4 Reasons to Buy Fair Trade Jewelry
I love fair trade and there are at least 4 reasons why I personally prefer to buy fair trade products.
When something is described as being 'Fair Trade' this means the products which can be anything from consumable to jewelery has been produced within the framework of an internationally-recognized approach to trading.
The Fair Trade approach aims to ensure producers in poor Third World countries get a fair price for goods and services, decent working conditions and commitment from buyers so that there is reasonable monetary security for the producers.
It is this ethical approach to trading that forms the basis for my primary reason for buying fair trade products.
It gives me peace of mind the products are supplied within the ethical standards imposed by FTO (Fair Trade Organization).
Since the FTO have stringent guidelines, I am reassured no-one has been exploited in the production of the wonderful wares and that a fair wage has been exchanged for them.
By paying a fair wage enables the craftsmen and women to aspire to a better standard of living by way of buying clothes, growing their own food and buying educational materials.
This in turn enables whole communities to work together and support each other now and in the future.
My second important reason for purchasing fair trade is to create a demand which helps to keep ancient craft skills alive within the communities of indigenous people.
A good example of this is an organization called 'A Touch of India' based in Kolkata, India who specialize in making fair trade giftware using silk and embroidery.
The families within the community have retained the skills of bag, cushion and scarf making using ancient techniques such as Kantha embroidery, Zardozi and Aari work using sequins and beads.
The items they create use the most amazing fabrics in the most beautiful colours and are true works of art.
If there was no demand for fair trade, then maybe over time, the skills would be surplus to requirement and fade rather than be transferred from generation to generation.
My third reason is the originality of the design where each piece is individually crafted by hand so no two pieces can ever be exactly the same.
A good example of this is found in a community in Bali, Indonesia who specialize in hand carving out of wood and then painting different kinds of birds, from humming birds to toucans, parrots and cockerels.
I have personally examined these products and am stunned by the sheer artistry and skills involved in the carving itself as well as the beautiful colours and accurate depiction of the bird's plumage.
Although each range is identical, no two items can ever be an exact carbon copy.
I would prefer to buy hand carved products than those mass produced on a production line where each and every item is an exact copy.
For me, fair trade gives you that uniqueness and speciality that nothing else can match.
My fourth reason is that each item not only has the identity of the artisan imprinted upon it, but also their culture reflecting their ancient skills, giving each piece a uniqueness and in my opinion such authenticity can only be achieved by these remarkable people.
A fine example of this is the silver jewelery made by a religious community called the Jains who reside in Southern India.
When I look at their silver jewelery inlaid with gemstones from Malachite to Moonstone, I cannot help but feel each piece is imprinted with the Jain's simple way of life and to me, the elegant and clean designs reflect the serenity and simplicity of their existence.
When something is described as being 'Fair Trade' this means the products which can be anything from consumable to jewelery has been produced within the framework of an internationally-recognized approach to trading.
The Fair Trade approach aims to ensure producers in poor Third World countries get a fair price for goods and services, decent working conditions and commitment from buyers so that there is reasonable monetary security for the producers.
It is this ethical approach to trading that forms the basis for my primary reason for buying fair trade products.
It gives me peace of mind the products are supplied within the ethical standards imposed by FTO (Fair Trade Organization).
Since the FTO have stringent guidelines, I am reassured no-one has been exploited in the production of the wonderful wares and that a fair wage has been exchanged for them.
By paying a fair wage enables the craftsmen and women to aspire to a better standard of living by way of buying clothes, growing their own food and buying educational materials.
This in turn enables whole communities to work together and support each other now and in the future.
My second important reason for purchasing fair trade is to create a demand which helps to keep ancient craft skills alive within the communities of indigenous people.
A good example of this is an organization called 'A Touch of India' based in Kolkata, India who specialize in making fair trade giftware using silk and embroidery.
The families within the community have retained the skills of bag, cushion and scarf making using ancient techniques such as Kantha embroidery, Zardozi and Aari work using sequins and beads.
The items they create use the most amazing fabrics in the most beautiful colours and are true works of art.
If there was no demand for fair trade, then maybe over time, the skills would be surplus to requirement and fade rather than be transferred from generation to generation.
My third reason is the originality of the design where each piece is individually crafted by hand so no two pieces can ever be exactly the same.
A good example of this is found in a community in Bali, Indonesia who specialize in hand carving out of wood and then painting different kinds of birds, from humming birds to toucans, parrots and cockerels.
I have personally examined these products and am stunned by the sheer artistry and skills involved in the carving itself as well as the beautiful colours and accurate depiction of the bird's plumage.
Although each range is identical, no two items can ever be an exact carbon copy.
I would prefer to buy hand carved products than those mass produced on a production line where each and every item is an exact copy.
For me, fair trade gives you that uniqueness and speciality that nothing else can match.
My fourth reason is that each item not only has the identity of the artisan imprinted upon it, but also their culture reflecting their ancient skills, giving each piece a uniqueness and in my opinion such authenticity can only be achieved by these remarkable people.
A fine example of this is the silver jewelery made by a religious community called the Jains who reside in Southern India.
When I look at their silver jewelery inlaid with gemstones from Malachite to Moonstone, I cannot help but feel each piece is imprinted with the Jain's simple way of life and to me, the elegant and clean designs reflect the serenity and simplicity of their existence.
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