There is a consumer campaign under way, led by Earthworks and Oxfam America, called "No Dirty Gold" which seeks to change, through public awareness and consumer action, what they call the dirtiest industry operating in the U.S. and in many parts of the world: the gold mining industry. Eighty percent of gold production goes into jewelry. It might suprise brides to know that the production of one gold wedding ring generates 20 tons of mine waste, or that thousands of families around the world have been displaced from their homes to make way for gold mining operations.

Just as a bride will choose the best food for her reception, she should also know where she can buy the best gold- that is, gold that comes from a mine that doesn't endanger the environment, respects worker's rights, and minimizes dangerous health risks for miners.

This campaign is not a boycott, but rather an opportunity for brides to make a difference in the lives of other women around the globe by the choices they make. We encourage brides to let their jeweler know that they would like to purchase jewelry produced using socially and environmentally responsible methods. Brides and grooms can visit www.nodirtygold.org to download a card to leave at jewelry stores to indicate their interest in alternatives to dirty gold.

For the moment, vintage jewelry and recycled gold are the only options out there for the socially-conscious consumer. But, thanks to the No Dirty Gold campaign, more and more jewelers are becoming conscious of the high price production of jewelry has on the health and human rights of the people living near industrial-sized mining operations in the U.S. and worldwide, and want to provide alternatives to their customers.

www.nodirtygold.org