Sterns jewellery specials make jewellery more affordable in South Africa. SA is known for its gold and diamond trade, which has allowed it to produce some of the most beautiful jewels and precious metals in the world. Some of these are transformed by jewellery stores around the country into beautiful earrings, engagement rings and necklaces for men and women. The trade has come under some criticism because of the poor working conditions of mine workers and because of its environmental impact. Acid mine drainage affects a great deal of the Gauteng province’s water supply and is a danger to the natural ecosystem. But that is probably something you won’t see in their catalogue.
When you’re purchasing products in Sterns jewellery specials it is important to ask the designer or the store owner where the metals and gems were produced. The trade in illegal diamonds may seem like a thing of the past, but recently Zimbabwe has been associated with it. If consumers in South Africa don’t start asking jewelery stores where they have purchased their goods, it is unlikely that they will try to source them in a fair trade or environmentally friendly way. Of course beautiful engagement rings make most engagement special, but if you knew the actual cost of jewellery you might not be browsing through the catalog in so nonchalant a fashion.
The great thing about buying goods in South Africa is that most store owners know about their product. So when you visit jewellery stores it is likely that the owner will know whether the engagement rings you’re interested in have a high environmental impact or not. The fair trade and eco friendly concepts are slowly making their way into South African minds and hopefully they will soon be in the catalogue advertising Sterns jewellery specials.