What Is SMO Gold?
SMO stands for Single Mine Origin. This innovative and robust accreditation provides clear, audited and traceable provenance. An unbroken chain of custody for gold, directly from a specific, ESG-transparent, and ethically run mine through every stage of the supply chain, right to the creation of your finished piece of jewellery. Unlike traditional gold sourcing models, where gold from various mines can be co-mingled, every single gram of SMO gold is rigorously segregated.
Its journey is meticulously documented and independently audited. This stringent process ensures unparalleled transparency, providing you with complete confidence in the precise origin of the gold in your product. Here at Weston Beamor, we proudly offer SMO gold for your jewellery, and can mark pieces with the SMO hallmark at assay as a stamp of excellence.
SMO Gold
why use it?
provide your customers with complete clarity on the origin of their jewellery
meet your ESG goals with fully traceable gold options
tell a meaningful story of provenance in every piece you sell
Why Is SMO Gold Important?
The journey of gold from the earth through jewellery manufacturing and onto finished products can have profound and wide-ranging impacts on both the environment and the communities where it is mined. Traditional mining practices can, in some instances, lead to environmental degradation; however, if done mindfully, they can be a force for good. Well-managed mines can revive communities, create employment opportunities, and generate local investment.
Choosing an option like SMO gold is a tangible way to support mining practices that are committed to mitigating these potential negative impacts. SMO-accredited mines adhere to rigorous standards that address key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.
By opting for SMO gold, you are helping to promote responsible stewardship of the environment, contribute to safer working conditions for miners, and support initiatives that benefit local communities. This commitment to responsible sourcing is underscored by adherence to frameworks such as the Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs), which set out clear expectations for what constitutes responsible gold mining across a range of criteria.
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Our SMO Gold Partner - Ity Mine
Weston Beamor offers SMO gold sourced from the Ity Mine, located in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. With a history stretching back to its opening in 1991, Ity Mine has been a significant gold producer for decades with an impressive record of 1.4 million ounces of gold produced to date. More importantly, Ity Mine operates with a strong commitment to responsible practices and proudly adheres to the Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs), demonstrating a commitment to a framework that addresses a broad spectrum of environmental and social considerations.
It is this strong ethical standard that makes us so proud to source from Ity Mine to produce gold jewellery that looks good, feels good, and does good.
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Why Ity Mine?
Ity Mine holds the distinction of being one of the first mines to ever achieve SMO accreditation. This accreditation is a testament to their adherence to both stringent international standards for responsible gold production and their ability to maintain a fully segregated and traceable supply chain from the moment the gold is extracted through to its refinement and sale. This means that the SMO gold we receive from Ity Mine is guaranteed to have followed a transparent and audited path - from its mining in West Africa to our casting workshops and jewellery production facility in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
In Focus - How SMO Gold Has an Impact
Beyond economic contributions, Ity Mine is deeply invested in community development. Their support for initiatives such as the "Cassava Co-operative" has empowered local communities, generating substantial weekly profits and facilitating crucial market access for local farmers, with a notable majority (80%) being women. This focus on community-led projects helps to build sustainable livelihoods and foster economic independence.
Environmentally, the mine has demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation and conservation, participating in significant reforestation efforts, including a nationwide caravan that reforested 40 hectares in the classified Krozialé forest near the mine. They have also invested substantial resources (20 million FCFA) in programmes aimed at protecting local biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of community stakeholders engaged in environmental monitoring.
Safety is paramount at Ity Mine, evidenced by their outstanding safety record in 2023 with zero fatalities and the implementation of robust safety measures, alongside numerous safety events and campaigns designed to reinforce their zero-harm commitment and enhance safety awareness among their workforce.
When choosing SMO Gold castings from Weston Beamor, you are doing far more than just selecting beautiful, traceable metal for your jewellery - you’re endorsing safe, sustainable and fair mining practices. This is jewellery you can be proud of.
Choose With Confidence: Begin Your Jewellery Journey Today
At Weston Beamor, we are dedicated to providing you with choices that matter. Whether you prioritise the complete traceability of SMO gold from a responsible source like Ity Mine, or the reduced environmental impact of recycled gold, we are here to help you make the most informed decision. Our team is here to support your choice of alloy - from raw castings to finished product - we’re here to help.
Ready to produce jewellery with gold that you and your customers can feel good about?
Contact Weston Beamor today to discuss SMO gold options and start creating jewellery that looks good and does good.
Weston Beamor has been casting precious metals since 1947. Working with a broad spectrum of customers for nearly 80 years has made Weston Beamor one of the most respected and trusted names in the jewellery industry.
