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Lake Pend Oreille in
Sandpoint, Idaho, could
become polluted by a
planned metal mine in
nearby Montana.
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Protecting and preserving the environment has always been a major Rings & Things mission. For this reason, we are in full support of a new effort under way – stopping pollution from precious-metal mines. In an effort led by Tiffany & Co., the jewelry industry has begun seeking raw materials only from socially and environmentally friendly mines, according to the Jewelers of America. A recent report by environmental groups showed mining to be the top toxic polluter in the United States, responsible for 96 percent of arsenic emissions and 76 percent of lead emissions.
The Dirty Metals campaign, as the effort has been dubbed, has been strongly focused on pollution problems in Rings & Things' neck of the woods: the Pacific Northwest. In March, Tiffany's called for the U.S. government to block construction of a copper-and-silver mine environmentalists fear would dump millions of gallons of wastewater per day into the Clark Fork River and subsequently Lake Pend Orielle, both in the Idaho Panhandle. Threatened wildlife species in the area, including bull trout and grizzly bears, are a great concern.
The company that would run the mine has a different story. Frank Duval, CEO of Spokane's Revett Silver Company, told USA Today there was no comparison between old, polluting mining practices and the modern methods his firm will use in Rock Creek Mine. He said the mine's wastewater will be cleaned before entering the Clark Fork River, and that the company will take precautions to protect the bear population. U.S. Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey also has said the proposed mine would follow strict controls to protect wildlife and waterways.
Conservationists additionally have attacked gold mining, which they call America's dirtiest industry. While the U.S. gold jewelry market is worth about $16 billion annually, they say one gold ring generates 20 tons of mine waste. The National Mining Association in Washington, D.C., has spoken out in defense. NMA President Jack Gerard told the Associated Press, "The U.S. gold mining industry is the world's most advanced, using modern technology and stringent environmental safeguards. Scare tactics, outdated and incorrect information should not be used to falsely characterize the fine efforts of these hardworking and knowledgeable men and women."
The feud between environmentalists and miners likely won't end in the foreseeable future. Luckily, some newer metal items are actually engineered to be enviro-friendly, allowing them to bypass this squabble. Art Clay Silver™ is a great example, as it contains recycled, pure silver. The silver is recovered from exposed photographic and diagnostic film in Japan! Rings & Things is proud to be a supplier of recycled products like ACS, and hopes the jewelry supplies industry continues endeavoring to keep the earth clean.
Read more about this topic:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4607954/
www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2004-04-18-tiffanys-montana_x.htm
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We always appreciate your feedback…. especially when it's high praise! We go out of our way to give our customers an easy and enjoyable supply-buying experience, no matter where they live. Here are some recent e-mails we've received from all over the globe.
U.S.A.
"I just wanted to let you know that I received my order this morning and I am beyond pleased, all the way to ecstatic! Not only was the site easy to use and the prices right, but the customer service was out of this world. Then I open up my package and find my supplies PLUS catalogs, helpful inserts and a Tootsie Roll! Wow, you've got me - if I lived in Washington I would apply for a job. :)"
– Heather Haws
CANADA
"I just received my second order from you up in Canada and I have to tell you I am soooo pleased with the service, the emails from your staff, and the products are always exactly what I expect."
– Patricia Whisken
UNITED KINGDOM
"I have just received an order from you and I just wanted to say that I couldn't be happier with my items. I was also given excellent customer service from a lady called Heidi, who was more than willing to help me with any questions I had. I will definitely order from you again!"
– Zoë Noble
SPAIN
"________ have a good inventory but are a nightmare to buy from as they insist on shipping everything by UPS which takes 4 weeks to get to me here and I have to pay a surcharge when the goods finally arrive. You guys, on the other hand are a dream to order from and I would love to be able to order my patterned silver from you."
– Steve Holden
EGYPT
"I just wanted to say how impressed I am at your service, catalogues and merchandise. I live in Egypt [where it is] almost impossible to find craft items. I was very happy with my order and the little things you included. I spent hours looking at the catalogues and making my wish list. Keep up the good work and thank you for shipping to Egypt. Many will not."
– Sharon Miller
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