Decoding Artisanal Mining Communities
DECODING SUSTAINABILITY IN JEWELRY:
Artisanal Mining Communities
What do artisanal mining communities look like and how are they different from industrial-scale mining?
As Adrianne Sanogo and I introduce this topic, we present the landscape as we understand it so far.
Both of us have had the opportunity to get to know Roger Dery, a celebrated colored gemstone cutter and his family, Ginger and Rachel, who created Gem Legacy. Gem Legacy is a 501(C)3 that provides vocational training, equipment, and support to entrepreneurs in mining communities. Some of these are women, such as the Precious Women Mine, run by Beatrice and Esther! You will catch a glimpse of how East African artisanal mining communities are more like extended families.
In the coming weeks, we will be talking to people around the world (especially women) who are running artisanal mining outfits and initiatives that holistically support every role that contributes to harvesting gemstones from the earth to the market. We will ask about the challenges involved and solutions in place that protect people, the environment, and discover how mining can sustain these communities that enable them to economically thrive.
The reason we are exploring these topics is to create space where consumers are empowered to make considered choices that best align with their values.
This is an ever-evolving topic and our conversations will be ongoing.
Responsibly sourced artisanally mined colored gemstones are currently far easier to access than artisanally mined diamonds. Reach out to us if you are seeking a responsibly sourced gemstone!
We want to know what YOUR questions are, so comment with your questions below!
The full commentary can be found in one place HERE.
While we are deep in our research, we would like to know what YOUR questions are, so please email me and follow along here and on Instagram: @AdrianneSanogo or @AllTheBrilliants!
