Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

Conflict Materials Revisited

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There are monthly stories of scummy miners displacing or outright slaughtering indigenous tribes for gold and gemstones. How's that wedding ring and diamond you so lusted after now? Are you responsible for perpetuating any of this for a piece of jewelry? Doesn't sound like much of a "girl's best friend" after all.

One of myriad bad stories allegedly goes like this. The US Justice Department suspected NTR (Northern Texas Refinery) Metals, a Dallas-based company, of smuggling BILLIONS of dollars of illegal gold into the USA for international distribution.

A quote from the article found here explains it better:
"Prosecutors outlined a conspiracy in which NTR employees bought Peruvian gold from illegal mines that support human trafficking, forced labor and environmental devastation. NTR's office in Miami then laundered billions of dollars for Peruvian narco-terrorists and others who controlled those mines by purchasing their gold, according to the U.S. complaint filed in Miami."

Assassinatable humans used forced labor and other undesirable "employment" tactics to get their bounty. There are carcasses of people and cesspools of toxic chemicals abutting pristine wilderness. Warlords sit in their fortresses commanding a legion of slaves under threat of violence and torture.

Are you truly buying "clean" metals? All world governments know gold and silver pools are heavily tainted with illegal metals. Nothing has or will stop it because there's too much money; man's greed cannot be abated.

What about companies that are committed to eco-friendly, fair trade practices? If they purchase gold or silver from the "pool" they have no guarantee since it is watered down with illegal stuff! Every item made from such metals is contributing to the problem.

More people are beginning to say they care about the source of their gold, silver, or conflict minerals than ever before. It doesn't mean they act on their convictions. A low price is an irresistible motivator to buyers and sellers. With everyone looking to get ahead and keep up with the Joneses, we won't be going smartphone-free anytime soon.

To clarify my non-participation in this whole debacle, there is no question about the origin of my precious metals. I have 100% accountability and traceability, literally from the molecular level. It is impossible to be more eco-friendly, eco-conscious, handmade, fair trade, or whatever you ask because I do it all from the purchasing of scrap metals to packaging the finished product.

Supporting companies that respect people and the planet sends a powerful message. Otherwise, it must be unsettling to know your purchases contribute to, and collectively have caused, the destruction described herein. It's a burden the first world countries have forced upon everyone.

We haven't evolved enough to make a worldwide change but you can do your individual part. Better decisions will have an immeasurable positive effect on others. As stewards of the planet we must protect and preserve resources and living entities. At least with my jewelry its impact has been minimized as much as possible.

Posted by M: September 21, 2017

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