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Conscious luxury at Cannes

Penélope Cruz and Atelier Swarovski reveal Fairtrade gold collection at Cannes
Katie Hill - Editor-in-Chief, My Green Pod
Penélope Cruz wears Fairtrade gold at Cannes

Atelier Swarovski’s new fine jewellery collection, created in collaboration with Penélope Cruz, was unveiled by the actress on the red carpet at Cannes.

Atelier Swarovski has announced its commitment to making all its fine jewellery pieces with responsibly sourced gold. The company said this new collection, made with Swarovski Created Diamonds, Swarovski Genuine Topaz, created gemstones and 18-karat Fairtrade Gold, marks its next step on the journey to becoming ‘a leader in conscious luxury’.

Previewing select pieces in advance of the launch of her full Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry collection during Paris haute couture week this coming July, Penélope wore earrings and a matching ring in white 18-karat Fairtrade Gold set with Swarovski Created Diamonds and created rubies.

Fairtrade gold

Gold is a symbol of love, power and wealth the world over – but look behind the glitz and the reality is not so glamorous.

Gold is mined all over the world; the metal-rich rock, known as ore, is extracted from the Earth’s crust.

90% of the world’s gold miners are artisanal and small-scale miners – an estimated 100 million people worldwide rely on small-scale mining to support their families and communities. Miners work in remote areas and have few other options for making a living.

In non-Fairtrade small-scale gold mines, miners extract the precious metal using toxic chemicals such as mercury, which is harmful for human health and the environment. They simply can’t afford to use safer processing methods.

This can cause birth defects and brain and kidney damage, and can contaminate water supplies and enter the food chain through poisoned fish. Small-scale gold mining is the largest source of mercury pollution to air and water combined.

Small-scale miners are also exploited by traders because of their poverty and the absence of regulation and legal protections. They rarely receive a fair price for their product, even when the world gold price rises, as they are usually offered below-market prices.

Because of this, these miners struggle to generate enough profit or attract the finance needed to invest in their operations or in safer, more efficient mining practices and technology.


How Fairtrade gold’s different

Workers in Fairtrade certified gold mines receive a guaranteed Fairtrade Minimum Price for their gold as well as a Premium to spend on improving their businesses or on community projects, such as education, clean water and healthcare.

Fairtrade certification means these small scale-miners meet Fairtrade Standards. This can help them to improve their mining and business practices as well as open the market to generate more sales on better terms.

The Fairtrade Gold Standards include strict requirements on working conditions, health and safety, handling chemicals, women’s rights, child labour and protection of the environment.

The Atelier Swarovski by Penélope Cruz Fine Jewelry Collection and the in-house designed Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry Collections will be available to order from July 2018.

Is this the ultimate ethical engagement ring?

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