I like to define The MeriTomasa's Treasures Factory as a small, responsible and local artisan jeweler. Lately the tag #slowjewelry has become very fashionable to define it: jewelry with an ethical sense, made with respect for people and to the environment. And I like to insist that this is not just a slogan and a lot of verbiage: it is a commitment that is put into practice every day. To begin with, choosing my suppliers.

To produce responsible and local jewelry, the first thing to do is work with suppliers that are also responsible and local.

Easy to say but not easy to do. We live in a world where the big ones eat the little ones. Amazon arrives and the small neighborhood stores close. And in the world of jewelry the same thing happens. I know it well because before I used to buy in an "Amazon" jewelry store in Barcelona. I bought their gold and silver and trimmings and chains and a thousand and one other things. More than once I felt treated in a not very personalized way, as if I were just another number. I was. A tiny fish buying in a very big one. I also felt that buying in that "Amazon" of jewelry did not add any value to my jewelry, quite the opposite. That's why I decided to make a radical change and stop buying there.

Now I buy from suppliers who share in one way or another my commitment to #slow jewelry. Because they are small local businesses, because they are ethically oriented, because they treat me as a person and not as a number, or for everything at the same time. Buying from many here and there is much more laborious than finding an "Amazon" jewelry store and buying everything in one place, but, as they say, the change you want to see in the world starts with changing yourself. Be the change you want to see in the world :-)

The MeriTomasa's Treasures Factory is a small, local, responsible artisanal jewelry store, and that is much more than just a marketing slogan and mere words. For example, I apply it by choosing my suppliers. I buy the gold and silver with which I make my jewelry from ethical and/or local suppliers. And also gems, trimmings, chains, threads and cords, tools and machinery or packaging. Every time I make a treasure in my workshop, I also try to help create a better world.

I am aware that I have not discovered the wheel. It is a reality that European society is waking up and becoming aware that we must take care of our planet. The slow fashion concept is beginning to gain strength. Many brands are changing their production processes to create higher quality products, with more durability, and to manufacture in more ethical conditions. Reusing, recycling and being more sustainable is becoming a life motive.

Around 2019 I saw an exhibition by the group Origen and you could say I felt the call. Here began the path in my workshop. Not easy. I'm still in it. But walking makes the way has been the formula that has taken me to where I am, personally and professionally. In 2020, the pandemic was for me a new awareness of the world around us and the mark we leave on it. Here I also clicked on a personal level: consume more of quality and less on impulse, reuse as much as possible and recycle as much as possible. Professionally, almost three years have passed and today I have created a new and better network of suppliers and I want to publish them here to encourage more jewelers to follow this path.

One of my first and biggest steps was getting certified as a Fairmined brand. In other words, a percentage of the gold and precious metals with which I make my treasures are obtained through artisanal and small-scale mining, with ethical practices.

One of the first big steps I took was to become a Fairmined licensed trademark (MeriTomasa: Fairmined ID:ES30025), in March 2020. Fairmined is a quality seal that certifies that the gold and precious metals with which I make my jewelry come from artisanal and small-scale mining that develops ethical practices. In my case, I use the built-in fairmined model, which means that not all the metal I use is Fairmined, but part of it is. Every year I introduce a percentage of fairmined gold (of which I am proud) to my production chain.

With the directory of providers that I publish in this post I want to be transparent and make a list of all my providers, some of them from a long time ago and others that are new but that I have validated in recent years. I'm super happy because I eliminated the big wholesaler (the "Amazon" of Barcelona jewelry), especially because I didn't feel consistent buying there. I want to buy from companies that are happy to sell to me, that take care of the personal treatment as I do with my clients and that make me feel proud to spend money on them and shout from the rooftops who they are. Many are small companies, some with a long tradition, as close as possible and with a fair quality/price ratio.

In addition to choosing ethical suppliers, I want to tell you who they are. I publish this directory to invite you to bet on a jewelry that builds a better world, whether you make jewelry and this list can help you find a good supplier or if you are a potential client who wants to buy their jewelry with added value in small artisan jewelry stores like The MeriTomasa's Treasures Factory.

