MD OF JEWELARC, MATTHEW TRIGLONE ON WHY SMO GOLD IS THE ONLY ANSWER
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ADOPT SMO GOLD?
The short answer is, we wanted to know where our gold comes from. For a long time, we have tried to get as close as possible to the source of our materials and understand what impact their procurement had on the people and environment from which they came.
Knowing that their gold is sourced and managed in a controlled environment, then made available to the consumer in an unambiguous and auditable way, SMO became the obvious choice.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES SMO GOLD OFFER YOU AND THE BRANDS THAT YOU WORK WITH?
By using SMO, you eliminate risk for your resellers and offer them an opportunity to market the unique idea of traceability and accountability for every jewellery item purchased at retail. For us, it was a dream opportunity. The brands that have adopted SMO Gold are able to present themselves as unique. They are usually ‘ESG front foot-forward’.
Many brands still do not think about where their gold comes from. For those that now do, they could not go back. SMO Gold is a future solution, without risk. Furthermore, having a QR code which identifies the source and batch your gold came from, inextricably linked to all of the data surrounding the source mine is powerful information for a growing number of consumers.
HOW IS SMO GOLD CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY?
The jewellery industry is slowly catching on to SMO Gold. SMO Gold is showing that mining is important, that the surrounding communities can and deserve to benefit from mining. They are also proving, via their choice of miners, that mines can run on 100% renewable energy.
The jewellery buying community has been sold a lie that all recycled gold is better than mined gold. This is simply not true. The full story surrounding recycled gold is not being told. SMO Gold may well be a turning point. It has heightened the discussion of mined versus recycled gold, and it has identified benchmarks for other miners to change the way they operate.
On a monthly basis, we are seeing more discussion in the industry regarding the term "recycled", with associations and regulators laying down new definitions. These discussions are a long way from the consumers. Large scale manufacturers and resellers will need to change the way they sell or define their products and over time, so consumers will have a more accurate path they can follow.
HOW HAS SMO GOLD SUPPORTED YOUR ESG [ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE] COMMITMENTS?
SMO Gold fits very well into our ESGs. Using it exclusively gives us very straight-forward reporting to offer our auditors. From a holistic point of view, SMO Gold fits 100% with our company DNA. We are, and always have been, active in looking at the best environmental, ethical and community forward supply chain options.
Our compound is 100% single-use-plastic-free, we ship all goods into 100% home-compostable packaging, and our people are a community, not a workforce. Our systems are designed to reduce and manage waste, water and power. It is our constant quest.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS OR BRANDS CONSIDERING SMO GOLD?
Get on board. SMO Gold offers a no-risk option when buying gold. Recycled gold of unknown provenance provides an exposure to an industry that potentially supports highly sophisticated criminal networks, laundering gold. Investors do not like risk, so if you are looking for investors or want to invest, SMO gold offers a solution.
Achieving ESGs is simplified using SMO gold. To grow your business, there will be increased pressure to have your ESGs in place. It also provides unique marketing opportunities. What are the real features, advantages and benefits (FABs) of your product? In an industry where sales are flatlining, what can you do to change things up and move the industry to a better place? SMO Gold is a start.
