Key points about where gold jewellery comes from

•    Mining accounts for about 2/3rds of the global supply of gold. The other 1/3 comes from existing supplies, mainly from recycled "scrap" gold and gold from banks or central banks (government sales).

•    Gold is a globally traded product, like a currency, and refiners, manufacturers and retailers buy gold for jewellery from the international market, often from refineries or banks.

•    Defining the primary source of gold used in a particular piece of jewellery is therefore virtually impossible.

•    The World Gold Council represents around 40% of total gold mining production, and our members are typically the largest gold producing companies, with well documented programmes committed to environmental and social responsibility.

•    The social value that the gold mining industry adds to societies around the world, especially poorer countries, is very important. Gold mining is vital to the fragile economies of many developing countries, which account for a large share of global gold production. In addition to generating export revenue in these countries, gold production provides royalty and tax income for their governments, benefits in infrastructure (e.g. health, education and transport), technology transfer and the creation of a skilled workforce.

•    The World Gold Council and many gold mining companies are active members of both the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM, www.icmm.com) and the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP,  www.responsiblejewellery.com). Both organisations provide a platform for the industry to work continually towards sustainable development improvements in gold mining, and are also contributors to the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), a multi-stakeholder group including WGC members, trade partners and NGOs.

•    The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) was launched in Vancouver, Canada, in June 2006. IRMA is working with the jewellery and gold mining industries, human/environmental rights groups (e.g. Oxfam, Earthworks), and other miners, to develop comprehensive responsible sourcing standards for all kinds of mining operations. Independent monitors will check for compliance with these standards, to provide the greatest assurance to consumers.

•    Many countries have national jewellery associations, e.g. Jewelers of America (www.jewelers.org ),  British Jewellers’ Association (www.bja.org.uk ),  who are also members of the CRJP and share the gold industry’s commitment, and by working together with all of their suppliers, they and their members can also have an impact on the ethical, social and environmental practices of the jewellery industry.