Ethical precious stones, what they are and why to choose them
Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires: we all know how to list precious stones, at least the best known ones. Not everyone, however, knows what le ethical gemstones and why they are increasingly important in the world of jewelry.
In this article we want to help you to know this type of gems and to be able to make a responsible choice even in the purchase of your jewels.
Ethical precious stones, what they are and why to choose them
What are ethical gemstones
Ethical precious stones, what they are and why to choose them - Le precious stones they are minerals with different characteristics such as hardness, color, transparency and above all rarity: this is what gives them a high economic value. Like all minerals, these gems must also be extracted and processed before they can be used to make jewelry, and the main ethical aspect is precisely in the manufacturing process.
Often, in fact, the extraction of minerals takes place in very difficult conditions for workers and with a heavy impact on the environment; moreover, the large profits of this activity have not infrequently supported wars and criminal organizations.
They are therefore defined "ethical gemstones"The gems that are extracted respecting three conditions: the protection of workers' rights, the protection of the environment and the absence of illegal financing for criminal or violent activities.
The reasons for a responsible choice
So there are three excellent reasons to choose ethical gemstones.
For the rights of workers, against child labor
Le stones child-labor free they are those that are not mined by child labor and whose producers generally guarantee safety and fair conditions for mine workers. In many areas of the world, mineral extraction is still an unregulated activity. Workers are often not protected and operate in unsafe conditions, without receiving an adequate salary and without health care.
The situation worsens for child labor. In many cases children are employed but also in the cleaning and processing of minerals and this exposes them to serious health risks. Among the most frequent diseases are silicosis, which heals the lungs due to the inhalation of silica dust, bone deformations and skin diseases.
Protect the environment and local populations
The producers of ethical gemstones they are committed to minimizing the impact on the environment and supporting local communities with economic and social projects.
Mining can in fact have a heavy impact on the surrounding environment. Often entire forests are destroyed and rivers are diverted or blocked and this leads to soil erosion and impoverishment. Another no less important effect is air and water pollution, due to emissions caused by mining. All this can have serious repercussions on the territory and on the population living there.
Fighting wars and crime
The definition "stones conflict-free”Guarantees that the profits from the extraction and processing of gems are not used to finance wars, acts of terrorism, criminal organizations or corruption activities. This has often been talked about in connection with the diamond trade, as the film also told Blood Diamond - Blood diamonds with Leonardo DiCaprio, but the problem concerns all precious stones.
One of the best known cases is that of Myanmar rubies, which, according to allegations by humanitarian organizations, are used to finance the military regime that took power in a coup in 2021.
How to choose ethical gemstones
Since 2002, an international agreement guarantees the trade of conflict-free diamonds. It is the Kimberly Process, signed by 37 countries, including Italy, which certifies the origin of the diamonds and which are not intended to finance wars and revolts against governments recognized by the UN.
For the other gems, however, there are still no similar agreements and it is therefore more difficult to establish their origin and characteristics. Assogemme, the Italian association of companies in the sector, is working on this with a special Ethics Committee of Color Gems.
Waiting for new shared rules also for colored gems, the safest way to choose diamonds and other ethical gemstones is to rely on competent and experienced professionals, capable of responding to specifications needs of each customer.