I have always had this lingering thought that countries with valuable natural resources are being the most abused. And today’s panel was another confirmation of that thought.

Thursday 8^th February. Today was the launch of the 99-page report by Human Rights Watch , “The Hidden Cost of Jewelry: Human Rights in Supply Chains and the Responsibility of Jewelry Companies” that scrutinizes the sourcing of gold and diamonds of 13 major jewellery and watch brands.

We all gathered in a room at the Goldsmith’s Centre, near Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery quarter. In the panel discussion, moderated by journalist Afua Hirsch, we had:

• Juliane Kippenberg and Jo Becker, Human Rights Watch
• Greg Valerio MBE, Fair trade gold campaigner, activist, and jeweller
• Farai Maguwu, Centre for Natural Resource Governance, Zimbabwe
• Edward Johnson, Responsible Jewellery Council

And, it was painful…

Painful to hear the stories that we were told, specially from Farai Maguwu in Zimbabwe. Painful to hear the words that are associated with my trade:

Yes, really. This is the reality of the jewellery industry right now. And that is why I choose to do things differently, to source from traceable small scale miners and to know my source.

And what can you do? Read the report, campaign, ask questions and know your source. On top of the list, DO SOMETHING! even a little thing could change the way things are. Let’s work on the butterfly effect.

#BehindTheBling

With Love, Arabel