About Us
Our goal is to simplify the process of purchasing Fairmined certified gold and silver products. Currently, Fairmined gold sellers typically require high minimum order quantities (MOQs), and the purchasing process is not streamlined on user-friendly websites.
We decided to launch this online platform to solve this problem and eliminate the high MOQ requirement, while offering competitive conditions for jewelers and electronics manufacturers who want to use Fairmined certified products.
Along the way, we have gained a lot of experience in manufacturing complex Fairmined certified products for our customers around the world, such as our gold potassium cyanide. We have modern technology from around the world to guarantee the best quality in our products. We have plenty of experience in logistics and international trade, with happy customers in the United States,United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapur and South Africa.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make Fairmined products accessible to everyone who wants to offer sustainable and responsible jewelry and electronics backed by proven origin, rigorous production standards, and a fully traceable inventory system.
Our Story
Revolutionizing the Jewelry Market with Fairmined Certified Gold
Establishing a business venture with college friends often paves the way for exciting and ambitious endeavors. This was certainly the case for Andres, Luis, and Daniel, whose friendship since 2005 not only forged a strong bond but also ignited their collective passion for creating positive change in the precious metals industry. Their remarkable journey began with a mission to revolutionize the jewelry market through their company, Alloy (Fairalloy), by introducing Fairmined-certified gold.
Gaining Experience and Identifying Opportunities
In pursuit of gaining experience and identifying opportunities, Andres invited Luis and Daniel to intern at his family’s precious metals refinery in Bogota, Colombia. Their first project involved recycling spent autocatalysts containing precious platinum group metals. While this venture provided invaluable experience, unforeseen market fluctuations, particularly a significant drop in the price of rhodium, made the project unfeasible.
Undeterred by the setback, the team shifted their focus to another endeavor—the implementation of the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) certification. However, they soon discovered an untapped local market for pure gold, primarily composed of multiple jewelry shops with small orders.
Alloy’s Inception and the Pursuit of Ethical Gold
In 2014, driven by a desire for independence and a shared vision, Andres, Luis, and Daniel established Alloy. They recognized that local jewelers sought gold that was free from associations with pawn shops (recycled gold), as the uncertainty surrounding the origin of such gold raised concerns about stolen items in their supply chains. To address this, Alloy made a commitment to incorporate only 100% mined gold into its supply chain.
Extensive research led the team to two initiatives: Oro Verde and Fairmined, both of which supported ethical mining practices. Alloy contacted Fairmined and began uncovering the remarkable work done by the organization. However, persuading local jewelers of the benefits of using Fairmined certified gold proved to be a challenging task initially.
Over the years, Alloy has significantly invested in acquiring specialized machinery from Europe and collaborating with technical consultants from Germany, the UK, Italy, and the United States. These partnerships and technological advancements have been instrumental in ensuring Alloy’s plant operates with the best machinery and processes available, guaranteeing the highest quality and finishes for their Fairmined-certified products.
Exploring International Markets, Developing Fairmined Products
Realizing the potential of international markets, Alloy sought to expand beyond their local clientele. However, export controls introduced by the Colombian government in 2015 posed significant obstacles, making it prohibitively expensive to export small quantities of gold overseas. The team made extensive efforts to reduce the minimum order quantity (MOQ) from 500 grams to 100 grams, but further improvements were necessary.
At Alloy, our brand story is intricately woven with the remarkable journey of manufacturing gold potassium cyanide. We proudly stand as the sole brand that guarantees complete traceability, starting from Fairmined mines all the way to our finished product.
In 2019, during a fortuitous conversation with our Account Manager from the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), we made the decision to reactivate our gold potassium cyanide production plant. Recognizing the complex and specialized nature of the manufacturing process for this chemical compound, we forged a strategic partnership with a distinguished UK gold plating company. This company specializes in the numismatic industry and offers gold vermeil plating services, they were specifically seeking our chemical compound produced with 100% traceable Fairmined certified gold. Our commitment to transparency and responsible mining practices has driven us to acquire unmatched expertise, positioning us as the exclusive brand capable of delivering complete traceability from the source. By ensuring that our gold potassium cyanide is sourced exclusively from Fairmined mines, we prioritize ethical practices and empower local communities. The intricate process of manufacturing gold potassium cyanide demands meticulous precision and adherence to strict safety protocols. Equipped with specialized machinery in electrochemistry, such as reactors and crystallization systems, and bolstered by our comprehensive knowledge of chemical reactions, we maintain the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
At Alloy, we take immense pride in our pioneering role, which enables us to provide industries with a product of unparalleled quality. Our brand story epitomizes dedication, resourcefulness, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. By guaranteeing complete traceability from Fairmined mines, we offer our customers the assurance of responsible sourcing and contribute to a better future for all.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Shifting Business Strategy
As the world grappled with the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alloy faced a steep decline in sales, resulting in difficult decisions. Despite the setbacks, the team utilized the lockdown period to reevaluate their business strategy. They decided to transition entirely to Fairmined certified gold and incorporate Fairmined gold and silver products such as gold potassium cyanide,gold alloys, sheet, and wire.
The Birth of Fairalloy: A Pioneering E-Commerce Platform
In order to make Fairmined-certified products accessible to a global audience, Alloy encountered the hurdle of offering low minimum order quantities while maintaining competitive prices. Their answer emerged as Fairalloy, an e-commerce platform exclusively dedicated to the sale of Fairmined-certified products. Fairalloy seeks to empower jewelers and electronics manufacturers in making conscientious choices when it comes to jewelry production.
Andres, Luis, and Daniel have embarked on a remarkable journey in the field of precious metals, showcasing unwavering dedication to ethical practices. Their commitment to making significant improvements in the lives of small miners is at the heart of their mission. From recycling spent autocatalysts to creating the first gold potassium cyanide chemical that is 100% Fairmined certified, they are setting new standards for responsible gold sourcing. Fairalloy, their e-commerce platform exclusively offering Fairmined-certified gold products, aims not only to revolutionize the gold supplier market but also actively works to empower small miners and improve their livelihoods. Through collaborative efforts and fair compensation, they are making a tangible difference, inspiring others to embrace ethical sourcing and production methods, and fostering positive social and environmental impact.
Through international technical collaborations and investments in specialized machinery, Alloy has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to quality, precision, and ethical practices in the precious metals industry. By incorporating the best machinery and processes available, Alloy aims to ensure that its Fairmined certified products meet and exceed its customers’ expectations while contributing to responsible and sustainable practices in the industry.