Robert Goodman Jewelers Standards for Designers
In order to make our Human Model an actionable ethos, we’ve developed a “Pathway for Designers” guide that acts as a framework for procuring ethical jewelry for our clients.
The “Pathway for Designers” revolves around six important categories.
At Robert Goodman Jewelers, we’re passionate about advocating for a more ethical jewelry industry.
To do this, we work to empower and guide designers and suppliers towards more sustainable and responsible practices so they can create jewelry that matches our customers’ style and commitment to making a difference in the world.
The following six categories paint a picture of what jewelry designers and suppliers can do to better their own practices and the industry as a whole.
Robert Goodman Jewelers does not shy away from controversial issues that affect our community or the world at large. We’re committed to social justice and political change to make the world a place that is just, safe, and appreciative of diversity—which makes the tapestry of this country unique and rich.
We understand that a jewelry retailer can be a voice for change and a force for action, by getting involved with the jewelry industry and community in constructive and inclusive ways. We do that by engaging with our trade through industry initiatives and locally by welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community, advocating for gun control, protecting women’s reproductive rights, fighting against discrimination and antisemitism, and promoting equity, justice, and love.
Ways jewelers, designers, and vendors can support activism:
Getting involved in jewelry industry efforts advocating for transparency and traceability
Giving, supporting, or raising awareness for local and/or international charities
Supporting and participating in on-the-ground initiatives (i.e. volunteer, civil engagement)
At the beginning of the precious metals value chain are people and communities clustered around either large-scale mines or small, artisanal ones.
When it comes to gold, an estimated 75% of the annual supply is newly mined and up to 20% is being mined by artisanal miners. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) employs an estimated 15 million people and supports upwards of 100 million people in over 80 countries. ASGM is not only important for the livelihoods of millions of families but it’s also the pathway out of poverty and the bridge towards alternative forms of income.
At Robert Goodman Jewelers, we promote two global initiatives that connect us directly with the ASGM community—CRAFT and the Fairmined Standard. Both programs require legal mining activities and are engaged in methods to mitigate inherent risks. As these programs continue to improve, they achieve responsible mining expectations of environmental protection and community engagement.
By buying jewelry made of gold or silver sourced from miners participating in these programs, we’re committed to the well-being of these mining communities while championing the use of legitimate operations and responsible practices.
Ways jewelers, designers, and vendors can support responsible artisanally mined gold and silver:
Making jewelry from gold and/or silver mined by Fairmined-certified mines
Purchasing gold and silver from artisanal miners working toward more formal practices (e.g. following the CRAFT Standard)
Participating in specialty grass-root projects involving artisanal mining initiatives
Precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are not thrown out as waste. As their name implies, the precious nature and value of these elements have always resulted in jewelers melting and reusing them since antiquity.
The public understands recycling in the broadest sense as the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. However, “eco-friendly" practices and materials have led to "recycled" precious metals claims that don't actually reduce new mining activity. Because precious metals, at least in the jewelry industry, have never been thrown away, the hope that buying recycled gold will achieve a greener world does actually add up to the desired result.
The real greening opportunity is the recovery of precious metals from e-waste, dental scraps, and x-ray film. Robert Goodman Jewelers is dedicated to transparently disclosing the use of pre- and post-consumer gold, silver, and platinum. In some cases certifications verifying the recycled content are available, but these are not perfect. Definitions for recycled precious metals are actively changing as more information continues to come to light. At this time, recycling is not reducing new mining activity.
Ways jewelers, designers, and vendors can support certified recycled precious metals:
Providing the percentage of pre- and post-consumer content
Looking for SCS “Recycled Content” Certification
Avoiding promoting the use of “recycled” precious metals until more is known
Similar to precious metals mining, 80% of colored gemstones are mined extensively in the Global South by artisanal miners in over 47 countries, a global industry valued between $10 and $15 billion.
The nuances of responsibly sourcing colored gemstones differ a little from gold. These differences range from mining methods to gender roles and include how the materials are traded.
Robert Goodman Jewelers has pledged to support local, community-driven initiatives that empower regional miners with mineral and gemstone education, access to fair market spaces and prices, and further technical assistance to educate them with lapidary and other high-value skills.
Ways jewelers, designers, and vendors can support responsible artisanally mined gemstones:
Knowing the country of origin
Working with mine-to-market initiatives incorporating community investments
Using gemstones that are traceable to the mine
Natural diamonds are primarily mined in large, industrial operations that employ nearly 10 million people. Less visible is the artisanal diamond mining sector which is responsible for 20% of annual production.
An estimated $16 billion worth of rough diamonds are produced per year, of which approximately 37% are produced in Africa. Diamonds have been in the news for years due to numerous reports of human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and corruption present in the sector.
Robert Goodman Jewelers is adamant about pursuing legitimate, transparent diamond sources that also uphold US sanctions aimed at preventing the trade of Russian diamonds amidst the conflict with Ukraine.
Ways jewelers, designers, and vendors can support responsible diamond sourcing:
Using traceable, artisanally mined diamonds
Providing the source country of origin
Making jewelry is an art form and a craft—and designers make many decisions about how a piece will look and how it will be made. Along the manufacturing process, from the making of the alloys to the fabrication, casting, and stone setting, all the way to finishing and polishing the jewel, there are manufacturing practices that can make the process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
After the jewel is finished, there are steps taken to sell, package, and ship the piece that may also be constructed to make the process greener. Robert Goodman Jewelers is always looking for jewelry partners that are passionate about making their practices better and working towards a more balanced relationship between people and the planet.
We look for evidence of a business’s pursuit of accountability (governance), transparency, and performance to meet expectations that align with our commitment to our customers.
Ways jewelers, designers, and vendors can support ethical business and manufacturing practices:
Focusing on personal impacts
- Waste (i.e. Plastic)
- Energy (i.e. Electricity source)
- Toxic Materials (i.e. Use + Disposal)
- Transportation (i.e. Public transit)
Setting expectations for supplier practices (activities not in your direct control, but which you can influence)
- Waste (i.e. Plastic)
- Energy (i.e. Electricity source)
- Toxic Materials (i.e. Use + Disposal)
- Transportation (i.e. Public transit)