Fairtrade Gold is more than just gold, it’s gold with heart. By sourcing Fairtrade certified Gold, you make an important difference for the people who mine this precious mineral as well as the environment. At the same time your commitment holds great value for the expanding segment of conscious consumers.
The Fairtrade Gold Standard is a beacon of economic, social and environmental progress for artisanal and small-scale miners. These miners are often disadvantaged in the global gold trade due to the prevalence of informality and the dependency from local intermediaries within the sector. Fairtrade works alongside the miners to promote formalization and establish longstanding partnerships through fair market access. For a brand at the other end of the supply chain, sourcing Fairtrade Gold is a simple way to create change with fair and traceable provenance. By using the widely recognized and trusted Fairtrade mark, you can emphasize your commitment to miners and their families to your customers.
Fairtrade combines a set of interventions to make a difference for people and planet. For businesses sourcing Fairtrade Gold, the following are of particular value:
Whether you are an independent goldsmith or a high-street jeweler, we hope you find the sourcing solution that meets your needs as a business. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to get in touch and discuss further options.
Below you find a list of authorised suppliers and manufacturers who are licensed to supply Fairtrade certified semi-finished precious metals to Fairtrade licensees and registered goldsmiths. All authorised suppliers are subject to regular independent audits against the Fairtrade Standards. Click on the links below for more information about each company:
List of authorised suppliers
ABT CASTINGS Specialists in Fairtrade Gold casting.
ALTRO CARATO Italian supplier of Fairtrade Gold semi-finished jewellery products
BETTS METAL Bullion & Jewellery Making supplier. Registered refiners and suppliers of gold sheet, strip, wire and grain. Also supply wedding rings.
COOKSON GOLD Suppliers of Fairtrade Gold bullion and semi-finished jewellery products including sheet, wire, grain and chain
CURTEIS Jewellery manufacturers supplying Fairtrade chain.
FAIREVER International suppliers of Fairtrade Gold semi-finished jewellery products, with a UK distribution presence.
HOCKLEY MINT Manufacturing jewellers, suppliers wedding rings, bespoke design, cast components, findings and jewellery parts
JOHNSON MATTHEY & BRANDENBERGER Swiss supplier of Fairtrade Gold semi-finished jewellery products, facilitator of local casting, selling also to international markets
MERRELL CASTING Casting in Fairtrade gold
VIPA DESIGNS Suppliers of Fairtrade gold, silver and casting.
WESTON BEAMOR Suppliers of Fairtrade gold, casting and manufacturing services.
If you would like to partner with Fairtrade in the Gold sector, please contatc the following addresses:
Why is Fairtrade only focusing on certifying gold mined by artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM)?
Fairtrade is about people and although most gold is sourced from large scale mines, the vast majority (an estimated 80%) of those working in gold extraction are engaged in ASM. An estimated 100 million people worldwide rely on artisanal and small-scale gold mining to support their families and communities. That’s the second largest sector in the world after agriculture.
The majority of small-scale miners are working in informal operations, making them vulnerable to many forms of exploitation. This is why Fairtrade works with small scale miners, because they represent a significant portion of the gold labour force and are most at risk for hazardous working conditions and creating widespread negative ecological and health impact.
Fairtrade seeks to strengthen ASM to secure sustainable livelihoods, combat poverty by creation of direct export at added value and continued field support to miners in improving processes and better protecting their environment and health
How is Fairtrade gold typically mined?
Fairtrade gold is mined with two different methods – alluvial and underground. Alluvial gold mining involves collecting gold from loose superficial sediments, while underground gold mining involves excavating tunnels to access and follow gold veins and deposits. The mining is done by organised miners formalized in cooperatives or cooperations, which employ workers and – depending on their economic progress – use basic tools or heavy machinery such as excavators and loaders. Nevertheless, the degree of mechanization is limited compared to medium- and large-scale gold mining.
Are there other precious metals or gemstones available under Fairtrade terms?
Fairtrade currently focuses exclusively on building up transparent gold supply chains, since the model can impact more mining communities across the globe. The potential and opportunities to scale the supply of Fairtrade Gold are abundant. Small amounts of silver are part of the raw gold (Doré) exported and segregated in the refining process, but the volumes do not currently align with commercial demand.
Can Fairtrade Gold be used in combination with other materials, such as gemstones or other metals?
The Fairtrade standard robustly regulates how Fairtrade Gold can be used and declared. Other metals, gemstones or pearls are allowed to be combined with Fairtrade Gold, since the label is exclusively focused on the fine gold content of a product. Therefore, other alloy metals and gemstones used are not Fairtrade certified.
What are the additional costs of Fairtrade Gold compared to conventional gold?
Sourcing Fairtrade Gold is linked with certain fixed costs such as the Fairtrade minimum price and Fairtrade premium as well as certification and licensing costs. You can find the applicable Fairtrade minimum price and premium in the interactive Fairtrade pricing table, and you can use the FLOCERT fee calculator to get a quote for certification costs. The traceable and segregated transport and processing of relatively small volumes of Fairtrade Gold increase the cost of production as well slightly. Other costs, depending on the final product including fees at refinery level, cannot be influenced by Fairtrade. Therefore, there is no specific number to indicate added costs linked to Fairtrade Gold, but get in touch with your local Fairtrade Organization for further support.
