Major Jewelry Retailers Join ‘No Dirty Gold’ Campaign

An organization that condemns irresponsible gold mining has elicited the support of three major jewelry retailers, Sears, Ultra and Blue Nile, in its campaign for sustainability.

The No Dirty Gold campaign maintains that each jeweler which pledges its support must adhere to a list of Golden Rules for responsible sourcing of precious metals. The rules include measures that protect human rights, workers' right and environmental conditions associated with the production of gold.

Sears, Ultra and Blue Nile have joined a list of 57 other jewelers, including J.C. Penny, Tiffany and Co. and Wal-Mart, in supporting the No Dirty Gold campaign.

"Sears strives to be a green company and we will continue to work to build lifetime relationships with our customers starting from the mines up," said Michelle Pearlman, senior vice president and president of jewelry at Sears Holdings.

No Dirty Gold has highlighted the devastating effect of irresponsible gold mining on communities and the environment.

Currently, two-thirds of newly-mined gold is taken from open pit mines. The mines are created by mining companies that blast fissures in the earth rather than construct and maintain underground mines. These pits generate waste, sometimes producing enormous piles of lead, arsenic or mercury, which are highly toxic to both humans and the environment.