Ethics Articles

The blood diamond issue is no longer in the news, yet these diamonds still are widely traded. This insider's view, written by a jeweler, gives a present day and historical context to the diamond trade. Ultimately the consumer concerned about ethics is empowered to make informed decisions when purchasing their own diamond.

Third party certified "fair trade" jewelry does not exist; yet if you google "fair trade jewelry" millions of sites come up. Written for the consumer and the trade, this short article, extensively researched and referenced, sorts though the concept of "fair trade" in the jewelry sector. The examples from many sources shed light on what fair trade jewelry might mean, if there is such a thing.

There's a great deal of confusion and misleading information around fair trade jewelry. While there is no such thing as third party certified fair trade jewelry, many companies sell fair trade jewelry. This interview with Carmen Iezzi, director of the Fair Trade Federation, clarifies why fair trade jewelry is listed as a product category on their website.

Steve D'Esposito, executive director of Earthworks, discusses his organization of a multi-sector "Ethical Jewelry Summit" on socially and environmentally sourced jewelry production. This article discusses some of the issues involved in the very early stages of this important movement in the mainstream jewelry world. The summit is to take place in Washington DC, Oct. 25th and 26th.

You wanted to have that second cup of coffee from your favorite mug and you will only be a few minutes late. Whats the big deal. It is a big deal to be late by five minutes or an hour.

You wanted to have that second cup of coffee from your favorite mug and you will only be a few minutes late. Whats the big deal. It is a big deal to be late by five minutes or an hour.

Working in a stockroom can be a dirty job and someday you hope that your efforts will be noticed and you will get the chance to prove what you can with a promotion into a supervisors role.

Have you heard the phrase fake it until you make it? It's something which is increasingly common among business owners, especially on the internet or in direct mail. The basic idea is someone sells you a program or course teaching you how they made millions- only they haven't yet made the millions, they hope to do so by selling thousands of copies of the course they sold you.

Laurens Mare, the CEO of the South African Jewelry Counsel, discusses Vukani-Ubuntu, a Non-Profit Organization that trains people from rural townships into the commercial jewelry trade. This social entrepreneurial effort applies fair trade principal of economic empowerment for the economically disadvantaged to the main stream jewelry world.

Ethical sourcing are have recently become critical issues for a select few in the jewelry industry. Their concerns reach beyond blood diamonds and dirty gold. This article discusses the moral imperative behind ethically sourced jewelry. It also outlines some of the challenges that face this emerging movement.

It used to be the stolen kisses in the cleaning closet and the joint business trips, but today's tracking of illicit employee behavior has reached a new level of surveillance. Almost every communication and every message is tracked, recorded and catalogued by a company's IT department. Here are three things to watch out for if you are personalizing your work communications:

A practile guide for the Employer if you find mold in your place of business, How to protect your employees and your property safely.

Suppose that you are a passionate leader in the jewelry industry advocating fair eco trade. You go to the most important industry tradeshow with a big banner screaming "ECO FAIR TRADE JEWELRY NOW." Thousands pass by without noticing. This semi-biographical article, ranging from elk hunting to dentistry in Haitian slums, delves deeply into the human tragedy behind the industry's fragmentation.

The author, who owns a jewelry company, argues that those in the jewelry industry attempting to fend off critiques from NGOs are actually doing more harm than good. He calls for to a truthful reckoning of the atrocities of environmental and social upheaval. Everyone involved in the industry, from suppliers customer, shares responsibility and moral obligation to create a better future.

With all the fuss kicked up about SPAM and junk emails today, online marketing today has become a sensitive and important issue in establishing a client base for any business owner and marketing companies.