Introduction to Fairtrade gold

This is Fairtrade’s unique way of enabling many ethical jewellers and artists to participate in the Fairtrade story and support Fairtrade certified artisanal miners.

Best for smaller jewellers and goldsmiths that want to:

• Show their support for miners by using Fairtrade Gold in their business
• Buy less than 500g of Fairtrade Gold per year
• Have annual membership by registering through a free and simple to use online system
• Access a range of promotional materials to promote their support for Fairtrade Gold

Registered Goldsmiths have to renew their free membership on an annual basis and agree to the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. These include only using the pre-approved promotional materials provided. Registered Goldsmiths will need to purchase their Fairtrade metal from a licensed supplier, whose full supply chain is audited to Fairtrade Gold Standards. Finished pieces of jewellery will not be able to have the Fairtrade stamp applied due to traceability ending with the supplier. Registered Goldsmiths may also be able to purchase ‘white label’ finished products which do carry the Fairtrade Stamp (for example, ring mounts and wedding bands) from a Fairtrade licensed supplier.

Jewellers and goldsmiths who join the scheme agree to abide by terms and conditions including:

• not being able to stamp their creations with the Fairtrade Mark
• using pre-approved marketing and communication materials
• using no more than 500g gold per year
• allowing spot-audits to check compliance with these terms and conditions

To start your simple online registration, please click here.

If you have already registered and would like to access your online account, please click here.

Best for businesses that want to:

• Know that their Fairtrade Gold is traceable from the mine to finished jewellery piece
• Apply the Fairtrade stamp to finished pieces as a consumer guarantee that the gold has been responsibly mined
• Use the FAIRTRADE Gold Mark on promotional materials to communicate the Fairtrade Gold story to their customers.
• Benefit from involvement in Fairtrade marketing and campaign activities

Jewellers are required to sign a License agreement with Fairtrade ANZ. Approval is also sought for any print or web materials featuring the FAIRTRADE Gold Mark. A one-off sign-up fee of $220 (plus GST) will apply and once set up Licensees will be required to report on the volume of precious metal sold each quarter and a License fee of AU$2.50 per gram of fine gold sold will be charged. 

As Licensees are in most cases processing gold (rather than simply selling on finished pieces) they are also required to sign a Certification contract with Fairtrade ANZ. This will mean signing up to comply with the Fairtrade Standards for Gold and Precious Metals and the Fairtrade Trader Standard which Fairtrade ANZ will audit against.

The total fees are as follows:

• License Fee: AU$2.50+GST per gram of fine gold sold, subject to a minimum of AU$ 500 + GST per annum
• Certification: AU$ 500 + GST per annum

The annual fees cover all auditing and monitoring costs.

To become a Fairtrade Licensee you will need to complete an application form here.

Unlike some European markets where an Assay office is employed to apply the Fairtrade Mark/Stamp to finished articles, in Australia Fairtrade Licensees are authorised to apply the mark themselves but must procure their own stamp for the purpose.

For a list of Fairtrade Gold bullion suppliers, see here.