Now when conscientious consumers sip their fair trade coffee, the fingers that hold their cups can be adorned with Fair Trade Gems.

Our gemstone supplier works with vertically integrated gem miners and cutters to offer consumers the option of Fair Trade Gems, thanks to the first fair trade and quality assurance program in the jewelry industry.

Fair Trade Gems are closely tracked from mine to market to ensure that every gem has been handled according to strict protocols. The protocols include environmental protection, fair labor practices at the cutting and jewelry factories, and a tight chain of custody that eliminates the possibility of treated gems or synthetics being introduced into the supply chain. The program also includes promotion of cultural diversity, and public education and accountability.

All Fair Trade Gems are sold with complete enhancement disclosure: many will also be sold as untreated, since the chain of custody required by the program also confirms they have not been treated.

Our supplier has been able to develop the strict protocols of the Fair Trade Gems program because of the company's extensive contracts with mine operators and its large cutting operation account for 90 percent of its gem production. The mines agreed to support the company's efforts to formalize procedures that were already in place to safeguard workers, the environment, and the integrity of the gems they produce.

Our supplier admits "It is more difficult to source gems only from miners and exporters who are able and willing to sign the Fair Trade Gem Protocols, but I would rather be sure of the integrity of the product and of the people I am working with."

Although the Fair Trade movement is very new to the jewelry industry, we embrace all efforts made to bring Fair Trade Gems to our customers. We agree with our supplier who states "This is what romancing the stone really means: making sure that people and the earth are treated with respect so that gemstones bring positive emotions to the lives of everyone who touches them."

For more information about Fair Trade Gems, CLICK HERE