Golden Integrity: Why Ethically Sourced Fairmined Gold Matters in My Jewelry
Before a single stone is set or metal is shaped, my work begins with intention.
Each piece I create is more than just jewelry—it’s a legacy of care, craft, and conscience. The metals and gems I choose don’t just hold light; they hold stories. And one summer afternoon in my studio, I realized how important it is to know exactly what those stories are.
It was August 2018, and my daughter—just three years old—was doing her best toddler version of assisting me at the bench. She was full of giggles and sparkles, picking up gemstones and half-finished pieces, chirping with delight:
“Wow! These are so pretty. Wow! Pretty pretties. Pretty pretties. Mommy makes pretty pretties…”
Then she suddenly went quiet.
I looked up to see her holding a cluster of gold and gemstones delicately between her tiny fingers with chipped glitter nail polish. She studied them intently before blurting out,
“Mommy, who makes this? How did it get here?”
I answered automatically—mentioning the names of my suppliers, refiners, and gem dealers.
She scrunched up her nose and, with toddler conviction, declared,
“No! Mommy, I don’t think so. Tell me who!”
My studio assistant—three years old and already asking big questions. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds
That moment landed in my heart like a stone.
She wasn’t asking about logistics. She was asking about people.
And I realized two things right then: First, my daughter had absolutely inherited both my curiosity and my finely tuned bullshit meter. And second, I didn’t have an answer that honored her question.
I had followed developments in traceability and responsible sourcing for years, but that day made it personal. It was no longer enough to rely on good intentions—I needed to be certain. I needed to be able to answer, truthfully and proudly, who made this and how it got here.
That moment with my daughter led me to become a licensed Fairmined gold jewelry designer in in the fall of 2018.
Fairmined gold isn’t just about traceability—it’s about justice, sustainability, and empowerment. Through the Alliance for Responsible Mining, Fairmined certification ensures that the gold is mined by small-scale artisanal miners working under safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible conditions. It brings transparency to a traditionally opaque supply chain—and most importantly, it brings dignity and opportunity to the people behind the gold.
When you wear one of my pieces handcrafted in Fairmined 14k gold, you're not just embracing beauty—you’re joining a global movement toward conscious luxury. Each design reflects a chain of care, from the miner’s hands to mine to yours.
This same intention shapes my silver collections, which feature the highest-quality 100% recycled sterling silver from trusted U.S. suppliers. While Fairmined silver isn’t yet available domestically, I’m watching closely—and the moment it is, I’ll welcome it wholeheartedly into my work.
Jewelry is intimate—it rests against our skin, holds our memories, and often becomes heirloom. It should never carry harm. I believe true luxury isn’t just about how something looks—it’s about how it’s made and who it honors.
And now, whenever my daughter—or anyone’s daughter—asks, “Who made this? How did it get here?”
I have an answer.
And it begins with integrity.
Fairmined Gold Jewelry
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