Metalsmiths are independent studio artists and jewelry designers who continue to use centuries-old techniques to make jewelry, vessels and small sculpture. A growing number of contemporary metalsmiths balance the use of historical hand techniques with the high tech world of digital design. Fabrication techniques include such things as casting, sawing, hammering and soldering metal, and setting stones. Although metalsmiths do not consume great quantities of metals in comparison to large retail jewelers, what we make with our materials is very significant. Our work embodies knowledge, skill and personal vision.  We lead trends in the jewelry industry and influence customers and suppliers through daily personal contact.  Metalsmiths also make daily purchasing decisions, so it is essential they understand how they can reward ethical practices.

Ethical Metalsmiths (EM) is an all-volunteer organization of independent metal artists and jewelry designers who are concerned about the harmful effects of irresponsible metal and gemstone mining around the world.  EM was founded by a group of concerned artists after they discovered that they, as well as many of their peers, cared deeply about the sourcing of their materials and did not want their work tarnished by the socially and environmentally damaging actions of certain irresponsible actors within the mining industry.  As purveyors of the materials at the heart of this debate, we share responsibility for sourcing.  We also hope to share responsibility, together with leaders in the mining industry and consumers, for moving toward accountability, transparency and commitment to clearly-defined, broadly-accepted standards for environmental and social performance.  Standards and a labeling system will enable consumers to measure a mining company’s environmental and social practices, and ultimately choose to purchase materials that are consistent with their values. 

We hope to engage and educate our community -- artists, metalsmiths, goldsmiths, jewelers, educators and students, galleries and collectors, retailers and suppliers – and to inspire them to use their combined purchasing power to reward ethical practices, ultimately benefiting the environment and the hundreds of communities adjacent to mines.  We believe that metalsmiths are poised to play a vital role in moving the industry toward a high ethical standard.

If you are not a metalsmith but you would like to support ethical sourcing and a broadly-accepted international certification standard for jewelry and metals, we welcome your interest and input.  Please check back with us in the near future to follow these issues, read about our progress on the sourcing of ethical materials and the development of a certification standard.  We also invite you to voice your support for our mission on our Community Voices page.