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We are often asked if our beads are fair trade. To our knowledge
no beading products are available certified Fairtrade and the Fairtrade
website http://www.fairtrade.org.uk
does not include any jewellery items.
Whenever possible we prefer to buy from the factory so we do have some insight
to the manufacturing process. We have listed below a guide to the source of
most of the beads of this site so that you can judge for yourselves.
Sterling Silver Wire
The only item made in England, we believe that employment conditions are good!
Semi-Precious Stones
Precious gems and semi precious stones are mined worldwide, often from countries
with poor working conditions. We have no means of pinpointing the precise
origin and and production method of stones though we are usually aware of
the general location of origin.
We source many of our beads from large, high profile factories in India and
China. It is likely that employment conditions would be less than considered
acceptable to Westernised countries; this would be the case with any precious
or semi-precious gemstones sourced from any such country; in fact, the end
cost of the product is tied in closely with the working processes and the
source of such gemstones. Quite simply, if it were possible to source gemstones
from countries with higher employment ethics this would result in far higher
costs; in today's bead market, this would make gemstone beads or stones completely
unsaleable due to the cost of manufacture; the market is entirely driven by
the customer and how much they are prepared to pay for such items...if we
had a demand (and customers were prepared to pay the far higher costs in manufacture
of 'ethical' items) we would be delighted to be able to stock them; as it
stands to our knowledge such ethical sourcing of these items (as with freshwater
pearls) is not possible at present. Our market experience is that pricing
is the major customer buying consideration.
With few exceptions if you are concerned about ethical beading you should
avoid all gemstones (including diamonds!).
Freshwater Pearls
We source from large Pearl farms in China and Thailand. It is likely that
the employment conditions are less than considered acceptable to Westernised
countries; see our comments above regarding semi-precious gemstones which
are applicable to the issues relating to the production of freshwater pearls.
With few exceptions if you are concerned about ethical beading you should
avoid all cultured pearls.
Sterling Silver Beads and Findings
The sourcing of silver is complex and a definitive answer is difficult. Silver
ore is mainly mined in Peru, Mexico, China & Australia. We cannot comment
about the working conditions as the information is not available to us.
Machine made findings such as 'pin' headpins, eyepins, bolt rings,
earwires, chain, split rings etc are made in China, Italy, India, Germany
and United States. We source mainly from distributors so cannot comment about
the working conditions.
Most of our Sterling Silver beads (STS) are sourced from Bali, Indonesia
directly from the manufacturer. We believe that employment conditions are
satisfactory; the type of bead we source from Bali tend to be made by small
companies who employ artisans - we are generally satisfied that they get a
fair deal.
Fancy clasps are mainly sourced from Israel directly from the factory.
We believe that employment conditions are satisfactory.
Note: We no longer source Sterling Silver from India which
is a producer of 'Bali style' beads as we have found the product to be lower
quality than we were happy with; we also felt that if we described something
as 'Bali' silver then it should originate from Bali! Real Bali silver has
a far higher quality and detail than Indian copies and is easily recognisable,
we are more comfortable with production conditions in Bali and Indonesia than
those in India.
Karen Tribal Silver
The king of Thailand has encouraged the Karen tribe to develop local handicrafts
including silver manufacturing as an alternative to Opium production. Each
tribal family specialises in an individual style. We source directly from
the tribes, so can be confident that the employment conditions are satisfactory.
Swarovski Crystal Beads and Pearls
We source directly from the factory in Austria. We can be confident that the
employment conditions are satisfactory as we have direct contact with Swarovski
management.
Rocailles
Manufactured in Japan, we source these via distributors, but can be confident
that the employment conditions are satisfactory.
Dichroic Beads & Pendants
Nearly all of our dichroic beads are made in the United States from small,
individual artisans with whom we have a close working relationship. We source
directly from the makers so can be confident that the employment conditions
are satisfactory.
Dichroic pendants are sourced mostly from the United States (from artisans
as above), but some are from Mexico. These (Mexico made) were sourced via
a distributor so cannot comment on the employment conditions.
Note many dichroic beads and pendants offered
for sale outside our website by
other retailers are likely to be manufactured
in India or China.
Stringing
Beadalon is manufactured in the United States. We source directly from
the factory and can be confident that the employment conditions are satisfactory.
Beading wires are mostly made in Germany. We source these via distributors,
but can be confident that the employment conditions are satisfactory.
Imitation suede is manufactured in South Korea. We source via distributors,
but can be confident that the employment conditions are satisfactory.
Leather cord is made in India. We source via distributors
so we cannot comment on the employment conditions.
Tools
Pliers are sourced from the factory in Pakistan. It is likely that the
employment conditions are less than considered acceptable to Westernised countries;
it has been our experience that customers tend to want to purchase on price
point.
Other tools made in China, Pakistan and Taiwan are sourced via distributors
so we cannot comment on the employment conditions.