What is Fairtrade’s approach to recycled gold?
Gold, for its mere value, has long been reused and remelted. Therefore, most of the gold that’s ever been extracted is still in circulation today. The term “recycling” usually relates to products that otherwise would have been burned, deposited, or thrown away. From this perspective, in the precious metals context, recycling should only be used to describe reuse of gold (and other precious metals) from discarded products such as mobile phones or other products containing electronic components.
At Fairtrade, we respect the reuse and recycling of gold as a complementary approach that keeps the precious material already mined in circulation and gives it another chance to shine. That being said, only about 30% of the total market demand for gold can be satisfied from such sources (according to the World Gold Council), and the practice of recycling gold is not contributing to reducing the ongoing negative impacts of primary mining on the environment or on human rights issues. There is no information where recycled metal originally came from – you won’t know its human and environmental footprint or how it was extracted from the ground, or how recently it was extracted before being reclassified as recycled to respond to market demand. Last but not least, recycled gold can be a route for smuggling gold or for money laundering.
For Fairtrade it is imperative to address the ongoing and widely known problems associated with gold mining. Fairtrade certified gold provides direct developmental impacts for artisanal and small-scale miners and contributes to improve conditions in what is traditionally a very challenging industry for those who work in it. Fairtrade gives you certainty about the origin of your gold and about the people and the processes involved in its provenance – there is an identity and a story to tell.
We are currently defining our approach to re-use and recycling of Fairtrade gold in our ongoing revision of the Fairtrade Precious Metal Standard. We are aiming to allow recycling of Fairtrade gold at the refiner level if the Fairtrade origin can be clearly identified.
Will a business be audited if it buys Fairtrade Gold?
Depending on the sourcing model, businesses may be audited by the independent auditor FLOCERT ensuring the credibility of the label. Regular audits will be conducted for those in the licensee scheme and routine verification audits are made for those in the gold sourcing program. Registered goldsmiths will not be subject to an audit but can be subject to spot checks. More general information about certification and audit processes can be found on FLOCERT’s website.
What are the sanctions if an audit detects a non-compliance with the Fairtrade Standard?
If FLOCERT detects a non-compliance with the Fairtrade Standard during an audit, it will communicate it to the audited organization. The organization proposes corrective measures to address the non-compliance. If the suggested corrective measures are not suitable, FLOCERT requests improvement, if they are suitable, FLOCERT approves the corrective measures and sets a timeline for its implementation. Depending on the non-conformity, FLOCERT may issue sanctions in the form of fees or temporary suspension of certification. Sanctions may as well apply if the corrective measures are not or only partially implemented within the timelines,. Severe non-compliances may lead to immediate decertification. Fairtrade supports the certified organization to remedy non-compliances.
How does Fairtrade handle the supply development of Fairtrade Gold?
Fairtrade Gold supply is managed in partnership with key actors, aiming to actively balance demand and supply through the development of new partners both in the market and at origin, ensuring a steady stream of gold for consumers and committed businesses. Depending on the needs and commitment of the buyer, Fairtrade can offer specific sourcing options. As there is usually leeway for additional sourcing, Fairtrade is continuously exploring and identifying new mines.
Why does Fairtrade exclusively source Fairtrade Gold from Peru?
The artisanal and small-scale mining of precious metals is a complex sector with delicate circumstances depending on the country and geographic context. Fairtrade’s approach is currently directed towards Peru since the country offers a permissive legal environment to certify artisanal and small-scale mining communities. However, Fairtrade is committed to complement the supply sources with other producing countries.
Get on overview of all certified gold mining organisations.
How does Fairtrade Gold align with the Sustainable Development Goals?
Fairtrade contributes towards all of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), although certain SDGs are more in the focus than others in the context of Fairtrade Gold. The contributions arise mainly from the (progressive) Standard implementation and the use of the Fairtrade premium. Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as zero hunger and decent work and economic growth are addressed by strengthening a stable income. Improved working conditions also contribute to good health and well-being. Moreover, Fairtrade’s commitment to building democracy in partnership with independent mining organizations fosters peace, justice, and strong institutions. Environmental goals are progressed through miners following responsible practises, particularly in the use of toxic chemicals.
Moreover, the impacts described above are in line with Fairtrade’s Theory of Change for Gold to make the future fair through a world in which all miners enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and decide on their future.
To what degree is Fairtrade Gold environmentally friendly compared to conventional mining?
Reducing chemical emissions and minimising chemical use are key means for progressing environmentally friendly mining; for artisanal and small-scale miners this is a delicate balancing act. If chemical use was not permitted at all by the Fairtrade standard, the vast majority of all artisanal and small-scale miners would be excluded from the Fairtrade system. However, to mitigate impact on the environment and human health the standard sets out a process to support artisanal mining organisations to apply good practice in the use of chemicals and to minimise the use of mercury and cyanide over time through improved technologies. The Fairtrade standard require miners to use a process and technology which ensure that mercury emissions are drastically reduced.
