Jewelry Articles
Easing into green – From housewares to automobiles, industries that paid little mind to environmental issues in the past are now moving into greener pastures—and the jewelry industry is no exception.
Love and Sex: Inner Shine – The film Blood Diamonds helped spur media interest and public awareness about conflict diamonds. But the “ethical jewelry” movement extends beyond one region and one gem. It is concerned with all the factors, from the effect of mining on land to the conditions of the people who do that mining.
The True Meaning Of Heart – When we consider the notion of heart this Valentine’s day, it is easy, in our world where commodity is valued over humanity, to be too small in our hearts, falling into the illusion that our entire live is a cast like a shadow against a cave wall.
The Origins of the Birthstones and Their Impact on You – Those involved in earth-based spirituality have long believed in the power of rocks and crystals to influence or reveal one’s fate.
- The Myth and Lore of Garnet: January’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Amethyst: February’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Aquamarine: March’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Diamond: April’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Emerald: May’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Pearl: June’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Ruby: July’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Peridot : August’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Sapphire: September’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Opal: October’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Topaz: November’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Turquoise: December’s Birthstone
- The Myth and Lore of Lapis Lazuli: December’s Birthstone
Deciphering Celtic Knots in Celtic Jewelry – If you go to an average website that sells Celtic jewelry, you’ll typically find that the “meanings” of knot patterns are based more on marketing than universal truth. What you are not told is how the “meaning” is derived.
The Diamond Trade in 2007: How Much Blood Remains? If someone brings a pocket full of uncut diamonds to the back alleys of Mumbai, Antwerp or New York, they will find a way into the supply chain.
Crafting the Radically Transparent FRE Jewelry Sourcing System – Why and How We Formed Our Own Ethical Jewelry Sourcing Guidelines.
A 100 YEAR LAMENT – The macro history is simple. Colonial powers divided Africa, creating states. Resources were mined and exported. Tribal societies were fragmented in the march of progress toward the new world order….
About Fair Trade Jewelry – The notion of Fair Trade jewelry, particularly in the mainstream jewelry trade, is a relatively recent phenomena. This issue has gained prominence in the jewelry world partly as a result of the film, Blood Diamonds, released in December, 2006.
A Pilgrimage to Cambodia – The trip to Cambodia was quite moving. Everyone who showed us around had personal accounts of the Kamir…losing half their families. The stories were heart rendering.
Sri Lanka After The Tsunamia – after the tsunami of 2005, we traveled to Sri Lanka and helped with reconstruction.
Understanding the meaning of Celtic Knot work – the Universal Meaning of Celtic Knot work.
Read These Five Points Before Buying Your Celtic Wedding Ring!
Celtic Bracelets: Torques, Talismans, and Treasures – The idea of jewelry as a powerful object that contains and protects the energy of the wearer extends universally over time throughout many cultures.
The Celtic Cross – “Emerging in roughly the 5th Century CE, the Celtic cross is an enduring symbol marking both cultural identity and religious faith.”
Understanding Celtic Wedding Rings – A brief description of the origin and symbolism of Celtic Wedding Rings.
Celtic Wedding Rings: The Six Critical Points To Buying Them On The Internet– Six critical things to be aware of when purchasing your celtic wedding ring online.
Conflict-Free Diamonds – All our diamonds are conflict-free.
Newspaper & Other Articles
Not All that Glitters is Gold: Digging for Ethically Sourced Jewelry – Blood diamonds and dirty gold are notions gaining traction in the popular consciousness, and thanks to efforts by major retailers, jewelry producers and NGOs, fair and ethically traded jewels are coming to a store near you. Apr 2008
Making a Difference from Mine to Market – in a summit in Washington, jewelry retailers, miners and NGOs discuss what is means to source ethically. Jan 2008
Vanguards of Responsibility – Marc Choyt, co-owner of Reflective Images, talks about his company’s, eco-friendly initiatives in an interview with International Diamond Exchange (IDEX), a major jewelry trade magazine.
