Earlier this year, Fernando was invited to visit the Ity Mine in Côte d’Ivoire, one of only two mines producing Single Mine Origin gold globally. Fernando Jorge has been using SMO gold in his jewellery designs since 2020 and is the first jeweller to receive this invitation.

In mining, core is a cylindrical sample of rock drilled from below the surface of the earth, brought up for exploration and sampling. This is the first way that gold comes out of the ground.

During his visit, jewellery made with Ity Mine gold was photographed on the core trays, and on remarkable women from the local communities. The finished jewels travelled full circle, back to the source.

Established in 208, Single Mine Origin gold is a new global standard that guarantees it to be responsibly sourced and fully traceable to a single mine. A unique feat in the market, the gold remains segregated throughout the refining and manufacturing process.

Complying with rigorous and independently audited international standards, the Ity Mine has received the Ivorian Mining Excellence Award for its array of environmental, social  and governance initiatives.

SMO is currently working to identify other mines that operate as such, including in Brazil. This is an encouraging beginning to a very long road ahead.