Presenting Atelier Swarovski’s first Fairtrade Gold fine jewellery collection

Atelier Swarovski reaffirms its commitment to conscious luxury with its latest fine jewelry collection, made with Swarovski Created Diamonds and Fairtrade gold, the collection puts sustainability center-stage.

The Fairtrade Gold used in the 18K Swarovski collection comes from Minera Limata Limitada co-operative in Peru. The co-operative’s 31 members mine Fairtrade gold under challenging conditions at an altitude of 4600 meters above sea level. The open pit mine has been Fairtrade certified since the beginning of the year. Most members traditionally earn a living by breeding alpaca. Mining gold provides them with an additional source of income to help them improve their livelihoods.

As a Fairtrade cooperative, Limata pays special attention to protecting both people and the environment. In addition to the market price, miners receive a Fairtrade Premium of $ 2,000 per kilo of pure gold. The premium finances projects to improve the sustainability of the production and development projects that benefit the entire community. The members of the cooperative decide independently and democratically how the Fairtrade Premium will be used. Fairtrade Gold offers many benefits to miners: workers benefit from regular working hours and health protection. Abusive child labor and forced labor are prohibited. And compliance with national environmental laws is strictly controlled.

Fairtrade gold has been available in the global markets since 2011.

About Fairtrade

Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for more than 1.6 million farmers and workers in developing countries. By choosing Fairtrade products, people can create change through their everyday actions, and farming communities can improve their lives and invest in their future.

Further Information: Patricio Frei, +41 44 278 99 17, P.Frei@maxhavelaar.ch