How to Find Ethically Sourced Crystals
The term 'ethical sourcing' is often used loosely in the crystal healing industry, and sometimes without a clear understanding of what it truly means. So before diving into the search for ethically sourced crystals, let’s take a step back and unpack what it means.
What is Ethics?
Ethics is a nuanced and subjective concept rooted in philosophical principles. It’s often shaped by cultural, religious, personal, and regional values. At its core, ethics involves making choices that align with moral principles – essentially, what’s considered ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. However, what is ethical in one part of the world might not be the same elsewhere. Let’s explore a few examples:
Gift-Giving and Bribery:
In Western countries, giving gifts in business settings might be seen as bribery.
In countries like Japan or China, gift-giving in business is a sign of respect and relationship-building.
Dining Etiquette:
In India, eating with your hands is culturally appropriate and even encouraged.
In Western nations, this might be seen as unhygienic or impolite.
Public Displays of Affection:
In Western cultures, holding hands or hugging in public is generally acceptable.
In Middle Eastern or South Asian cultures, such displays might be considered inappropriate.
These examples show everyday activities that are considered both ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ depending on the context. Context and education are essential to understanding what is acceptable in different parts of the world.
No Supply Chain is 100% Ethical
Let’s be clear: no supply chain is completely ethical. It’s impossible to meet everyone’s ethical standards perfectly, and there will always be aspects that don’t sit right with someone. Instead of chasing unattainable perfection, we should focus on progress and transparency. Ethical sourcing is about doing the best you can with the information and resources available.
In the crystal healing industry, unless you are personally visiting every step of the supply chain – mining, cutting, polishing – and meeting the workers involved, it is impossible to claim with certainty that something is 100% ethically sourced. Anyone making that claim without documented proof of audits from these work sites is being misleading, and that in itself is unethical.
Establishing Your Ethical Position
Before searching for ethically sourced crystals, take a moment to determine what ethics mean to you. Consider these questions:
Is environmental sustainability your top priority?
Do you value fair labour practices above all else?
How important is reducing carbon emissions to you?
Do you want to support local or Indigenous communities?
Is transparency about treatments and artificial materials important?
Understanding your own priorities will make it easier to evaluate whether a supplier aligns with your values.
Beyond Crystals: Considering Ethics in Everyday Life
When thinking about ethical sourcing in the crystal industry, it’s worth reflecting on other areas of daily life where similar considerations apply. For instance:
Electronics: The smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles we use often rely on lithium and rare earth minerals mined under questionable conditions.
Fashion: Fast fashion frequently involves exploitative labour and environmental harm.
Food: Staples like coffee, chocolate, and meat often have hidden ethical concerns, such as child labour, or deforestation.
Ask yourself this: If you are willing to keep using your smartphone knowing it contains a lithium battery sourced unethically, enjoy eating at Nando’s despite their chicken not being free-range, or even continue to shop on platforms like Shein and Temu, which rely on fast fashion models with unethical labour and environmental practices, are crystals really the most critical area to demand ethical sourcing? Similarly, Ethics is about balance and consistency – not cherry-picking one area while ignoring others.
Ethics isn’t limited to crystals. Taking a holistic approach to all aspects of consumption in your life helps create a more balanced perspective.
Photo: The Washington Post, the Shabara artisanal mine, where cobalt and copper are dug out by hand, near the Congolese boomtown of Kolwezi. Cobalt is an essential ingredient in the batteries of most electric vehicles and many consumer electronics.
Further Reading:
Where Ethics Matter in the Crystal Industry
To evaluate whether crystals are ethically sourced, it's worth considering the entire supply chain. Each stage has potential ethical implications:
Mining
Are miners working under safe conditions and earning fair wages? It is worth noting that mining is inherently dangerous so it is never completely safe.
Is mining conducted in a way that minimises environmental damage? Are mining pits filled up once the resources have been exhausted?
Does the operation respect Indigenous lands and sacred sites?
Are child labour practices strictly prohibited? How is this monitored and controlled?
Are materials mined in conflict zones or funding conflict? How are you staying on stop of which minerals are currently considered conflict minerals?
Environmental impact: Tailings of a large opal mining operation. Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia.
Cutting and Polishing
Are workers in lapidary workshops fairly compensated?
Are exploitative practices, including child labour, avoided?
Is waste reduced during the cutting process?
How is waste disposed of?
Treatments and Labelling
Are treatments like dyeing or heat treatment disclosed transparently?
Are chemicals used in treatments handled responsibly?
Packaging and Shipping
Is the packaging recyclable or biodegradable?
Are efforts made to reduce the carbon footprint during transportation?
Retail Practices
Does the retailer provide transparency about sourcing?
Are treatments and origins of the crystals clearly labelled?
Do they acknowledge the ethical challenges in their supply chain?
Do they have an ethical statement on their website?
An Ethical Checklist for Crystal Shops
Once you have established what is important to you, here’s a quick checklist to help you evaluate whether a crystal shop aligns with your values:
Mining Transparency: Do they disclose where their crystals are sourced? Are ethical practices prioritised?
Conflict Zones: Do they sell materials mined in conflict zones?
Worker Welfare: Are miners and lapidary workers paid fairly and working in safe conditions?
Environmental Impact: Do they minimise environmental harm and use sustainable packaging?
Treatment Disclosure: Are treatments and artificial materials clearly labelled correctly?
Community Support: Do they collaborate with or support local and Indigenous communities?
Carbon Footprint: Are steps taken to offset emissions from shipping and transport?
Transparency and Honesty: Do they openly discuss the challenges and limitations of ethical sourcing?
Final Thoughts: Making Ethical Choices
Finding ethically sourced crystals takes research and reflection. Start by identifying your priorities and then look for shops that align with your values. Remember, ethical sourcing is a journey, not a destination. Every small step you take contributes to a more transparent and responsible industry. By asking the right questions and supporting businesses that prioritise ethical practices, you can make a meaningful impact.
