Highlights of 2011

2011 was an amazing year for CRED, Fairtrade gold and the Jewellery industry. To give ourselves a boost into the new year and all that 2012 could bring we are reminding ourselves of our 2011 highlights. What would yours be?

1. Fairtrade gold launched

On Valentines Day 2011 Fairtrade gold was certified for the first time with the joint Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold mark. When CRED began 10 years ago we came up against opinions in the jewellery industry that tracability could never be reached for gold and precious stones. So we worked hard to build up relationships with small scale group Oro Verde who mine gold to fairtrade and ecological standards that we developed together - these standards became the basis for the Fairtrade gold certification. All gold with this mark is independently audited so the system is open and transparent. Our gold has always been fairtrade, but now we have an extra stamp to prove it. Read more about Fairtrade and Fairmined gold.


The first jewellery made that was stamped with the new Fairtrade and Fairmined mark was...

2. CRED Jewellery on the Oscars red carpet. 

The first certified Fairtrade gold to arrive in the UK was whisked straight off to be made into an exclusive collection for Livia Firth to wear on the Oscars red carpet as she accompanied husband Colin Firth to pick up the Best Actor award for The Kings Speech. Designed by Anna Loucah, the earrings and cocktail ring were made from CRED ethical white gold with ethical diamonds and dramatic aquamarines - all from traceable sources. So CRED jewellery was paraded to the world and talked about on Vogue.com. The collection was then auctioned in aid of Oxfam for a record breaking £25,000. More pieces from the Juana collection are available from CRED.

3. Greg wins ethical campaigner of the year

15 years after setting up CRED Jewellery Greg Valerio was recognised in June for his work with the Observer Ethical Award for Campaigner of the Year. His vision has always been 'to make it culturally unacceptable to buy any jewellery that is not fairtrade or ethically responsible'. Greg accepted the award from Livia Firth alongside Americo Mosquero, a miner from Oro Verde Colombia - a poignant moment - but more about that next...

4. Americo's Trip

After working with us since we offered fairly traded Gold 10 years ago, Luis Americo Mosquero, one of the miners from Oro Verde in Colombia, finally came to the UK. We brought him over for the summer launch of Fairtrade Gold at London Jewellery Week as the representative of Oro Verde and the artisanal miners. In the short time he was here Americo had a whirlwind tour including the usual tourist stops, and adding in a few extras including hanging out with Colin Firth, accepting an award, giving a speech to the jewellery industry, and meeting influential players. His father used to joke about leaving the Chocco rainforest in Colombia and going to London, and Americo has finally lived his dream many years later.

5. CRED on TV


Throughout 2011 CRED were on TV talking about fairtrade, gold, diamonds, awards, fashion and generally being called upon for our expert opinion, and often to input a positive story where the news seemed negative. The Channel 4 Dispatches programme in June caused many a debate about the sources of gold, but we could confirm that it is possible to buy from truly traceable and ethical sources. similarly with the negative news that the Kimberley Process has received we talked to Channel 4 news about ensuring we offer traceable stones from ethical mines. Great News! See some of our videos on YouTube

What a year! As well as this top 5, in 2011 we also launched a new website, hosted a party for Fairtrade UK, hosted an ethical jewellery show as part of London Jewellery Week, held a competition for MA students... The appearance of Fairtrade gold in unusual places, such as on top of Chichester Cathedral, and in a Banana shaped necklace in Denmark, also made the news...

Bring on 2012!