What Fairmined gold really means: A conversation with Considered Jewellery | LMC

Gold has always carried a story. For centuries it has symbolised love, wealth, and legacy yet too often its journey from mine to market has been hidden, shadowed by environmental harm and human exploitation. In today’s world, where conscious consumers are asking tougher questions about where their jewellery comes from, the importance of transparency and responsible sourcing has never been greater.

At La Maison Couture, we believe jewellery should be something you can wear with pride, not only for its beauty but for the positive impact it creates. That’s why we’re spotlighting the role of Fairmined gold, a certification that transforms small-scale mining into a force for good, and why brands like Considered Jewellery are making it central to their collections.

In this feature, we’re delighted to partner with Victoria Waugh, director at Considered Jewellery, to uncover what Fairmined gold really means, how it empowers mining communities, and why it represents a vital step towards a more ethical jewellery industry.

What is Fairmined gold?

Fairmined Certification supports artisanal miners, often families and small groups of people, to work responsibly.  The scheme ‘ensures that these organizations meet world-leading standards for responsible practices, transforming mining into an active force for good’. 

To achieve Fairmined certification, miners must meet robust requirements on environmentally responsible mining practices and responsible gold sourcing, reduce reliance on hazardous chemicals, ensure fair working conditions. and maintain high standards of health and safety.

In return for their hard work, they are paid a fair price for their gold, plus a Fairmined Premium, which is a supplement paid on top of the gold price. Miners use this additional investment to support projects in their mining communities.

Whilst the volume of gold traded on Fairmined terms is very small to date, it’s potential for positive impact is huge.  You can find out more about the schemes impact here: Our Impact - Fairmined

Inside Considered Jewellery’s sourcing choices

We believe jewellery can have a positive impact on the world and want you to feel pride when wearing our pieces. That’s why we chose to use Fairmined Gold, a traceable gold source that allows us to share exactly where the metal comes from, in our Signature and Twist collections.

We could simply choose to use recycled metal in our pieces, but with over 150 million miners and their families worldwide dependent on small-scale gold mining for their livelihood, we feel it’s important to support them.  I was privileged to meet some of the first mining communities certified against the Fairmined Standards on a visit to Peru.  Significant investments had been made into clean water supplies, dentistry and improvements to their local school, all thanks to the Fairmined Premium.

The gold vermeil used in our Signature collection comes from a small mine called Iquira, in Columbia. The miners here alternate between artisanal gold mining and coffee growing, depending on the season. Fairmined certification has allowed them to develop their mining business safely and with respect for the environment.

At La Maison Couture, we’ve seen first-hand how sourcing choices can inspire change across the industry. Like Considered Jewellery, we believe that every decision, from choosing Fairmined gold to exploring alternatives for silver, has the power to shape a more responsible future for jewellery.

The role of recycled silver in conscious jewellery

The Fairmined scheme focuses on gold mining.  While some silver is also produced by these mines, the volume is low and not readily available from our suppliers.  

When we started Considered Jewellery, the most responsible source of silver available came from melting down old jewellery, giftware, and industry scrap.  Some refer to this as ‘recycled metal’; however, we refer to it as ‘reclaimed silver’ as it doesn’t fit the true definition of a recycled product, which is something diverted from landfill.

For our more recent collections, including our Provenance Pearls, the silver comes from a truly recycled source, giving customers confidence in ethically sourced silver as well as Fairmined gold.   Betts refinery in the UK uses an innovative process to extract silver from old medical x-ray film collected from the NHS. Otherwise destined for the rubbish heap, Betts give this discarded material a new life while also providing an income stream for their NHS partners.

As a brand, we are committed to continually evolving our collections to only use the most environmentally friendly materials available, as well as lobbying suppliers to improve.

At La Maison Couture, we echo this drive for innovation. We’re proud to showcase designers who are pushing boundaries with reclaimed and recycled materials, proof that creativity and responsibility can go hand in hand.

Shopping consciously: what to look for

As conscious consumers looking for truly conscious jewellery, we should feel empowered to seek out information on any brand's eco-claims.  Here are 5 things to consider before buying jewellery:

1. Are the brands claims clear and unambiguous?  Do they have a sourcing policy on their website, which clearly lays out their social and environmental commitments?
2. Do a brand’s claims apply to their whole business or just a few items in their store?  Are they over claiming?
3. Can a brand back up their claims? Stating that materials are ethically sourced is not enough. Let’s ask for evidence to back up the claim: Which mine did they come from? 
4. What is the brand's packaging made from? Jewellery boxes may be labelled as eco-friendly or recyclable, but often elements of them are not so don’t take eco-friendly jewellery packaging at face value.
5. Is the brand certified by independent scheme such as Fairmined, B Corp, The Responsible Jewellery Council, or Positive Luxury?

Considered Jewellery's vision

We are striving to build a brand that proves every piece of jewellery can be consciously crafted from the mine all the way to you, the wearer. By showcasing everything that goes into making our pieces, we hope to inspire other jewellery brands to work responsibly.  

Our vision at Considered Jewellery is for a jewellery industry that embraces sustainable practices, ensures fair treatment of workers, and promotes transparency when sourcing materials, proving that sustainable metals can define the future of design. Let’s work together to foster a positive impact on both people and the planet.

Our shared vision at La Maison Couture

At La Maison Couture, we share Considered Jewellery’s belief that transparency, fairness and responsibility should be at the heart of every collection. By partnering with designers who embrace Fairmined gold and sustainable materials, we aim to celebrate jewellery that doesn’t just look beautiful but actively contributes to a better world.

Explore La Maison Couture’s Collections to discover more designers championing ethical craftsmanship.