Welsh gold
Where does our Welsh gold come from?
Within each piece of Clogau jewellery is a touch of Welsh gold extracted from the Clogau St. David's mine in the Snowdonia town of Bontddu in North Wales, UK, during a few years of small scale mining by ourselves from 1995 to 1998.
Gold mining no longer takes place in Wales, making Welsh gold one of the rarest golds in the world. For this reason, we can only include a small amount of this exclusive gold in each piece. This allows our jewellery to be unique but also affordable, and ensuring the longevity of our supplies.
Where do you include the Welsh gold in your jewellery?
Ordinarily, the Welsh gold is included within the rose gold detailing of the piece (and is not the entire rose gold part, as sometimes assumed). In the items that do not contain rose gold, we incorporate it within the other gold featured in the piece.
Stamps and Hallmarks
Every piece of Clogau Gold jewellery is marked with the Welsh Dragon stamp which denotes that a touch of Welsh gold is contained within. The Clogau Gold stamp identifies the item as a genuine piece of Clogau Gold jewellery.
Manufacturing
Handcraftsmanship
Clogau Gold jewellery is handcrafted and hand-polished overseas. Originally, all Clogau Gold jewellery was manufactured in North Wales, but in 2005 the decision was made to move production in an attempt to fulfill customer demands for shorter manufacturing and delivery times, and to sustain the growth of the brand.
The result has meant that the costs to both customer and company are reduced, customers now receive their jewellery with 2 -3 working days (instead of several weeks) and that we can keep up with the demand for Clogau jewellery on the high street and, increasingly, internationally.
The majority of Clogau jewellery is made up of multiple components due to the addition of Welsh gold (usually in the rose gold detailing), thus complicating the manufacturing process. A team of dedicated employees are responsible for creating jewellery of the utmost beauty and quality.
Our Diamonds
The quality of Clogau Gold diamonds are typically:
• In silver items where the diamond is 0.49ct or under: SI1 (slightly included) clarity and G-H colour (near colourless)
• In gold items where the diamond is 0.49ct or under: VS2-SI1 (very slightly to slightly included) clarity and G-H colour (near colourless)
• Any diamond 50pts, or more, set in gold or silver: VS1 (very slight inclusions, not visible to the unaided eye) clarity and G-H colour (near colourless)
Clogau Gold classically uses either of two cuts: the classic brilliant cut which has been perfected to generate the maximum radiance possible and the most important cut of the modern era, the square princess cut.
Our Gold
Gold from the Clogau St David’s Mine, and other Welsh gold, has been mined in an ethically sound manner. Within the majority of our jewellery, however, Welsh gold is combined with World gold.
As members of the Responsible Jewellery Council, we are committed to completing the compulsory member certification against the Code of Practices and the voluntary Chain of Custody standard, which is currently under development. The RJC aims to improve the transparency of the full jewellery supply chain; from mine to retail.
Clogau Gold are currently making plans to offer customers a more ethically sound, Fairtrade & Fairmined Gold, option.
Quality Control
“A trusted technique, hand-in-hand with an organised approach to the supply chain ensures that product quality is consistently high and low fault rates are maintained.” Ben Roberts, Managing Director.
The quality of construction, finish and methods used are under constant review and improvement, and are written into the Service Level Agreement for suppliers. The agreement covers manufacturing requirements such as high quality alloys to be used in the anti-tarnish casting grain, German findings/clasps and chain sourced from the UK.
A stringent 7-stage quality-control process is in place:
1. Porosity check on cast “tree”
2. 1st stage component 1 surface finish check
3. 1st stage component 2 surface finish check
4. Solder/laser check & pre-polish
5. Final surface polish check
6. Construction & size check
7. Final check
Logistics
Clogau Gold are continuously striving to improve the logistical operations it undertakes. Recent developments have enabled International jewellery orders to travel on average 80% less distance to their destination, compared with the original journey.
Policies
The Kimberley Process
Clogau Gold operates a zero-tolerance diamond policy and insists on written assurance from each diamond supplier that the diamonds supplied have been sourced from conflict-free countries and conforms to the terms of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Set up by governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations, the KPCS aims to stop the trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ and ensure that diamond purchases do not fund violence.
