OUR ETHICS: FAIRMINED, fairtrade & FAIR-MINDED

Our ethos at Katie Lees Jewellery is to provide an independent, individual and honest service to our clients that centres around ethically-minded and sustainably conscious practices within our brand and business. We place real importance on an open and transparent approach.

We recently worked with Peter and Rachel on their bespoke engagement ring. This ethically-minded couple requested Fairtrade gold and wanted to ensure the ethical footprint of their gemstones. This prompted us to write a post to engage and inform our customers about the work we do at KLJ surrounding ethics and sustainability.

Pete & Rachel’s engagement ring - blue sapphire with white diamonds

Fairmined gold

As a proud Fairmined licensee, we are committed to supporting responsible mining practices. Fairmined is an assurance label and initiative by the Alliance for Responsible Mining that certifies gold from empowered responsible artisanal and small-scale mining organisations who meet world leading standards for responsible practices. Their aim is to transform mining into an active force for good, providing everyone with a source of gold to be proud of.

The Fairmined standard is made up of a long list of benefits and requirements such as: no link to conflict situations, no child labour, gender equality and the promotion of wellbeing in the mine’s local community. The environmental impact is also of significant importance meaning that the standard will only endorse small-scale operations, the safe and reduced handling of chemicals (or chemical free extraction), protection of water supplies, and a commitment to a positive environmental legacy. 


Recycled and Fairtrade gold
We work with a casting house that use the highest quality of either 100% recycled gold certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council, or certified Fairtrade gold. Fairtrade gold, similar to Fairmined, gold is sourced exclusively from small-scale mines which meet the Fairtrade Gold Standard; an internationally recognised marker of best-practice for workers’ rights and environmental protection.

Photo by Curioso Photography

Recycling our own precious metal scrap

Reclaiming precious metal waste has always been a cornerstone of our jewellery workshop’s routine. All of our sweeps are sent to a precious metal refinery with a robust ethical practice policy to be melted down. 

Stones

We only work with stone suppliers who ensure that all stones come from workshops and factories that they have visited and which can display the cutting and processing of gem materials being carried out in controlled environments using modern equipment, and where employees are treated well and paid fairly.

There is much work to be done on an international level regarding the regulation of stone mining and controlling its impact on the environment and the people involved. As a small business, we go as far we can to ensure that our sourcing is responsible and ethical.

Packaging and studio recycling

Our boxes and packaging are eco-friendly and responsibly sourced. We also use Changeworks to recycle our studio waste who reprocess all materials in the UK and use eco-friendly vehicles for collection. By taking these small but important steps, we are reducing our carbon footprint and strengthening our commitment to have a minimal impact on the environment.

A snapshot of the beautiful blacksmith work and design by Agnes Jones on the studio window

Supporting local

Supporting our fellow local businesses, artists, makers, tradesmen is something that we are really passionate about. From the artwork on our studio walls, the custom blacksmith metalwork in our window by Agnes Jones, traditional sign writing by Saloon Signs, to the occasional (who are we kidding?) sweet treat from our special doughnut neighbours - Tantrum, we make a conscious effort to contribute to the local and circular economy. Glasgow is a melting pot of talented creatives, hardworking freelancers and innovative companies which we take full advantage of whenever we can.

For all

We design and make for all. Our jewellery designs transcend gender, race, sexuality, disability, age, religion or status. We welcome all races and ethnicities, all religions, all countries of origin, all gender identities, all sexual orientations, all abilities and disabilities, all spoken languages, all ages. Everyone. The people who wear our jewels are as important to us as the jewellery itself.

Another angle of Pete & Rachel’s engagement ring

All of this means that when you work with us to create a bespoke piece, or buy a made to order wedding/engagement ring, you can feel confident and assured that we are going as far as we can to be ethically minded and sustainably conscious.

As jewellery consumers become increasingly conscious of responsible practices, they are demanding greater transparency. The jewellery industry as a whole has felt this pressure and is starting to change. At KLJ, we are committed to playing our part.

If you have any questions about our ethics policy or in relation to commissioning a bespoke piece, you can contact us here.

- TEAM KLJ