From Selling Crystals to Ethical Jewellery: My Journey with Gemstones

In 2019, before I found my path in jewellery making and silversmithing, I began by selling crystals through my Etsy shop.

I mainly sourced rough crystals, as these were my favourite, but I also sold clusters and tumbled stones. I loved crystals, and having a reason to be constantly surrounded by them made selling them feel like a dream job.

After a while, I started learning about the environmental damage caused by mining crystals, along with the health risks faced by miners and the lack of fair trade standards in many parts of the industry. I felt sad—for the harm it was doing to the planet and to the people involved—and I knew I couldn’t keep selling crystals in good conscience. It no longer aligned with my values.

After scouring the internet and researching for days, I found out more about ethical sourcing practices in the gemstone industry. I discovered companies that focus on transparency, traceability, and responsible mining, with proper safety measures, fair wages, and care for local communities.

I visited one of my suppliers further up north and was able to handpick from a beautiful collection of ethically sourced stones—some of which I still treasure today!

Now, as a jewellery maker, I carry those same values with me. I only work with a handful of trusted suppliers who share my commitment to ethical sourcing. These suppliers either visit the mines themselves or have direct relationships with small-scale miners, ensuring every gemstone I use has been mined responsibly and with care for both people and the planet.

I’ll be sharing more about these suppliers and what I love about each of them in a future post.

Ethical gemstone sourcing isn’t just about avoiding harm—it’s about supporting better practices, sustainable livelihoods, and fair treatment throughout the supply chain. From reducing environmental impact to protecting workers’ rights, choosing ethically sourced stones is one small but important way to make a positive difference.

Fun fact: My favourite crystal is pink tourmaline—which also happens to be my daughter’s birthstone. I love the soft romantic pink tones, and how beautifully they pair with silver. Turquoise is another favourite of mine. I could spend all day staring at its colours and matrix patterns; it’s a truly mesmerising stone.

What are your favourite gemstones, and why? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear!

Warmly,

Georgia