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.

Mugabe has announced this week that the sale of Zimbabwe diamonds will continue despite lacking KP certification.

Global mining giants Rio Tinto had announced in June that they would invest $300 million into expanding Zimbabwe’s diamond production , estimated to bring capacity to produce one quarter of the worlds diamonds.

It is hoped they will suspend the plans to expand until KC certification is reinstated and human rights atriocities have ceased.

Please click the link below to connect to the Professional Jeweller Article.

http://www.professionaljeweller.com/article-8090-zimbabwe-to-ignore-diamond-trade-ban/

Click on the link below  to be taken to Humans Rights Watch letter to jewellery retailers and see their campaign to stop Zimbabwe Blood Diamonds:

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/12/17/letter-select-major-diamond-retailers

Fifi Bijoux opposes the trade of diamonds to fund military activity or diamonds which are mined in a manner which we deem detrimental to the miners, the environment, immediate community or which  appears to jeopordize a countries stability and ability to trade transparently and peacefully. We have not and will not purchase diamonds from Zimbabwe until it is clear that human rights are being upheld and the conditions for diamond mining are in full compliance, not only with Kimberley Certification, but also with our strict code of practice for social responsibilty and environmental stewardship.

Fifi Bijoux currently sources diamonds from Lesotho, Canada, Australia and Sierra Leone. Each of the projects we work with have demonstrated exceptional levels of commitment to ethical practise and can be tracked from mine through to cutting and polishing, to ensure human rights are upheld throughout our supply chain.

We are currently working with 2 other diamond producers for future projects and it is our strict belief that the best method to prevent continued abuse of human rights in diamond mining is to boycott sources which do not comply and to promote transparency in the jewellery supply chain in order to make all relevant imformation available to consumers. Fifi Bijoux promotes positive ethics throughout our supply chain and favours Fair Trade standards and mining practices which actively benefit the local communities through equitable trade and respect for social and environmental best practice.

Swine flu, man flu, procrastinating patients, psychosomatic human monkey pox…

The NHS worker has never been under so much pressure.

Many of our clients are Doctors, Psychologists, Radiographers and Surgeons. (Which, we feel demonstrates that smart people appreciate Fifi Bijoux!).

This week, we had a brain storm to see how we could support our NHS clients. We decided to banish all Percy Pigs from the office, eat our 5 a day, invest in a water filter and have a yoga class once a week.

Our doctor clients applauded our efforts, but many still seemed a bit despondent. Poor NHS workers, they have the world on their shoulders some days.

So, we’ve signed up to NHS247; all NHS workers can now log on and receive a 10% discount in our shop.

 Fifi Bijoux Retail Therapy Services Include:

Putting the ‘fun’ into dysfunctional

 Hideous workloads, naughty children and a boss that should be ASBO’d? You need more fun. Try this on and see if you feel better:

Summer Bugs?

Take one of these:

Malingering Misdiagnosed Marriage-Phobia?

Relax. Take a deep breath. You can sign up to our specialist counselling service and we’ll help you find the perfect ethical wedding or ethical engagement ring.

*Fifi Bijoux may not have any medical training whatsoever, but we do make a very good cup of peppermint tea.

Lots of love,

Fifi B xxx