Fifi Bijoux Becomes UK Authorised Reseller for Ethical Diamond Brand
PRESS RELEASE 18th November 2011
For immediate release
Fifi Bijoux Becomes UK Authorised Reseller for Ethical Diamond Brand
Fifi Bijoux has been confirmed as the Official UK reseller for ethical diamond supplier Open Source Minerals.
Founded in 2008 by Diamond High Council Diamond Grader and Gemmologist, Mike Angenent, with head office in Maastricht, Open Source Minerals is the first diamondtaire to offer fully traceable diamonds; from 0.80mm melee through to stunning 10ct diamonds.
Open Source’s Diamonds are certified by the Jeweltree Foundation for social and environmental practices; from the mines right through to the polishing centers. As well as offering Canadian and Australian diamonds, Open Source Minerals also offers an inventory of ‘Fair Traded’ diamonds from the The Liqhobong Women Mining Cooperative in Lesotho. This was one of the first successful diamond mining cooperatives in Africa.
Mike Angenent explains:
Open Source Minerals started as a trading and sourcing platform for traceable and fair traded diamonds. There was a demand for traceable diamonds but very little companies who could supply, let alone guarantee the social and environmental practices associated with both the mining and the polishing.
With our focus on establishing a traceable supply chain we also acknowledged that guaranteeing and certifying the same was a different ball game and should be done independently.
That’s why we decided to help develop a certification scheme in cooperation with and under the flag of the Jeweltree Foundation, which I co-founded back in 2008.
There have been various NGO’s and companies such as International Peace Information Service, Capacity for Development and Top Consultancy involved in creating the audit requirements and standards. The whole scheme, which provides online track and trace for diamonds and jewellery, should be ISO proof within the next few years. Appointing a new chairman and stepping down from the board is the next step to the foundations independent certification.
Open Source’s main objective however is being able to source from mining cooperatives. In order to make this happen I want to focus more on sourcing for the next two years. Consequently this meant less focus on polished sales and possible logistic problems from my being remote. That is why we’re very happy with Fifi Bijoux as designated UK reseller for our products. Fifi Bijoux can place orders with the polishers and import directly so we are now not only able to continue our business but also to supply UK customers faster and with less overhead costs, making our diamonds competitively priced.
Fifi Bijoux launched in 2006 and since then has become a brand synonymous with best practice for sourcing fair, responsible and equitable precious minerals as well as for design flair.
Founder Vivien Johnston said
“Since setting up Fifi Bijoux I’ve been inundated with requests from other businesses for advice on sourcing ethical diamonds. A continued lack of transparency makes it difficult for jewellers to give consumers answers and reassurance on the provenance of their diamonds. I’ve been working with Open Source Minerals and The Jeweltree Foundation for some time now and the certification scheme processes and online tracking system has been very well received by our customers. Open Source also has a large and varied inventory, which means we can quickly access the diamonds available and price up jobs for bespoke orders. Fifi Bijoux and Open Source have built up a good trading relationship over the past few years and I’ delighted to be able to offer other businesses traceable, transparent and ethical diamonds”
Open Source Minerals® is a registered trademark used under license from Open Source Minerals ltd.
ENDS
For Further Information
http://www.opensourceminerals.com/Home.html
contact Mike Angenent mike@opensourceminerals.com or +31 627513324
www.fifibijoux.com
contact Vivien Johnston vivien@fifibijoux.com or 07789 224705.
