From a recent ASJRA newsletter:
It is purported that to create one 18k gold ring results in:
- 20 tons of mine waste
- another 250 tons of mine waste for a 1ct. diamond
- cyanide to separate the gold from the ore
- smelting to remove gold impurities (Smelters release upwards of 140 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere annually.)
Thanks to Elise Winters for the info.
Harriet Russell ,
Add human rights abuses to the massive water, soil, and air contamination.
I’ve always been conflicted about the impact of what I do. Lately it’s been related to polymer clay, as well as metals and gemstones.
I’m not prepared to live in a hole in the ground eating only raw, wild food, however. I can only hope my use of the materials is worthy of whatever debt I may incur; I try to be respectful of them, and dispose of anything hazardous properly. I also contribute what I can to environmental and human rights organizations … and talk, talk, talk!
Thanks for the reminder.
…Harriet
Disbrain’s color and our craft’s generosity at Polymer Clay Daily ,
[…] our recent conversations about the perils of gold and diamonds, we’re inching closer to making bolder statements about our medium. The deviant art crowd […]