Clogau Gold warrants that with regards to any product fabricated from rough diamonds mined from 01.01.2003 onwards, that the diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and are in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. We guarantee that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of our diamonds. For any product fabricated from rough diamonds mined prior to 01.01.2003, we warrant that conflict diamonds will not be knowingly sold and that, to the best of our ability, we will undertake reasonable measures to help prevent the sale of conflict diamonds in this country.
No-Nickel Policy
Clogau Gold declares that all carat gold items manufactured have no nickel content in adherence to the illegality of importing any product into the EU which releases 0.5 micrograms, or more, per square centimeter of nickel into the skin.
Memberships
Responsible Jewellery Council
“RJC Members are committed to promoting responsible, ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices throughout the industry in a transparent and accountable manner, from mine to retail. Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in jewellery products.” RJC
Clogau Gold is a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, an international, not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry.
In association with the RJC, we are continuously defining and implementing responsible jewellery practices throughout our diamond and gold jewellery supply chain in order to further establish the RJC’s vision of a ‘community of confidence.
The National Association of Goldsmiths
Since 1894, The National Association of Goldsmiths was established to serve and support the Jewellery Industry of Great Britain and Ireland. The Association promotes high professional standards among its membership to inspire consumer confidence and to enhance the reputation of its members.
The Association is committed to education and information in legal, technical, and human resource areas. Members must be committed to an honest and knowledgeable approach to their business and adhere to the Code of Practice.
British Jewellery Association
For nearly 125 years, this national trade association has promoted and protected the growth and prosperity of UK jewellery suppliers through a wide range of business support services.
Jewellery Distributors Association
The JDA is a non-profit-making trade body specialising in supporting the activities of those who wholesale, distribute, import and export precious and fashion jewellery. The JDA assist and advise Clogau on various aspects of business such as legislation.
Tax Free World Association
As a supplier of prestige products to the Duty Free and Travel Retail industry, Clogau benefits from a specialist recruitment service, industry research reports and news.
Institute of Direct Marketing
The IDM is internationally recognised as the leading professional body for the development of direct, data and digital marketing. An educational trust and registered charity, the IDM aids Clogau employees with lifelong learning and encourages business performance.
Institute of Directors
The IOD provides Clogau and its employees with business information, support and advice in order to raise standards at management level.
Investors in People
“Investors in People offers a business improvement tool designed to help all kinds of organisations develop performance through their people. Our tailored assessments are designed to support organisations in planning, implementing and evaluating effective strategies.” IIP
Clogau Gold uses the support of IIP to assist in increasing management capabilities, engaging employees and encouraging diversity and equality in the workplace. Clogau Gold actively invests in its employees in order for their full potential to be realised.
Certified employment law compliant by Ellis Whittam
Ellis Whittam provides business support services to UK employees with the main principal of exceptional quality. Services include HR & employment law, health & safety, training and recruitment.
Wales Quality Centre
The Wales Quality Centre is a not-for-profit, membership organisation helping organisations across all sectors of the Welsh economy to develop, improve and grow their business through training and advisory services.
With the help of WQC, Clogau Gold has been able to drive key business areas such as sustainability, creativity and new product development via a renewed focus on the need to promote innovation and business excellence.
Charitable Support
Hope House Children's Hospices
Clogau Gold has a long-standing relationship with local charity, Hope House Children’s Hospices (Ty Gobaith, in Conwy) who provide respite, terminal care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families. The hospices rely almost completely on charitable donations to support their £4m a year service cost.
Clogau Gold regularly fundraises for Hope House through annual fun runs, gala evenings and dedicated jewellery collections. We look forward to continuing our support towards this imperative charity, which is particularly close to our hearts.
Marie Curie Cancer Care
In 2009, Clogau Gold introduced a silver and rose gold Daffodil pendant into its collection in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care. 10% of sales of this pendant, and later a Daffodil stick pin, have since been donated to the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.
The 737 Challenge
Clogau Gold is high camp sponsor of the world-first 737 Challenge, in aid of Marie Curie, undertaken by ex-Wales international Rugby player Richard Parks and his team in 2010/2011. The 737 Challenge entailed a gripping 7 month expedition to climb the worlds 7 highest summits on each of the world’s continents and venture to all 3 poles – the North Pole, the South Pole and the summit of Everest.
Clogau Gold launched the exclusive 737 Challenge jewellery collection with 20% of all sales donated to the feat, and Marie Curie. The challenge was completed in a record-breaking 6 months, 11 days, 7 hours and 53 minutes. Read more about the 737 Challenge.