Mining of any kind can have very serious consequences for the people that work in the mines and for the land that is destroyed during the mining process. Two-thirds of the world's gold production is from developing countries, where labor and fair treatment are rarely regulated and health care isn't an option. Irresponsible gold mining has been polluting land and water for decades and causes serious illness in workers and nearby populations who are exposed to toxic waste from the mining process. However, gold mining can bring considerable economic advantage to struggling countries.

Jewelers both big and small are beginning to pledge to make changes to be more socially and ecologically responsible. The Council for Responsible Jewelry Practices was created in 2005 by members of the industry to implement change. A few very well known companies are members, including Zales, Cartier, and Piaget. Another organization is the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), which has developed best practices guidelines for gem sourcing.

Many jewelers are making a commitment to sell only conflict-free diamonds and nondirty gold. Tiffany & Co. supports the Green Gold Program. It has pledged to sell only green gold and certified conflict-free diamonds. Tiffany deals exclusively with suppliers of conflict-free mining. Leber Jewelers sells only nonconflict, free trade, and nondirty gold items. It has the Earthwise Line, a whole line of jewelry devoted to this. The Signet Group (Kay and Sterling Jewelers) pledges to sell only nondirty gold.

Other companies are also moving in the right direction by pledging themselves to sustainable, eco-responsible, and fair-trade practices. Brilliant Earth sells high-quality jewelry made from conflict-free Canadian diamonds and renewed gold and platinum, and Cred Jewellery offers impressive jewelry and adheres to responsible social, ecological, and economic practices.