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I& #39;m disappointed to learn of Pandora& #39;s decision to move to lab diamonds & & #39;recycled& #39; gold. While meant to further & #39;circular economy& #39; goals, these decisions mean replacing jobs in the & #39;Global South& #39; with jobs in the & #39;Global North& #39;. #thread 1/ @CHRWIENBERG https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-04/world-s-biggest-jewelry-maker-will-no-longer-use-mined-diamonds">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...
2/ It& #39;s a bit shocking that this decision is being made at a time when #diamonds are more traceable than ever. And when #gold has had beautiful sourcing options for many years. (See @Fairmined, @Fairtrade_Gold, and Swiss Better Gold). @zoewoodguardian https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/04/pandora-jewellery-brand-says-it-will-stop-selling-mined-diamonds">https://www.theguardian.com/business/...
3/ There are two parts to sustainability in sourcing: environmental and social. Preferencing lab grown essentially walks away from the social sustainability movement at a time of remarkable innovation and radical transparency options....
@LizziePaton https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/business/pandora-lab-created-diamonds.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/0...
@LizziePaton https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/business/pandora-lab-created-diamonds.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/0...
4/ So I& #39;m a bit shocked when this decision was made out of a & #39;broader sustainability drive& #39;...and because "it& #39;s the right thing to do". Eighty percent of diamonds are from large-scale operations (e.g. DeBeers, Alrosa, etc.). Just 20% are from ASM sources. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56972562">https://www.bbc.com/news/busi...
5/ If they want a clear clean trackable source for their diamonds... That& #39;s been available for years. Same with gold. In gold, about 85% is mined by larger-scale mines, 15% by ASM. Lots of sources for traceable ASM gold (see my earlier list of worthy programs).
6/ Don& #39;t even get me started on proliferating & #39;recycled gold& #39; claims. That& #39;s a different tweet storm!
7/ I& #39;m so passionate because I work with artisanal and small scale miners. Think & #39;gold panner& #39; populations in gold, gemstones, and diamonds. In West Africa, each one of these rural jobs creates 6-7 jobs & #39;downstream& #39; in processing, economic impact, etc.
8/ Women are 30% of this & #39;hidden& #39; workforce that produces 15% of all gold, 20% of all diamonds, and 80% of all colored gemstones. This type of small mining is the biggest non-farm employment in Africa. Check out this report on the SDG potential: https://www.pactworld.org/library/mapping-artisanal-and-small-scale-mining-sustainable-development-goals">https://www.pactworld.org/library/m...
9/ I urge the company, and others considering this type of move, to stop saying it& #39;s about & #39;ethics& #39;. Please consider keeping the door open to worthy programs where you can continue to be a part of this important conversation and promote a better world for all <3
@PactWorld
@PactWorld
