| Wildlife Biologist Kim Poole On The Impact Of Diamond Mining In Canada by Marc Choyt |
| Diamonds mined in Canada are marketed by some jewelers as the most ethical choice. How much do such operations impact the environment? This issue is discussed in an interview by wild life biologist, Kim Poole, who spent several years monitoring the mines for public watchdog group. |
|
| The Challenge And Opportunity In Supplying Fair Trade Gemstones by Marc Choyt |
| This article considers current issues surrounding the fair trade gemstone supply chain from the perspective of a manufacture and retailer. It broadly reviews what is taking place on the ground right now from a macro perspective, and what jewelers and consumers can do to support this emerging movement emerging product category. |
|
| Fair Trade Lessons Learned From Bali Jewelry Factory Visits by Marc Choyt |
| When a company markets "fair trade jewelry," might that mean in terms of actual manufacturing? There is no established standard. Yet jewelry manufacturing is complex and toxic. This article explores lessons concerning safety and cultural issues based on jewelry factory visits in Bali, Indonesia. |
|
| The Myth and Lore of August's Birthstone, Peridot by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers peridot, the birthstone of August, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Sapphire: September's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers sapphires, the birthstone of September, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Pearl: June's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers pearls, the birthstone of June, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Emeralds: May's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers emeralds, the birthstone of May, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Topaz: November's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers topaz, the birthstone of November, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Garnets: January's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers garnets, the birthstone of January, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Opal: October's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers opal, the birthstone of October, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Lore of Lapis Lazuli, December's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers Lapis Lazuli, the birthstone of December, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical |
|
| Myth and History of Turquoise, December's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers turquoise, the birthstone of December, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical lore. |
|
| Myth and Lore of Diamonds: April's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers diamonds, the birthstone of April, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore Aquamarine: March's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers aquamarine, the birthstone of March, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Amethyst: The Birthstone of February by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers amethyst, the birthstone of February, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| The Myth and Lore of Rubies: July's Birthstone by Marc Choyt |
| As a jeweler, I am often asked about birthstones by my customers. Yet few understand the historical connection behind between gem and month. Nor do many considered what is behind the attraction one may feel toward a particular gem. This article considers ruby, the birthstone of July, using myth and lore, to grasp this gem's metaphysical "meaning". |
|
| Politics and the Burmese Ruby Boycott by Marc Choyt |
| Jewelers of America, representing 11,000 jewelers, urge a boycott of Burmeserubies. Yet some gem dealers deeply familiar with the situation in Burma claimruby trade is decentralized, and that the boycott hurts the artisanal minersin the pro-democracy movement, not the government. This article considers thepolitics behind the boycott: who it helps and who it hurts. |
|
| The True Meaning Of Heart by Marc Choyt |
| With Valentine's Day coming up, we see the image of the heart has become a kind of hackneyed cliche. Yet heart has an entirely different meaning. Drawing on the mythology, mysticism, and depth psychology, this article explores the true meaning of the heart in many of its dimensions. |
|
| The Diamond Trade in 2007: How Much Blood Remains? by Marc Choyt |
| The blood diamond issue is no longer in the news, yet these diamonds still are widely traded. This insider's view, written by a jeweler, gives a present day and historical context to the diamond trade. Ultimately the consumer concerned about ethics is empowered to make informed decisions when purchasing their own diamond. |
|
| Deciphering Celtic Knots in Celtic Jewelry by Marc Choyt |
| Often the meaning of Celtic jewelry is based more on marketing than an understanding of symbolism. This article discusses the true meaning of knot motifs from a universal, sacred geometry perspective. By considering the elements that make up the knot patterns, such as square, circles, crosses and triangles, the reader is able to gain insights into Celtic motifs and his or her own life journey. |
|
| Lead In Children's and Adult's Jewelry: The Untold Story by Marc Choyt |
| The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a small NGO, first discovered high lead content in jewelry. They filed law suit and helped to pushed through legislation. Michael Green, the Executive Director and Caroline Cox, Research Director, discuss how prevalent lead in adult and children's jewelry is, and how they exposed companies such as Disney, Mattel, Nordstrom and Federated. |
|
| Is There Such A Thing As Fair Trade Jewelry? by Marc Choyt |
| Third party certified "fair trade" jewelry does not exist; yet if you google "fair trade jewelry" millions of sites come up. Written for the consumer and the trade, this short article, extensively researched and referenced, sorts though the concept of "fair trade" in the jewelry sector. The examples from many sources shed light on what fair trade jewelry might mean, if there is such a thing. |
|
| Interview with Carmen Iezzi by Marc Choyt |
| There's a great deal of confusion and misleading information around fair trade jewelry. While there is no such thing as third party certified fair trade jewelry, many companies sell fair trade jewelry. This interview with Carmen Iezzi, director of the Fair Trade Federation, clarifies why fair trade jewelry is listed as a product category on their website. |
|
| Interview with Steve D'Esposito on Fair Trade Jewelry by Marc Choyt |
| Steve D'Esposito, executive director of Earthworks, discusses his organization of a multi-sector "Ethical Jewelry Summit" on socially and environmentally sourced jewelry production. This article discusses some of the issues involved in the very early stages of this important movement in the mainstream jewelry world. The summit is to take place in Washington DC, Oct. 25th and 26th. |
|
| Committing to Love and the Earth: a Guide to Green Weddings by Marc Choyt |
| For the many people committing to marriage today are deeply concerned about the state of the environment, green weddings are an increasingly popular option. This article gives a wide range of references which can provide seed ideas for those interested in conducting a marriage that ecologically responsible. |
|
|
