Rag Doll
Ethical Crystals and
Minerals
Since
ancient times people have been fascinated by crystals and the use of them for
various purposes but in recent times the question has been posed, are crystals
ethical? From environmental impacts to dangerous mining conditions, child
labour, illegal mining, corruption and funding terrorism. It’s no wonder that
people are wondering whether to consciously no longer be a consumer of
crystals.
What are a few key examples of unethical crystals? How
are they unethical?
Himalayan Salt
While most people are aware that Himalayan salt lamps
are beneficial by helping to reduce the negative effects of emf emitted by
electronic devices it might be surprising to learn where and how they are
sourced. They actually are sourced from Khewra salt mine in Pakistan using
conventional mining. Environmental impacts associated with these methods
include greenhouse gas emissions as well as land disturbance. Mining conditions
are lacking and in need of improvements. It is also being sold for far too
little at the source. There are also some fakes around being sold.
Himalayan salt lamp.
Tanzanite
There exists conflict between small scale mining which
can be dangerous by Tanzanian nationals and big scale mining by foreigners who
elected to follow De Beers business model to control the supply to market and drive-up
prices with Tanzanite One’s Mark of Rarity certificate. The implication of
which impacts on other mine’s supply eluding that it is somehow inferior and
thus less desirable. The consequence of this is more profits going back
overseas and less profit remaining within the country and being able to be used
by local communities as a path out of poverty.
Tanzanite and diamonds gold ring.
Blood Minerals
What are blood diamonds (as well as other minerals)?
Blood diamonds was a hot topic at the forefront of the
media brought to our attention via the movie, Blood Diamond featuring Leonardo
DiCaprio. Essentially, they contribute to funding insurgency, illegitimate
rebel groups, civil wars, and even the ambitions of a German empire in the
World Wars. The term symbolizes the lives of innocent civilians lost as they
were caught in the crossfire.
Conflict Minerals and Crystal By-products
Contrary to popular belief in a lot of cases crystals
are the by-product of ore mining, the mining for metals such as aluminium,
copper, gold, or other resources such as coal. Most of which is for our
devices. Maybe some people have been questioning or heard of others questioning
how ethical are our devices that we use? Such as mining for rare metals for
mobile phones. Have you ever heard of conflict minerals? Perhaps you might
recall mining for coltan (otherwise known as columbite-tantalite) for mobile
phones in gorilla habitats in the Congo as well as some consumer awareness
efforts to encourage people to recycle their old devices in order to recycle
the metals from the device to reduce the need to mine for new resources. Many
such mines are illegally operated however legal or not they destroy the
environment, endanger wildlife such as chimpanzees, elephants and gorillas,
killing them to feed the mine workers, or selling them illegally to further
fund the mining.
Unless you want to live technology free, most people
feel the need for their devices, for work, education, entertainment,
relaxation, communication etc. It’s a necessary part of modern daily life at
this point. Do we have to live with the necessary evil to get by, make excuses
for it, how can we excuse crystals as the by-product on moral principal and
values? Are crystals necessary? Should we not purchase and fund the activities
of these mines if we can help it on moral grounds? If crystals are meant to be
beneficial, how can they be justified when sourcing them causes so much harm?
If you begrudgingly accept to purchase and use your devices, is it ok to accept
their crystal by-products as well? If we want to work with crystals for their
energy, don’t those crystal by-products have too much negative energy
surrounding them if they can’t be worked with with a clear conscience? Are
those conflict minerals really that rare or can they be sourced elsewhere so
that they are not necessarily a necessity of evil?
In other cases, crystal by-products of copper mines
can include azurite, malachite and turquoise.
This contrasts with the idea of mining solely for
crystals destroys the environment since there is more money to be gained from
mining for other resources so it wouldn’t make as much sense to just mine for
the crystals.
Child Labour
Child labour can be a grey area. In some countries or
families children help their family by working to help feed the family, there
may not be two working parents, one might stay home and look after the younger
children, or a parent may be injured or ill and unable to work, the pay may be
so low that the family still needs children to work to help cover costs.