Jewelry Design Firm Switches to Fair Trade Suppliers – Reflective Images is recognized for their Fair Trade policy in the jewelry industry’s leading trade publication and website. JCK Online Mar 3, 2007
Making a Difference – Doing good for the world can do a world of good for business – Reflective Images and Fair Trade Jewelry. Modern Jeweler Jan 4, 2007
Paying well pays off for jewelry company Reflective Images: As Marc Choyt and Helen Chantler see it, giving employees good benefits isn’t just a nice thing to do: It’s good business. New Mexico Business Weekly Jan 7, 2005
Jewelry Business Prospers in Circle: “After nine years of operation, Choyt is proud that the company follows a circular design in which each employee in the 12-person company shares responsibility for its continued growth.” Albuquerque Journal Nov 30, 2004
Reflective Images Featured as a SCORE success story: “Put three people from SCORE together, and you have at least 100 years’ worth of experience in one room. It is a fantastic organization that provides an invaluable service to small businesses.” Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) Website
Press Releases
Reflective Images Says NO TO ALL DIRTY GOLD AND SILVER: “Silver and gold mining causes tons of toxic sludge and is often tied to human rights abuses,” said Marc Choyt, President of Reflective Images. “It is time to say No Dirty Gold and No Dirty Silver, creating ethical mine to market custody positively reflecting jewelry’s emotional value.” Starting in late August, 2008, all jewelry manufactured by Reflective Images will be fabricated with 100% recycled precious metal. September 2, 2008
Redesigned Jewelry Website Empowers Ethical Purchase Decisions : Reflective Images, a designer jewelry firm, announces the creation of the FRE Rating System on its redesigned website, www.celticjewelry.com. The FRE Rating System offers detailed insight into the supply chain, from the mine to the showroom, for all components of every finished piece of jewelry the company sells. . November 1, 2007
Designer Jewelry Company Commits To Offsets Its Carbon Emissions
May 8, 2007
Reflective Images Further Commits To Fair Trade Jewelry Feb 8, 2007
Reflective Images is Named a Superior Supplier by the OC Tanner Company for the Second Straight Year: OC Tanner, the world’s leading provider of employee gifts and incentives to businesses world wide, has named Reflective Images Inc. a “Superior Supplier” for the second straight year. Just three companies out of approximately 300 were given this award. June 9, 2006
Reflective Images Inc. Commits to Fair Trade Practices: Reflective Images, a designer jewelry company located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has committed to implementing Fair Trade practices. June 9, 2006
Reflective Images Inc Recognized As One of Santa Fe’s Top Five Businesses For Its Outstanding Product and Radical Business Model Based on the Circle: Reflective Images Inc, a designer jewelry company, is one of five Santa Fe companies honored for its outstanding product and business practices by the City Counsel and Mayor of Santa Fe. The company manufactures contemporary 18K gold over sterling jewelry based on contemporary interpretations of ancient European tribal motifs. June 9, 2006
Reflective Images is Accepted into the Premier Venue for Designer Jewelers: Reflective Images has been accepted into the Design Center at the JCK Show in Las Vegas. The Design Center is the premier venue for designer jewelers in the US market. It has only few open spots annually for hundreds of applicants. May 18, 2006
Reflective Images Open Their New Gallery At The Baca Street Art Walk: Reflective Images presents their latest , one of a kind jewelry designs by lead designer, Helen Chantler, in an opening at their new Baca Street gallery. Oct 20, 2005
Reflective Images is named a Superior Supplier: OC Tanner, the world’s leading provider of employee gifts and incentives to businesses world wide, has named Reflective Images Inc. a “Superior Supplier.” Just three companies out of over 300 were given this award for outstanding quality, customer service and timeliness. June 1, 2005
Reflective Images Introduces New Designs: Reflective Images is presenting over forty new 18K gold over sterling silver designs at the Buyer’s Market of American Craft in Philadelphia on February 18, 2004. Feb 7, 2005
Reflective Images Celebrates Nine Years of Growth: Reflective Images unique employee philosophy has been the key to nine straight years of double-digit growth.”We do everything we can to support our employees so they can do excellent work, including treating them generously. Jan 31, 2005
