Fairtrade and Fairmined gold arrives on the British high street

Ernest Jones and Beaverbrooks have become the first jewellers in the country to offer gold jewellery containing the Fairtrade and Fairmined dual stamp, which guarantees the gold has been responsibly sourced and certified to Fairtrade and Fairmined standards.

Victoria Waugh, business development manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “Wedding rings made from Fairtrade and Fairmined gold are extra special. It means you know the gold was mined with care by small-scale artisanal miners, who received a fair price.”

Fairtrade and Fairmined gold is also being added to the collections of bespoke and independent jewellers, with Rachel Helen Designs and CRED Jewellery both launching ethical collections in May.

“Couples are often looking for something different for their wedding ring, for such a significant event. I looked to create designs that tell a story, symbolising the ring’s future and past. I was inspired by the journey that CRED has gone on to source the gold and wanted the rings to signify that journey and the place which they came from. I found recurring patterns in clothing, landscape and nature,” said CRED designer, Annabel Panes.