abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

17 Oct 2011

Author:
Rob Bates, JCK

Will Fair Trade Diamonds Rise Again?

[T]rade, NGO types, and fair trade jewelry sellers convene[d]...for a day-long brainstorm on ways to market artisanal diamonds...An estimated 10 to 15 percent of the world’s diamonds...are unearthed by artisanal diggers, who work in dismal conditions, for low money, and with little concern for their health or safety...Ethics aside, this presents a tremendous reputational risk for our industry, and an excellent organization, the Diamond Development Initiative, has been launched to improve this sector...“fair trade diamonds” are an eminently marketable idea. But we don’t know whether they will soon be coming to a trade show near you...[S]ome fear that, as more companies embrace certified supply chains, these diggers—the poorest, most vulnerable segment of the industry—will be left behind [refers to Starbucks]