The Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or Trophy trophy crafted by Chopard acquires a lasting ethical radiance with ‘Fairmined’ certified gold
Chopard and the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or Trophy, two names synonymous with the highest quality. When they both come together you can be assured of something of the highest quality, and this long-term collaboration results in one of the most prominent awards in the film industry, the Palme d’Or. The aforementioned trophy is the festivals highest accolade and has been awarded for almost sixty years to the best film at the festival and for 15 years it has been meticuously crafted by Chopard the luxury Swiss watch and jewellery brand. This time, the crafting of the trophy will be different as for the first time ever it will be made with ‘Fairmined’ certified gold to help promote sustainability within the luxury industry. We at Luxurious Magazine thoroughly approve of Chopard’s efforts to lead from the front, when you are one of the big name brands as they are, making statements like this is not easy especially when parts of the industry completely fail to grasp the the point of ethical manufacturing. Hopefully many more luxury brands will follow their example, we just hope that those that decide to don’t use it as an excuse to increase prices.
Chopard’s Journey to Sustainable Luxury
For several years now, Chopard has been demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, indeed placing it at the very core of its fundamental values. A certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), a leading environmental, social and ethical standard setting organisation, Chopard has created together with Livia Firth, founder and creative director of Eco-Age, a programme named The Journey to Sustainable Luxury. First launched in May 2013 at the 66th Cannes Festival, this major project is expressed through concrete actions taken by the Swiss watchmaker-jeweller such as committing to source materials from suppliers openly displaying responsible social and environmental practices.
These practices have given rise to new Haute Joaillerie creations grouped within the Green Carpet Collection. At the latest Golden Globes ceremony, Cate Blanchett, who won the Best Actress Award, wore diamond earrings from this collection. Other emblematic creations are gradually emerging, such as the L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined watch, the first watch in the world made of ‘Fairmined’ gold recently unveiled at the Baselworld watch and jewellery show.
What is ‘Fairmined’ gold?
“Fairmined” gold is ethical gold extracted by artisanal and small-scale miners certified under the “Fairmined” standard created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). This label guarantees strict respect for the rules of economic, social and environmental development in the mining process. By forging a unique partnership with ARM, in May 2013, Chopard became the first luxury watch and jewellery company to support and enable mining communities to reach Fairmined certification. This certification will provide a stable route to market and a fair deal for the miners and their communities when selling their gold. Through its work, Chopard will ensure that these workers a no longer marginalized but recognised as key members of the supply chain.