Green Pearl Brands

[Valeria101]

There's been some 'green talk' 'round here recently... so when it comes down to it, are there any green pearl brands out there? I know some of the businesses here have that kind of conscience and aren't shy of keeping it in plain sight, but this is not what I am referring to, but rather a label that proposes some environmental message front and center along with their pearls (here's an example from another industry - the article inspired this thread).


[you might remember some previous posts of mine on the theme... OK. I'd rather take the bull by the horn for once: if the stuff works, I'd rather know how and where rather then not. Perhaps a wiser barbarian for all that ]

 

[Heidi]

I'd look at Kamoka as a good example because of how the facility is designed, how Josh has developed new approaches to the cultivation and the social responsibility he demonstrates in the community. That said, pearls are not what we'd call a regionally produced item, typically. A farmed commodity which has to be transported a long distance to its point of use is not considered "green" strictly speaking. However, if the industry size and breadth influences more responsible treatment of salt- and fresh-water bodies, there are sustainable benefits to it which extend beyond the direct intent and practices of the farms, importers, jewelers and retailers (among many others).

As far as a label like Energy Star or LEED certification, there is nothing in particular that I have come across for pearls. I would be very interested to know if there is something out there.

 

[Heidi]

Now that you have me thinking I'll add one more thing:

Third-party certification of a quantifiable impact of a given practice is what distinguishes some businesses from others if we're talking about something which goes beyond self-reporting. The two labels I mentioned in my post above share this characteristic.

 

[Raisondetre]

I think for a green industry product to be sustainable, there needs to be public awareness and government support. The costs of doing something ecologically responsibly is added on to the final sale price, and unless it's something with benefits the public accepts, e.g. organic food (especially with rising cancer rates), most people aren't willing to pay for it. I simply can't afford it even though I know of the health benefits. For something like pearls, marketing and government support has to come in. The public still doesn't quite reward ecologic reponsibility. Sea of Cortez is probably the exception, because the production is still low enough for there to be significant "mystique" (in a good way of course) and high demand despite the higher pricing. It helps that there is something special about the pearls, but for the more commonly available pearl types, especially freshwater, there is just no perceived added value to buying it above other cheaper types of the same quality. Imagine a Chinese brand touting its freshwater pearls as "green". First and foremost, would we even believe it based on the track record of longstanding Chinese buisness practices? Don't flame me, I'm ethnically Chinese, have done business in China but look at the melamine scandal. Unleaded petrol/gasoline didn't take off until government subsidies kicked in making it more expensive to buy the leaded version in Australia. In Singapore, the government refused the subsidy, but legislated for new vehicles to use unleaded fuel only. Someone on a higher level has to do something on a larger scale.

 

[Heidi]

...Someone on a higher level has to do something on a larger scale.

Or the economic growth of the industry in question has to be threatened. That is often the most immediate catalyst for action. Taxes or fines are something we see in the US as deterrents. More recently there have also been tax credits and sometimes financial assistance available for demonstrated (and quantifiable) environmentally responsible practices.

 

[judimcc6]

I think we could look for labels indicating Fair Trade pearls rather than "green". It sounds like Josh's farm could be classified in those terms.

"Fair trade's strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to one of security and economic self-sufficiency. It also aims at empowering them to become stakeholders in their own organizations and actively play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade."

 

[Heidi]

Judi - very good point. Thanks!

 

[Heidi]

Here are a couple links for reference regarding Fair Trade.
Fair Trade Federation LINK - specifically for North American countries.
Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International LINK

 

[Valeria101]

That makes some sense... For a moment, you had me scared.