With this list I not only want to offer more traceability to my products, but I also hope to encourage many more jewelers to change suppliers and be happier betting on a more ethical jewellery. And you, do you know any interesting supplier that does not appear in my directory? I invite you to write me a comment and I promise to study all the suggestions and add the ones that seem interesting to my list. Thanks in advance!

Directory of responsible jewelery suppliers (in Barcelona or as close as possible)

Gold and silver: fine metal, sterling metal and semi-finished gold and silver.

The suppliers where I buy the gold and silver and other metals with which I make your jewelry at The MeriTomasa's Treasures Factory:

• Nearest first: Golditrys, very close to the Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona. They sell fine metal (gold, silver, platinum and palladium), welds of different hardnesses and semi-finished products with silver and gold alloys (that is, wire, tube and plate in sterling metal). They work for both students and professionals (prices vary). They don't have a website but if you call or write to them, they are super efficient, friendly and close.
• AGALEX, in Galicia. Silver specialists. They sell both semi-finished and raw metals (among other services they offer such as analysis and recovery). Very good quality and value for money. They only sell to professionals. The treatment of the client is formal, correct and decisive.
• My super supplier of fairmined metal that I am extremely proud of: FAIREVER, in Leipzig, Germany. I studied all the available ones and the products they offered, looking more for semi-finished products than for pure metal. And of all the answers (and no answers) I received, FAIREVER's kindness and attention stood out. They offer 999 silver and 24kt gold as well as 18kt or 14kt yellow, rose, red and white gold in the semi-finished form you are looking for: eco-gold, fairmined gold and fairtrade gold. I couldn't be happier with the ease and speed of the international transaction and the customer service. Great value for money. I am looking forward to having many orders to buy more gold to be proud of and thus promote fairer mining with miners and the environment.
• For copper, brass, iron, steel and other industrial supplies I buy at RAndrade, in Pontevedra. I used to buy in Barcelona but the two companies I knew closed and I haven't found any similar. It happens every day: the big ones arrive and the small ones can't compete. That's how I found RANdrade, in Galicia. They have everything, good quality and good value for money. And the customer service is also very good. So I've already repeated several times.
• I do the analysis and recovery of the precious metals that I work on in my workshop with CIMEP, in Alaquàs, Valencia. In a jeweler's workshop, nothing is thrown away: even what is swept is saved for tomorrow, taken to the laboratory to recover the precious metal dust that has been lost in the manufacturing processes: sink, polisher...

Lapidaries

From the name they seem something else, but the "lapidaries" in jewelry are the people or businesses that are dedicated to carving and/or marketing precious stones. I highlight several for the good quality/price ratio and the good customer service and I add my favorite suppliers of pearls and diamonds:

• Sivilla Lapidaris, Barcelona.
• Pedra Artesana, Manresa.
• Mas Gemas, Madrid.
• Gema Cubic and GemaSur, both from Córdoba, from the suppliers that I stayed from the place where I studied and lived a few more than golden years. They sell synthetic stones, crystals and pearls. Of different quality and at a very good price. They are very friendly and with a fast and great service.
• And also Colay, Barcelona. They have everything, but I've basically bought them pearls.
• And my diamond supplier: Rovira Gems, on the Ramblas of Barcelona (they do not have their own website).

Trimmings

In jewelry, findings are those little pieces to keep jewelry secure and in place. For example a lobster clasp, an earring closure or a keyring.

• Fornituras Estampadas Trullàs is one of my favorite suppliers. They offer high quality trimmings: nuts and pressures of national manufacture, carabiners and quality clips of Italian origin and have their own workshop where they manufacture galleries, chatons, omegas... The quality/price ratio is unbeatable and they cannot have a better deal for you to the client. They do not have a website: you can go buy them in person or you can order them by phone. Unbeatable customer service and quality.
• The only limitation of Trullàs is that its catalog is not very extensive, and when I look for more fanciful trimmings I buy at Com-Forsa. They sell a thousand and one sterling silver findings and a few things also made of gold. They are in Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza but their web is quite good. If you have questions, you can call and they have good customer service, both pre-sale and post-sale.

