With the holiday shopping season upon us, residents of some states have a rare opportunity to make jewelry purchasing choices that support peace and development in one of the deadliest conflict zones in the world. This zone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is home to the deadliest conflict since World War II, with more than 5.4 million people dead. Minerals, especially gold, are illegally mined and traded by armed groups, helping to fund their atrocities.
There are multiple parts to the solution, but one piece of the puzzle is ensuring that jewelry companies get engaged by understanding their own supply chains, creating a demand for conflict-free gold from Congo, and supporting programs for local mining communities. According to a recently released Enough Project report, Signet and Tiffany are leading efforts to ensure their gold jewelry is part of the solution to violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and if consumers take this into consideration when purchasing their holiday gifts, hopefully more companies will feel the pressure to follow.
All companies that sell jewelry have the opportunity to be a part of breaking the link between gold and violence in Congo and the surrounding region. But companies rarely make a deep commitment … unless their consumers demand it.
Carly Fabian
Washington, D.C.
