Real Jewels: Recycled Sterling Silver, Gold & fair trade Stones

Blood Diamonds? Dirty Gold? No thanks.

While jewellery is very much a part of all of our lives, whether it be the band we wear on our finger to signify our love for our partner, or a simple necklace given to us by a best friend, the origin of it's contents is of serious ecological and ethical consideration. The diamond and gold mining industries are particularly scandalous in many countries.

Conflict diamonds are a crucial factor in prolonging brutal wars in parts of Africa, and underscored that legitimate diamonds contribute to prosperity and development elsewhere on the continent. In Angola and Sierra Leone, conflict diamonds continue to fund the rebel groups, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), both of which are acting in contravention of the international community's objectives of restoring peace in the two countries.
- www.un.org

One company leading the way in a passionate respect for natural resources and human rights, is New York based, Real Jewels.

Made entirely in New York city with sustainable practices, the company ensures wages and working conditions are controlled by not outsourcing to large offshore factories. All pieces are manufactured from recycled sterling silver and gold, and all gems are certified fair trade stones & conflict free diamonds.

The company also supports the 'Save our Gulf' initiative, with their iconic pelican pendant, in which 100% of all profit goes directly to the Waterkeeper Alliance. It's great to see a company with such vigour for change in such a historically corrupt industry. Check out their website at www.real-jewels.com.