What do we mean by "Fair Trade"?
In recent decades, “fair trade” has become a buzz word across numerous industries to signal that a brand is socially conscious. In reality, "fair trade" certification is granted by various organizations depending on the industry (coffee and chocolate are two industries that have contributed to the consumer awareness around fair trade items) and is mostly relevant in situations where the producing nations are impoverished or developing.
Since we’re into transparency, let’s try on some brutal honesty: “fair trade” still relies on the fact that most products traded internationally exploit our overall state of global economic inequality, meaning many communities in developing nations are routinely subjected to unfair working conditions, forced labor, and unlivable wages. In this context, we believe fair trade is the bare minimum.
We partner with well-researched companies and organizations, one of whom has pioneered a Fair Trade certification in the gem industry, dedicated to ensuring their workers are paid living wages, receive overtime pay, and provide balance that allows them to enjoy their lives. Pretty basic, isn’t it ? We work directly with sources that provide “mine to market” gems, and who run cutting facilities with strict oversight of labor conditions. When we are able to source a stone with complete transparency and in alignment with all of these principles from start to finish, then - and only then - we will use the term "Fair Trade" to describe it. Our Ugly Untraceable Diamonds are a testament to the difficulty and challenges we face as an industry to ensure the ethical treatment of workers and responsible stewardship of land. Instead of sweeping these issues under the rug - just picking and choosing answers that sound pretty - we believe in full transparency. Willingness to say “I don’t know” educates the public and brings attention to the problems that progressive thinkers in the industry are trying to resolve. By openly recognizing these challenges and continuously seeking answers, we strive to make “fair trade” the default…and work to give more than the bare minimum.