 

[waimeamomi]

I think all of the points above are very good ones. I'd also like to add and to believe that it also starts with each of us. I feel good about buying from and supporting Kamoka and Josh because of his commitment to doing the right thing. I'm not interested in looking for bargains or the cheapest deal in this case. Maybe this is why I'll never be a good busines person, but I like being able to tell people where my Tahitians come from and the kind of farm Josh is running. I'm sure it would be easier for him to do it the other way, just like it might be cheaper for me, but I guess I really do believe that one person can make a difference, especially if there are a lot of our one persons. It's only 7 a.m. here, and I'm waxing philosiphical already.

 

[Sueki]

Yes, me too, Sheryl.
I absolutely agree.
Once again, I find you speaking my thoughts......

 

[Heidi]

Hi Sheryl and Sueki -
Your thoughts and mine...and many others' too. On Thursday eve I was at an event to announce a new bureau in our city focused sustainable economic development in our region. One of the speakers talked about cultivating new business models based on collaboration/partnerships as opposed to competition as the sole focus for growth - strategy takes on a more nuanced meaning in this light. We see things here and there already which indicate there is something to be gained particularly in the long term by forming partnerships like yours with Josh (so makes this easier to 'sell' to entities not inherently interested in sustainable and socially responsible practices). The benefits include stability and quality branding so word of mouth and greater market penetration aside from the other things we want to see anyway. Which I find truly interesting and inspiring.

 

[judimcc6]

There is a very interesting conference that will be happening in New York on Dec 4-6, called "Green: Sustainability, Significance and Style". I will be going to it to further this conversation about Green Pearls. This is the link to the conference that, in the very least, is interesting to read about.
http://www.artinitiatives.com/public/
A quote from their description,
"How does fashion meet its planetary obligations? Natural materials, alternative fibers and ethically sourced stones and metals, reuse and repurposing, eco-responsible and bio-friendly packaging, and the marketing of Green to a diverse, global consumer are among the topics addressed."
I will report back or I might see you there...

 

[GemGeek]

You go grrrrrl!!!

 

[KAC]

How does fashion meet its planetary obligations?

Wow that is going to be an uphill battle - we still have major celebrities in fur coats.

 

[Valeria101]

Um..fashion serving?... by providing entertainment, of course. ... it must be compensating for some of the natural 'thrill' our species 'lost' along with all that wild nature, it's horrors and threats and all. Besides, it's easier to let a professional ease the task of competing with your neighbour ; it can waste lots of creativity better placed elsewhere. Sometimes I wonder if Darwin ever went to a fashion show


Farming mussels sounds just about as morally neutral as farming fox.

Wild fox pelt? Well, there's all those stories about natural pearls, Those don't come from massaging the critters' tummy to spit them out, do they? And there are waves and waves of tropical shells dredged up for the conch and melo (at least those are also food...) and collectibles. Good while they are still there. At least environmental monitoring these days can help predict when something goes bust (and therefore 'rare' - like a dead painter's oeuvre).

[spicy enough for you? ]

 

[J Marcus]

I can make one suggestion for making one's pearl products more green--a label attatched to them that states that a certain percentage of the sale price of these items is donated to combat Global Warming. Of course, one must follow through...

 

[GemGeek]

I can make one suggestion for making one's pearl products more green--a label attatched to them that states that a certain percentage of the sale price of these items is donated to combat Global Warming. Of course, one must follow through...

That is something to consider. Good idea! Actually, since we can't do much about farming conditions in China, a donation could serve as a sort of offset, like carbon offsets. Who to donate to....?

 

[J Marcus]

That is something to consider. Good idea! Actually, since we can't do much about farming conditions in China, a donation could serve as a sort of offset, like carbon offsets. Who to donate to....?

Ah Blaire--that is the question, isn't it? I'll do some looking, however, it would be nice if a number of us were working on such a search.

PS: Hey! How about Octavia?? She's got some free time, doesn't she?

 

[GemGeek]

Ah Blaire--that is the question, isn't it? I'll do some looking, however, it would be nice if a number of us were working on such a search.

PS: Hey! How about Octavia?? She's got some free time, doesn't she?

She told me to check with her personal assistant!