Chains

I've had a really hard time finding these: chain providers. And I keep two for day to day and one for emergencies. All three are manufacturers and only sell to professionals:

• NovaIBG de Alemany are in Barcelona but on their website you can see their entire catalog quite well. Very good quality, no minimum order and very good customer service. In some gold chains you cannot order them urgently because they need a week to send the order, but otherwise everything is great.
• OPLA are in Valencia but they have a website where you can see their extensive catalogue. Any questions will be answered very quickly and they have fantastic customer service. Very good quality/price ratio. The only but for me is that they have an important minimum order, which is very understandable because they are manufacturers, so when you buy you have to do it with anticipation. And a piece of news is that since 2021 OPLA is already using 100% recycled and traceable metals in its production of chains (Chain of Custody – Ecosilver).
• When I'm in a hurry and I only need two gold chains (because orders come in from today to yesterday) I buy them at Precious Components, at Monte San Savino (Italy). They only sell to manufacturers. They have a very good website where the products and their weights vs. prices are super good. They manufacture with very good quality, good customer service and are very fast.

Threads and cords

• One of my favorites is MOKUBA SHOP BCN: Entering their store is like losing yourself in a sea of ​​precious ribbons and laces of super good quality. The price accompanies the concept of good quality.
• I buy the leathers at Curtidos Carrasco, which are in Asturias, they have a very good website where you can see all their products, very efficient customer service and very high quality products. Here I must say that I do not like to buy leather because I am against these practices with animals but… in some designs I have a hard time finding alternatives, also because there is no sustainable and pet-friendly product on the market that meets the same need. Do you know of any?
• I buy some simpler things at Sara or Casa Torres, which are in Barcelona, ​​and in Amelia González (Createsse), who are in Murcia but have an online mode.

Tools and machinery

I have seen some others in Barcelona that make me very curious, but here I will show you the ones that I have already validated, so I will first mention two generalists and then a very special recommendation if you are looking for a custom punch

• My favorites are JOYTECH, in Tarragona, and Comrashop in Madrid. Both with a very well resolved website and friendly customer service.
• And if what you are looking for is a custom punch to stamp your brand, you have to go to Grabados Imaz. I would not know what to highlight more about Mr. Imaz, if his kindness or the great vocation, wisdom and technique that he has in his trade. He made my punch with the MeriTomasa logo. They are in Barcelona, ​​very close to the Mercat de Sant Antoni, and they also offer more services such as laser engraving.

Packaging

Those chosen for the MeriTomasa boxes are LESER, who work in Lahr, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. They are sustainable cardboard boxes with the FSC® label. Recycled and ecological cardboard. LESER uses cardboard, among other materials, for its transformation into packaging. Boxes in the 0135 PICOT series are made from sustainable cardboard with the FSC® label. This product is made from materials that come from exemplary managed forests, FSC® certified and other controlled sources. They tell you everything better here.

Shipping

I ship with DHL, both local and international. If the measure does not trigger me, I normally use cardboard envelopes (not plastic) and the shipment is GO-GREEN (paying a little more this service minimizes the emission of pollutants, the production of waste and other environmental impacts related to logistics throughout the supply chain.

The wrapping envelopes I used before were from Publipack Calafell/, by Ecobagstore. I liked them a lot but they have stopped marketing the size I need. Now I use the Eco Natur envelopes from Celorama, also very cool and I think that even more eco in dye theme.

The padded envelopes are from la Bolsera. They have a plastic film with sips bubbles... but they also have the FSC (forest stewardship council) label. This label is carried by products that are made with a mix of materials from FSC certified forests, recycled materials and/or FSC controlled wood.

