MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
Policies & IssuesAug 14, 2019
What Is ‘Salmon Gold,’ and Why Is Tiffany Using It?
The jeweler joins Apple in adopting a new initiative that combines re-mining with fish habitat restoration.
Gold nuggets recovered from Jack Wade Creek, a tributary of the Fortymile River in Alaska, that will be used in sustainable “Salmon Gold”
Washington, D.C.—Tiffany & Co. is the first jeweler to start using gold sourced from an initiative that combines re-mining with fish habitat restoration.
Announced this week by non-governmental organization Resolve, the initiative is called “Salmon Gold” and is being adopted by another pretty well-known company—Apple.
It is, the organization said, an innovative approach to mining gold that will also restore habitats in Alaska, Canada’s Yukon Territory and British Columbia, all regions with “globally significant” habitat for salmon and other anadromous fish species (those spend most of their lives in saltwater but return to freshwater to spawn).
The project targets areas affected by tailings—residue from old placer gold mining sites—left in the streams or on the banks, which can prevent fish like salmon and grayling from migrating and spawning.
The re-mining of the tailings happens first, according to Resolve President Stephen D’Esposito, with restoration in mind as the trees, soil and rocks are kept nearby.
Intensive restoration happens after re-mining is complete, including reclamation (stabilizing the stream with rocks) and restoration (improving the habitat by adding more pools to support spawning, making sure it has the right vegetation, and more).
D’Esposito said Resolve creates a restoration plan for each stream, or section of stream, noting that restoration can take more than one mining season to complete.
Salmon Gold’s first phase focused on part of Jack Wade Creek, a tributary of the Fortymile River in Alaska.
There, Resolve partnered with Dean Race and his two sons, Chris and Dakota, placer miners and restoration entrepreneurs, as well as government agencies to test restoration methods, process recovered gold and establish a chain of custody for the first batch of Salmon Gold going from mine to manufacturers.
Gold from the project is now in Tiffany’s supply chain. A company spokesperson told National Jeweler the gold will enter the retailer’s larger supply of raw gold, though there is no specific collection or marketing push planned by them for Salmon Gold.
Anisa Kamadoli Costa, chief sustainability officer at Tiffany, said in a press release: “At Tiffany & Co., we are committed to safeguarding critical ecosystems, including in majestic Alaska and its precious salmon habitats, a place that we have long advocated for. Salmon Gold proves that responsible mining practices and restoration of important ecosystems in Alaska, the Yukon, and British Columbia can go hand in hand.”
Tiffany has a long history protecting salmon and speaking out about environmental issues in general.
Announced this week by non-governmental organization Resolve, the initiative is called “Salmon Gold” and is being adopted by another pretty well-known company—Apple.
It is, the organization said, an innovative approach to mining gold that will also restore habitats in Alaska, Canada’s Yukon Territory and British Columbia, all regions with “globally significant” habitat for salmon and other anadromous fish species (those spend most of their lives in saltwater but return to freshwater to spawn).
The project targets areas affected by tailings—residue from old placer gold mining sites—left in the streams or on the banks, which can prevent fish like salmon and grayling from migrating and spawning.
The re-mining of the tailings happens first, according to Resolve President Stephen D’Esposito, with restoration in mind as the trees, soil and rocks are kept nearby.
Intensive restoration happens after re-mining is complete, including reclamation (stabilizing the stream with rocks) and restoration (improving the habitat by adding more pools to support spawning, making sure it has the right vegetation, and more).
D’Esposito said Resolve creates a restoration plan for each stream, or section of stream, noting that restoration can take more than one mining season to complete.
Salmon Gold’s first phase focused on part of Jack Wade Creek, a tributary of the Fortymile River in Alaska.
There, Resolve partnered with Dean Race and his two sons, Chris and Dakota, placer miners and restoration entrepreneurs, as well as government agencies to test restoration methods, process recovered gold and establish a chain of custody for the first batch of Salmon Gold going from mine to manufacturers.
Gold from the project is now in Tiffany’s supply chain. A company spokesperson told National Jeweler the gold will enter the retailer’s larger supply of raw gold, though there is no specific collection or marketing push planned by them for Salmon Gold.
Anisa Kamadoli Costa, chief sustainability officer at Tiffany, said in a press release: “At Tiffany & Co., we are committed to safeguarding critical ecosystems, including in majestic Alaska and its precious salmon habitats, a place that we have long advocated for. Salmon Gold proves that responsible mining practices and restoration of important ecosystems in Alaska, the Yukon, and British Columbia can go hand in hand.”
Tiffany has a long history protecting salmon and speaking out about environmental issues in general.
The retailer was among those that led the charge to get jewelers to vow to boycott gold from the never-developed Pebble mine in Alaska back in 2009. Its efforts included screening the documentary “Red Gold,” which detailed tensions between native fisherman in Bristol Bay and mine officials, for editors in New York City.
And in May 2017, the retailer took out an ad in The New York Times urging President Donald Trump to keep the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement, which he did not.
RELATED CONTENT: Tiffany Is Now Telling Consumers the Origin of Its Diamonds
With the success of the initial phase, Salmon Gold has expanded beyond the Fortymile River with new sites now at Sulphur Creek in the Yukon Territory and Gold Creek, north of Talkeetna, Alaska.
Resolve is considering more sites throughout Alaska, the Yukon and British Columbia.
The NGO will continue to support stream restoration pilots—going from three to 15 sites over the next two years—and then scale up to target restoration at a “watershed level.”
D’Esposito said that with 10 to 15 sites, the organization should be able to show that the model can scale and become self-sustaining.
Resolve is considering more sites throughout Alaska, the Yukon and British Columbia.
The NGO will continue to support stream restoration pilots—going from three to 15 sites over the next two years—and then scale up to target restoration at a “watershed level.”
D’Esposito said that with 10 to 15 sites, the organization should be able to show that the model can scale and become self-sustaining.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
