[Jewelry making - Article 00216] - Re: [Orchid] Responsible Gold

[Stephen Walker]

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>     Guilt ridden I am 

    Most of the gold I use is recycled. Which sounds all warm and fuzzy
    enough. This is certainly what I tell anyone who asks. But think
    about the reality of that. Recycled gold comes from so many sources
    and gold has been recycled for so long that my material contains
    matter that has been associated with pretty much every sin and evil
    mankind has ever committed. Certainly some percent of it was
    originally mined by slaves, financed wars, stolen, fought over, paid
    for every vice imaginable. It has also been given and invested in
    the most honest and generous causes. It has been fashioned into
    symbols of love and devotion. As money it has paid for homes,
    temples, hospitals and schools. 

    If you insist on virgin gold, you must tolerate the impact of mining
    on the landscape. But the very fact that you add to the demand for
    gold, even if you can be sure that the source of your material is
    green-friendly, adds to the price pressure to mine more, wherever
    and however it can be done. 

    If this kind of thing makes you crazy, I think it is better to use
    some other material. Governments should enforce safe mining rules.
    The very few consumers and jewelers who are conflicted by these
    issues are not going to make much difference. 

Stephen Walker

 
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