An increasing recognition of the need to ensure those sourcing precious metals and stones from the ground receive a liveable wage has enabled me where possible to ensure that the materials I use are not contributing to an industry that continues to have a long history marked with exploitation and corruption. The change in this industry is only just starting to become visible, with certified fair-trade Gold being first launched in 2011, while very limited in availability it hopefully will see the increased and wider production of fair-trade metals.
As a independent artist there are other ways that I try to ensure that the sourcing of materials are sustainable and do not conform with exploitation through sourcing through companies that used recycled metals, and traders that guarantee good working conditions for those working to mine precious stones.