For Chopard, adopting sustainable practices and ethical sourcing of raw materials have been among its primary goals and for all the right reasons. Having achieved a 100 percent ethical gold supply chain since 2018 as a part of its journey to sustainable luxury, the watch and jewelry Maison has now announced that it’ll be sourcing gold from the Barequeros, artisanal miners in El Choco, Colombia.

In conjunction with the Swiss Better Gold Association, Chopard will extend support to gold mining communities in El Choco, in training practices, social welfare and environmental support for all its watch and jewelry creations. By working with the Barequeros, the Maison is directly supporting one of Colombia’s poorest regions, which is also the second largest in gold production. 46 percent of the gold miners are women, who use local traditional alluvial mining methods, using hand equipment such as sluicing and panning.

The Barequeros’ biodiversity is one of the most unique in the world, and in order to maintain the region in its pristine natural habitat, none of the gold sourcing methods will involve the harmful use of mercury. This program allows complete transparency in gold supply chain tracing and is also part of a broader program, supported by the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the SBGA to foster responsible and small-scale gold miners.

Along with Paola Cordoba, a Barequera from Istmina, El Choco, five hundred Barequeros have received support from this thoughtful initiative. “In my town, the majority of inhabitants are artisanal miners and most of us are women,” says Paola.

“Mining in El Chocó is the biggest source of work. It serves for our daily subsistence for the education of our children, buys our clothes and above all, it allows us to be free. I’m so proud to be part of this responsible gold project that recognizes the work of artisanal mining and thank those buying our gold.” Bravo, Chopard.