He is recognized for his contributions to fair trade in the U.K., East Africa, and Colombia

Jewelry is worn to beautify. There is no beauty in exploitation. —Greg Valerio

 

The radiance of the tulip setting allows light to refract beautifully throughout this ring. A balanced tapered daylight court setting enables the 1/2 carat of diamonds to show off their natural beauty. A joy to wear and a joy to behold. Set in certified Fairtrade 18ct white, yellow or rose gold.

Greg Valerio has been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), an honor bestowed by the Queen of England.

He is recognized “for services to the U.K. and fair trade gold sectors in Colombia and East Africa,” according to the official release.

Valerio founded Cred Jewellery, the first company n the U.K. and Europe to sell fair trade gold and platinum jewelry. He sold the business in 2010 to focus on campaigning for fair trade and transparency in the jewelry industry.

“In agreeing to accept this award, I do so in the knowledge that there is a long list of people, too many to mention here, whom I am greatly indebted to,” Valerio wrote in a statement.

“Jewelry and justice are not incompatible and lost to each other,” he said. “The great challenge we now face is to forge a new luxury jewelry narrative that connects the aspirational emotion of the purchase with the dignity of the source. This is true luxury jewelry, a legacy of peace, justice and prosperity for the communities at the source and a continued celebration of design, creativity and love in the gift that is given.”

 

This Trinity engagement ring is set with a emerald cut centre and round cut outer traceable diamonds. The tapered daylight shoulder and Fairtrade 18ct Gold court band is designed to maximise the natural beauty of the stones with a comfortable fit. Available in white, yellow and rose gold. Total carat weight 0.55pts.

Valerio Jewellery ethically sourced emerald and diamond cluster engagement ring. The vivacious colour of this Brazilian stone is a treasure to delight over.  The tapered daylight shoulder shank is available in 18ct. Fairtrade yellow, white and rose gold. This 0.75 ct. centre stone can be changed to match the birth stone of the wearer.

Oval blue sapphire and diamond cluster engagement ring. This exceptionally cut blue sapphire is surrounded by traceable conflict free diamonds. The tapered daylight shoulder shank is available in 18ct. Fairtrade yellow, white or rose gold.

This diamond solitaire engagement ring is pure simplicity with a twist. Set in certified 18ct Fairtrade white, yellow or rose gold, the beautifully proportioned princess cut diamond sits on the diamond aspect in a sweeping organic four claw setting.  

From Greg Valerio’s very early jewelry steps in India, Ethiopia and Tanzania, he has always been deeply moved to see the raw talent and craftsmanship that the hands and heart of humanity pours into its adornment. Greg Valerio loves creativity, design and natural beauty and nothing blends the best of the earths treasures with human creativity, than the art and craft of jewelry. Valerio Jewellery is his latest attempt to continue the adventure in discovering the simple beauty of jewelry.

Greg Valerio has been so fortunate over the years to work with some of the most inspirational people in the business. From the jungles of Colombia, where he was introduced to the art of ecological chemical free alluvial gold mining, the ruby mountains of Greenland’s arctic wilderness, to the high deserts of southern Peru and my beloved Africa where men and women have sweated hope in the desire to become Africa’s first certified Fairtrade Gold miners. These wonderful people are my inspiration and the inspiration behind Valerio Jewellery.

Greg Valerio’s desire is to use my new jewelry brand to celebrate the diversity of life, the grandeur of creation’s natural minerals and to work towards a jewelry profession that is pure in heart. He cannot ignore that my trade is far from clean, honest or integrous. Our supply chain is rife with human rights abuses, environmental devastation, racism, political corruption and conflict. Change cannot happen if we santise truth with clever marketing, He must be honest and strive with willing and good hearted people to be the change. This is not easy, but if my original work in catalyzing and calling for Fairtrade Gold has taught me anything, it has taught me that everything is possible if you can dream of a better way.

Valerio Jewellery is about hope and relational integrity. Hope for those who anoint our materials with the sweat of their muscles and integrity for my customers and supporters who buy a piece of Valerio Jewellery. The jewel they are buying has come from the hands of communities who have not been exploited and have received a decent and fair price for their work.