When one thinks of fair trade, thoughts automatically run to agriculture products, fruits, coffee, cotton products and other items that have been associated over the years with the trading industries. Although the jewelry industry is often considered simply a luxury trade for the wealthy, you may not realize just how many families depend on the trading of gemstones for their livelihood. As an example, one diamond may directly effect approxmiately 10,000 individuals, a presious stone perhaps 5,000 or more individuals. From mining, to trading, developing, and final market sales, the gemstone industry supports many economies in significant ways.
Who will associate diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald with fair trade? Agriculture,fruits, coffee or cotton products are much more in favor of consumers in need of a compensation for their kind of guilt feeling thinking how much their lawn machine costs in terms of global warming. Jewelry industry is glamour, generally focused on "people", wealth and expensive brands. TV's, newspapers and all medias look only at the end customer and his provider (The Jeweler), but how many people just made a living by just carefully handling this diamond, or gemstone, from mine to shop. One diamond, probably 10 000 persons may directly live on it, one precious stone, 5 000, or maybe 2 000 for a simple colored stone... Who want to meet miners in remotes and hostile deserts or jungles? What about gem cutters sitting silently in dark cutting factories? Who cares about the gem brokers, with for only capital, their honesty and the trust from gem owners, running from shops to factories, subject to crime, robberies or cheating while trying to sell gems for an tiny percentage? Some of these hard workers now have a place where they can offer the much sought gemstones to public without fear. A place where they can sit and chat together about jewelry trends and customers, sport and politics, life and karma. Gem dealers and gemstones lovers find there all diamonds or gems directly through brokers from lapidary factories. They buy directly on a really free transparent market where the smallest gemstone cutter can compete, and win, commercially against the big gem owner, possibly even his own boss. In these places you have the unique opportunity to meet the real people behind gems, their real lives, their rich culture. These places are hugely profitable not only in terms of money or investment, but above all in terms of human exchanges. Located right in the middle of main diamond and gemstones markets in Antwerp (Belgium), Chanthaburi (Thailand) and Jaipur (India), they are real fair trade expanding areas bringing fresh air to the gem and jewelry market.
What is it that has made it so difficult for governments in developed countries to see through trade policies with third world countries that don't leave their populations destitute and ripe for recruitment into violent left wing movements? Is it our political system that forces candidates to be left beholden to wealthy international business interests, following expensive campaigns?
More of the Same
Even as George Bush was leaving office, he was franticly trying to bargain a deal with his democratic counterparts for his republican version of a Colombian trade pact. All this, while 40,000 indigenous Colombian Indians were threatening to march on the capital of Columbia Bogata after being driven from their own tribal lands by international mining interests.
Allowing for More Personal Choice
Fairtrade is a marketing movement that was spawned by the complete frustration of consumers and marketers in developed countries, who began to see their their political leaders as part of the problem rather than the solution. What Fairtrade does, is remove key trade issues from the political process and allows consumers to simply vote with their dollars and euros for what they think is best for all parties involved.
Better for the Planet and All People on it
When you purchase a consumer item that is Fairtrade certified then you know that the people who have produced it in a less developed part of the globe have been treated fairly. Their labor union organizers haven't been kidnapped and murdered, such as is happening in Columbia and their rain forests haven't been cut down to produce it, like is happening in the Amazon.
Quality Native Crafts Replace Sweat Shop Trinkets
Fairtrade is also helping indigenous peoples to escape sweatshop slavery and return to making a living with their native crafts. This in turn has made available for western consumers a broad range of products that are of a better quality and far more beautiful as well. Pottery, clothing and fashion accessories that were made by the delicate hands of young adults rather than by children who were forced into child labor.
Rising Profits are the Proof of Success
Not surprisingly and counter to what politicians have been saying for years, Fairtrade style marketing is profitable and a better deal for all parties involved from the fields and villages, to the store shelves in Los Angeles and Hamburg. Better products that are certified environmentally green, produced by people who can live comfortably off the fruits of their labor and purchased by consumers who have been waiting too long for the opportunity to effect change.
Both Gerardo B. Arenado & Jeff Jarred are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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