The Ethical Making Pledge

The Ethical Making Pledge (EM Pledge) is a collaborative and community-based initiative for jewellery and silversmithing educational institutions to embed practical and theoretical learning about ethical making across the UK to prepare the next generation of makers.

Originally, the EM Pledge was developed by The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust and first signed in March 2018 by college department heads from all seven of the art colleges in Scotland offering jewellery courses at HND level and above. This signified the colleges’ commitment to implement ethical making practises into the curriculum, workshop practises and sourcing of materials. Since the launch of the Ethical Making Resource and EM Pledge, there has been an increasing awareness of ethical issues among students and makers in Scotland as more jewellers and silversmiths enter the trade with an ethical practice as their foundation. The Pledge also received a parliamentary motion of support from the Scottish Government in 2018.

Since 2022, The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust, in partnership with The Goldsmith’s Centre, have developed an ambitious plan to expand the EM Pledge across the UK and beyond higher educational institutions into institutions with non-accredited courses in the field. 

Image by Colin Hattersley

The EM Pledge has recently been under review to incorporate the aim to expand the Pledge across the UK, making it applicable to a broader range of institutions in the jewellery and silversmithing sector.

Educational Institution Pledge Signatories:

SCOTLAND

• City of Glasgow College

• Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design

• Edinburgh College of Art

• Fife College

• Glasgow Kelvin College

• The Glasgow School of Art

• Gray’s School of Art

• University of the Highlands & Islands: North, West and Hebrides

ENGLAND

• Central Saint Martins

• The Goldsmiths’ Centre

NORTHERN IRELAND

• Belfast School of Art, Ulster University

Independent Institutions Pledge Signatories:

SCOTLAND

• Central Scotland School of Jewellery

• Precious Metals Workshop

• SilverHub Jewellery School and Studios

• Vanilla Ink

ENGLAND

• Bishopsland Educational Trust

Images courtesy of City of Glasgow College & The Glasgow School of Art
RJM Scotland press photos by Colin Hattersley
The Goldsmiths’ Centre Pledge Signing photos by Julia Skupny

Student Ambassadors 2023-2024:

• Belfast School of Art: (paused)

• Bishopsland Educational Trust: Beca Fflur and Caitlin Murphy

• Central Saint Martins: Amy Grayson and Winoa Dodds-smith

• City of Glasgow College: Maria Robertson

• Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design: Angie Strachan and Charlotte Mann

• Edinburgh College of Art: Holly Munro and Poppy Miller

• Fife College: Jenni McGee and Jade Mcelwee 

• Glasgow Kelvin College: (paused)

• Gray’s School of Art: Dylan Cundall and Hannah Wooldrage

• Precious Metals Workshop: (paused)

• The Glasgow School of Art: Stella Busby and Tina Avery

• The Goldsmiths’ Centre: Krishnan Vara and Sascha North

• Scottish Central School of Jewellery: Gillian Lester and Kara Mackay

• SilverHub Jewellery School and Studios: Fiona Menzies and Mathrew Chan

• University of the Highlands & Islands: North, West and Hebrides: Teresa Bell

• Vanilla Ink: Amy Peoples and Isabella Bedlington

Images courtesy of Edinburgh College of Art and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design

Image by James Robertson

The Fair Luxury Pledge

For independent makers, jewellery companies and suppliers.

The Fair Luxury Pledge framework is designed to support you and your peers to take tangible steps towards a better business. It’s an opportunity to set a personal or business goal and to network with those that have shared aims, exchanging knowledge and ideas along the way. No matter your position in the industry or where you are on your ‘fair jewellery journey’, the Pledge scheme is here to offer motivation and a sense of community.