Leading ethical jewellery brand CRED (who we featured here) are founder members of ARM, and CRED Founder Greg Valerio has been instrumental in seeing this new standard completed, working closely with FLO, ARM and all other parties involved. We are delighted for him and for everyone involved, and look forward to the great benefits this standard will bring to the mining communities that form ARM, and the many more around the world that will be brought in. Fairtrade and Fairmined gold will guarantee a minimum price, creating security for producing communities. It will include a 10% Social Premium that will support the education and development of entire communities, and a further 5% Ecological Premium will be payable to miners that extract gold without the use of chemicals. Miners love working with CRED partners and ecological champions Oro Verde.

Oro Verde have been producing independently-certified artisanal gold for more than seven years. They have worked hard to develop gold production that uses no chemicals, protects the environment and supports the continual development of producing communities. Oro Verde’s model was the inspiration and prototype used to produce the Fairtrade and Fairmined standard. As such Oro Verde will be first in line to be certified.

CRED continues to produce truly ethical jewelry in Oro Verde Fair Trade gold. The Eden Wedding Rings pictured here are the latest examples of CRED’s pioneering journey towards excellence in design and ethics.

For more information on CRED's work, their jewellery ranges and where to buy them go to their website at www.credjewellery.com