What is ethical and eco-responsible jewellery?

Although most countries have developed green codes of practice to mitigate the environmental problems caused by mining, the fact remains that untreated wastewater and the release of harmful waste into the atmosphere continue to take their toll. Jewellery is the world's largest gold-consuming industry and recycling accounts for only about 20% of the material's provenance. Yet the precious metal can be recycled endlessly without losing its attributes. Jewellery that aims to respect the principles of sustainable development by taking into account environmental, social and economic aspects can be described as eco-responsible jewellery.

Ethical jewellery takes into account the provenance of raw materials. In this multi-billion dollar industry, fairmined label is the benchmark for ethical jewellery. This label certifies the origin of gold produced by autonomous, responsible, artisanal and small-scale mines. This initiative was created by the non-profit organisation Alliance for Responsible Mining. It guarantees a fair price for the minerals and adequate working conditions for the miners. This is why Fairmined jewellery is called ethically minded jewellery, which simply translates as ethical jewellery.

Apart from a few exceptional cases, a gemstone does not have a high resale value. It is, however, durable, even eternal, and can easily be cleaned and restored to its former glory. And if the style of jewellery no longer appeals, it can be set in a brand new setting of recycled gold. In the jargon of the jewellery industry, this is called called jewellery transformation. It is the physical and artistic alteration of a piece of jewellery by reusing the metals and gemstones to make a  brand new one. This service is not offered in all jewellery stores as it requires a lot of investment on the part of a jeweller but it is an eco-responsible gesture.

For some years now, gemstones created in laboratories have had the wind in their sails. Initially reserved for the manufacture of electronic machinery, laboratory-created gemstones have made a remarkable entry into the jewellery industry, especially among young customers. It is attractive because it is less expensive, but it also meets several criteria for responsible consumption, including control of origin and being more environmentally friendly. Like all the other stones created in laboratory, the so-called cultured diamond is identical to natural diamond in every way.

In a jewellery store, it's not just the jewellery that is for sale. There is the human aspect, the durability of the products, the service, the deliveries and all the little extras that make a business truly ethical and eco-responsible. Are employees respected and valued? Do they have the option of using public transport to get to work? Is the jewellery made in a sustainable way? Is delivery in recycled and reusable boxes? A company's values should be reflected in all aspects of its existence. The jewellery business Flamme en rose aims first and foremost to distinguish itself through its ethical and eco-responsible actions by creating sustainable jewellery, using recycled materials and laboratory-created stones. It is also the reference in Montreal for jewellery transformation. Flamme en rose is a small company in the heart of downtown Montreal that offers its employees highly rewarding and respectful working conditions.