Let's Get Ethical - Signing & supporting the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust's Ethical Making Pledge

Ethics in our industry is a hot topic, we work with some of the most precious resources on the planet, and with that comes a huge responsibility. 

But we all know that ethics is a minefield, and frankly also comes at a cost. Working in the jewellery industry, it can be challenging and time consuming to find the information and resources out there to help you make informed choices. From understanding the implications of packaging on the environment, to running a carbon neutral business, from knowing the origins of the materials we use to understanding the way in which communities and companies that mine the materials treat their workforce and environment, there is so much to understand. 

Now let's be honest, as independent jewellers we are all spinning a number of plates and time is one of our most precious resources. So we were really keen to hear more, when we were approached by the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust in the summer to ask us if we would join with other independent jewellery schools in supporting and signing their Ethical Making Pledge. 

We all met on Zoom initially, led by Karen Westland, Ethical Making Programme Manager, when had the opportunity to hear about the work behind and ahead of the Ethical Making Programme and to discuss our own thoughts, questions and approaches to ethical making. 

The work that has gone into the programme and the resources available on the accompanying website is incredible.  The resources are specifically designed to help educate and inform, and to signpost universities, colleges, schools and makers looking to make the right choices for them.  Education is at the heart of this and it is obvious that an incredible amount of work has gone into curating this invaluable resource. 

Our second meeting as a group was in the Scottish Goldsmith Trust offices in Leith, on a sunny afternoon in September. It felt great to get out and to meet face to face, and to be together to sign the Ethical Making Pledge. 

So what does this mean for us at Vanilla Ink Jewellery School CIC? Well, it could not really have come at a better time as we begin preparations for our professional development INKubator Programme. Our ethos is ‘Educate Inspire Empower’ and our programme is built on these foundations. Ethical making has always been part of our approach, but the 2023 Programme will have a Student Ambassador working with the Ethical Making Programme, and our INKers will have the opportunity to hear directly from Karen. 

Beyond the INKubator Programme, as a school and studios, we are committed to ensuring we lead by example and support our students and residents in making informed decisions in their practices. 

Look out for our Student Ambassador announcement, and more about how we put Ethical Making at the heart of our practices, in future issues of our newsletter.