Ingle & Rhode, a jewelry brand that offers certified Fairtrade and conflict-free fine jewelry direct to its consumers, has successfully secured its initial £300,000 funding target on Crowdcube. The crowdfunding campaign was launched earlier this month and so far has attracted more than 200 investors.
As previously reported, Ingle & Rhodes was founded in 2007 and has created engagement rings set with ethical diamonds and gems along with custom-made wedding rings and eternity rings. It also offers earrings, bracelets, necklace, and other types of jewelry.
“Our story began in 2006, when David Rhode was looking for an engagement ring but couldn’t find a jeweller who could tell him where their diamonds had come from, or the conditions under which their jewellery was produced. The more he looked into the industry, the more compromises he discovered he was being asked to make. From blood diamonds, to dirty gold, to sweatshops and child labour. Together David and his friend Tim Ingle launched Ingle & Rhode in 2007 to offer an ethical alternative to the traditional luxury brands.”
Ingle & Rhode currently sells directly to customers from premises in central London, through a “clicks and mortar”business model. This round of funding is focused on increasing marketing spend, and enhancements to the website to improve conversion rates.
“Human and environmental exploitation are rife within the jewellery industry, including conflict diamonds, child labour, and environmental destruction. Ingle & Rhode addresses these problems by making fine jewellery (principally engagement rings and wedding rings) using certified Fairtrade gold, recycled platinum, and conflict-free traceable diamonds and gemstones. All of their jewellery is made in the UK.”
Speaking about the crowdfunding campaign’s success so far, the Ingle & Rhode’s team stated:
“We’ve been delighted with the response both from our clients, and also the wider Crowdcube community. We’re in ongoing conversations with quite a few of you, and have decided keep our campaign running in order to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to invest. Our new funding target is £400k.”
The campaign is currently set to close at the beginning of July.
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