Copy shop

My favorite copy shop for printing, reprography and lettering is Printdossier, in Jaume d'Arters, in Manresa: I am lucky to have them on the corner of the same street where my workshop is :-) They have almost 40 years of experience and offer printing services: they are innovative, offer high quality, speed and a fantastic customer service.

Drugstore

I buy the cleaning products for my workshop at Biopompas Manresa, a drugstore with bulk natural products. You take the container and it is reused. They shine for their sympathy and vocation. One of my best changes both professionally and personally. I am super happy with your products and how much they teach me to improve on this path every time I go.

Jewelry Partners

Being a craft jewelry workshop does not mean having all the machinery and knowing about all the processes. Sometimes it is more important to find good travel companions to whom you can entrust part of the work or who you can trust to overcome the greatest challenges.

• Víctor Vizcaíno, Manresa. Víctor and his team are jewelers with long experience. For me, they are masters of the trade: they work and offer high-end artisan jewelry services, including 3D printing (high-resolution computer prototyping), burin or laser engraving, setting precious stones, electrolytic baths... Nothing escapes them from this trade.
• Microfusió Garre, St Fruitós. Javi and Gerard are foundrymen: specialists in microfusion, reproduction of pieces in silver, gold, brass, bronze or zamak. They also offer computer design and prototyping, offering a 3D printing service and giving you the piece already in metal. They have impeccable customer service and will advise you in all your doubts.
• Montrofeu, also in Manresa. I order some laser engraving from them but they offer many more products and services such as inaugural plaques, sports trophies, wood engraving and medal creation. They are experts with long experience in their field and have a super personalized and attentive customer service.
• Rodiart, in Barcelona. She makes gold plating (of different colors and microns), rhodium baths, ruthenium and aged silver finishes . She does not have its own website, but it is easy to find on Google, in Ronda Universitat. If you have doubts, you just have to call her. Very friendly and helpful, excellent quality and great value for money.

Administrative management

I have not forgotten my administrative and legal manager, Xavier from RUBIÓ Assessors , who is always aware of all my tax procedures and helps me a lot to be up to date and understand the unintelligible.

Video and social networks

My friend Núria Oliveras is a great communicator who makes me super videos, helps me with social media and is a mind full of extraordinary ideas.

...and my key partners

I can't finish this directory without mentioning my key partners, without whom I wouldn't be writing these lines:

• Eva Tomasa, the two virtuous hands that have helped me so many times in the workshop (and to set up the workshop).
• Isidro Tomasa, my marketing manager who has been running the web for about 15 years… It is hard for him to admit it, but he is the one who planted the seed of MeriTomasa.com and who continues to water it day by day. He is my great partner and I owe him a Tomasa mansion.
• And to my mother, Ángela Priego, my particular business angel and my most valuable treasure, who has always supported me and my profession, who loves me so much, helps and puts up with me. And also my father, Benedicto Tomasa, who is always and always will be my guardian angel wherever he is.

I finish this directory with an ideal link to enrich this post. In it you can download the dossier Responsible Jewelry Notes, written by Origen, a group made up of 8 jewelery firms from Barcelona and the NGO Medicus Mundi Mediterrània. There you will also find a directory of providers. I disagree on some of them: they offer true traceability and fair trade, but they drink too much from big wholesalers for my liking. I cannot put my hand in the fire because of the fair origin of my raw materials, but everyone can do what is in their hands, and for me, who is a very small jewelry workshop, it is important to buy from small stores and get infected the desire to offer products with greater transparency, traceability and, therefore, become more sustainable every day together. Little by little and good lyrics :-)

It seems incredible, isn't it? Every time you order a piece of jewelery at The MeriTomasa Treasures Factory, all this loooong chain of suppliers begins to roll to offer you the best service in an ethical and sustainable way. I hope I haven't extended myself too much: I've been building this directory for a long time and I think it's important to share it. Transparency, traceability, proximity and sustainability in my production processes. We certainly have a long way to go. Do we do it together? Do you think I've forgotten someone important?