ethical sourcing. It won a Sustainable Santa Fe award in 2014 and the 2010 Jewelers That Care national award for ethical leadership in the jewelry sector.
Choyt, along with Valerio, first met at the Madison Dialogue Ethical Jewelry Summit in 2007 and have worked together on campaigns and projects through the organization they founded, the Fair Jewelry Action network.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
WatchesApr 24, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
