We’ve all seen Blood Diamond, but I’m waiting for The Truth About Gold.
We’ve blogged here about how the standard gold mining process is destructive to humans and our environment. For starters, extracting gold from the ground means separating it from surrounding ore. There are two methods used to do this – cyanide and mercury. Cyanide escapes easily into our waterways. Mercury accumulates as vapors, poisoning miners; it also builds up in our ecosystem, contaminating foods we eat (like tuna).
Humans have been enthralled by gold since our very beginnings. I think it’s vitally important to raise awareness about gold mining and to celebrate ethical artists such as Toby Pomeroy who are insisting on "green" gold (his work is shown above). Toby was so conflicted by the negative impacts of gold mining that he petitioned the nation’s largest gold supplier and refiner to provide gold from entirely reclaimed sources. Toby’s success proves that we can change the world for the better.
"Old" gold doesn’t degrade when remade. Getting previously mined gold back into circulation is probably the easiest and most effective way of recreating jewelry – and it’s something you can do yourself. Donate those gaudy baubles from Aunt Gertrude that you’ll never wear. Here’s how to recycle your gold.
Image: Toby Pomeroy