Santa Fe-based designer jewelry studio celebrates 20 years with brand re-launch;
adds Fairtrade International Certification to pioneering socio-enviro business practices.
- SANTA FE, NM, August 26, 2015--
Reflective Jewelry was announced as the first certified Fairtrade Gold American jeweler by Fairtrade International. The company has worked as the US commercial liaison with Fairtrade International to launch the certification program while pioneering their own traceable and transparent sourcing practices in precious metal and gems. Reflective Jewelry has begun adding the Fairtrade Gold hallmark on its designer bridal and two-tone jewelry lines. In addition to the certification, the company is also re-launching its brand with extensive new profiles of their latest collection on an updated website, ReflectiveJewelry.com.
"Reflective Jewelry has shown great leadership in becoming the first jeweler using Fairtrade gold in the USA. This move in the world's largest jewelry market has the potential to send ripple effects across the globe," said Harriet Lamb, CEO of Fairtrade International. "Americans buying that special piece of jewelry can now help make a change in the lives of artisanal and small-scale miners. These miners urgently need improved terms of trade and we congratulate Reflective Jewelry on setting the pace for the industry in the way jewelry is sourced," she said.
"With Reflective Jewelry bringing Fairtrade Gold to the North American market, we are expanding the Fairtrade and organic movement and sourcing trends to include the mining sector,"said Marc Choyt, President of Reflective Jewelry. "The antidote to the disconnect between jewelry's sourcing and symbolism is to create a new cultural narrative that actually connects customers to producer communities. There is increasing attention to the source and production ethics of food and clothing. Similarly, Fairtrade gold greatly enhances the value of our custom handmade jewelry and bridal lines to our customers through the relationships it creates," he added.
Choyt has dedicated much of his time in the last ten years as an activist in the jewelry sector, educating clients and colleagues through Fair Jewelry Action, an environmental justice and human rights network which he co-founded. At his home in Santa Fe, he serves on the boards of the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce and the Turquoise Trail Preservation Trust, supporting sustainable businesses and protecting the bioregion south of Santa Fe. Recently he initiated and co-lead a community effort that successful blocked a proposed gold mine.
For more information please contact:
Jess Gantos, Reflective, Santa Fe
Jess@ReflectiveJewelry.com
505-988-7393
Martine Perry, Fairtrade International, London
Martine.Parry@fairtrade.org.uk
011 44 (0)20 7440 7695