Ethics
Jewellery is a precious, unique and often sentimental token, passed down for generations to come. How much more rewarding is it to know that the piece of jewellery you own has gone some way to encouraging change? By supporting the use of ecologically sensitive practices and knowing that the people and communities involved along the way have worked using safe practices and received fair payment for their work, you’re also a part of the process when you purchase an ethically created item of jewellery.
An environmentally and socially responsible approach is an essential tenet of Zoë Pook Jewellery.
Metals
Zoë is one of a select group of international jewellers who provides customers with gold from both Fairtrade and Fairmined, community-driven mines across the world.
An ethical approach to mining means the people involved in the production of precious stones and metal receive a fair wage, safe working conditions and the industry benefits local communities. To learn more about Fairtrade Gold and Fairmined Gold read here Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold
Zoë Pook Jewellery can also offer recycled precious metals. Our precious metal is sourced from an environmentally friendly refinery with stringent controls on the use of chemicals and recycling of water. The metal is all post consumer recycled, so taken from the (huge) stockpile of vintage jewellery in the world, melted down, refined and hallmarked.
In terms of purity and comparison, there is actually no such thing as ‘old’ gold – when vintage jewellery is melted down and refined to remove purities, what is left is gold, pure and simple.
Some links to gold and metal organisations we belong to and support:
Diamonds and Gems
Zoë sources ethical gems from a variety of countries around the world. All our diamonds are sourced ethically and come with full certification. Ethically sourced means we know how and where they were mined. More than that we can guarantee no human rights abuses, child labour or war profits are associated with the mining of our diamonds.
Our coloured gems come from a variety of sources, for example rubies from a mining co-operative in Tanzania and sapphires from mines in Sri Lanka and Malawi. All gems come from known and trusted retailers, fair trade dealers or direct from the mines themselves.
The miners are guaranteed a fair price for their work and often local social and environmental projects are financial beneficiaries of the gem trade.
Lab grown diamonds are another great responsible choice for the sustainability of our planet. Other types of gems also come as a lab grown option. They are physically and chemically the same, the only difference is where they came from.
Some links to gem suppliers and organisations we love and support:
For further information or to begin the process of creating your own ethical piece of jewellery, contact Zoë today.