Families in these circumstances would not be able to cope if there was a
blanket ban on child labour. Such low pay has been likened to modern day slavery.
Some miners take their children to work as there are no schools or childcare
nearby.
Mica used in car paints, cosmetics, edible glitters,
inks is an example of a mineral known to be sourced with child labour.
Terrorism
The ancient Egyptians were famous for their love of
lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. It has previously appeared on television for
having dangerous working conditions but today it may be known to some as directly
funding armed groups like the Taliban up to 20 million dollars per year.
Unethical Gold Mining
On a side note, also in Afghanistan, gold is mined
from the river with sheep skin which is obviously not vegan friendly. Elsewhere
such as places in South America mercury is used during the gold mining process
which is toxic to the environment, animals and the miners themselves who put
earning money for their families above even their own health and safety which
doesn’t help their families in the long term if they cause themselves to become
out of action earlier because of it.
Pricing
Much like fast fashion, if the price is super low
that’s an indicator of someone suffering further up the supply chain.
Crystal Fakes
These can include glass, plastic, lab grown or natural
crystals that are artificially dyed, misnamed or treated and given a brand-new
name.
How can crystals become more sustainable?
As consumers we need to continue asking questions and
holding brands and companies accountable while encouraging them to improve
where or how they source their materials and being transparent about it.
Can crystals be sourced ethically?
Hand mining, mining for pure specimens which entails a
gentler process, sourcing from small mines or buy second hand and avoid
bargains too good to be true. You could even try your hand at mining yourself.
Alternatively, if you are so inclined you can choose lab grown crystals.
An alternative to Himalayan salt for cooking can be
found such as Australian salts produced from groundwater and surfaces which are
naturally saline. Choosing mineral salts sourced from the Murray Darling Basin
can be beneficial to dealing with inland salinity at the heart of Australia’s
Food Bowl. If you live in Australia this would help reduce food miles so better
for the environment.
In 2003 the Kimberly Process was established to
prevent conflict diamonds from circulation where they implement safeguards of
rough diamonds so they can be certified conflict free. Additionally, the KP has
set standards so ethical diamonds are mined in accordance as far as labour and
the environment goes.
Lower grade lapis lazuli can be alternatively sourced
from mines outside of Afghanistan and not just sold by other countries who
import the higher grade from there.
The supply chain can be challenging to track once it
leaves a mine and goes to another country to be carved. A supply chain might
start at the source as unethical but other processes thereafter such as carving
might be ethical. In which case you could choose raw crystals if you know they
are ethically mined unless they also carve at that mine.
Ask questions and purchase from trusted miners, miners
who give back to their communities plus wholesalers or retailers who also ask
questions and are willing to find out more information to consciously source
for their customers.
Do your due diligence, research to inform yourself and
become aware of issues so that you can make informed conscious choices. Choose
brands and companies that align ethically and do not procure from unethical
sources. Share what you learn to help educate others. Together we can help make
a difference.
Alternatives to mica used in makeup can be found right
in your kitchen or garden by trying your hand at creating your own DIY makeup
plus it’ll help enable you to reduce plastic and waste, avoid animal testing,
animal ingredients or by-products, palm oil, chemicals, toxins, preservatives,
and be organic. Or you could go sans makeup.
Otherwise, there are brands such as Lush Cosmetics
that use a plastic free synthetic mica. There are some child free labour mining
of mica for example prior to switching to synthetic mica Lush’s supplier worked
with a local NGO, BBA (Save the Childhood Foundation) that works to help create
child friendly villages.
Sources:
https://hibiscusmooncrystalacademy.com/ethical-crystal-sourcing/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRyKZQg56A
Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy Certified Crystal
Practitioner Course
https://hibiscusmooncrystalacademy.com/ccp-course-over/
https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/6-reasons-end-your-love-affair-himalayan-rock-salt/
https://hibiscusmooncrystalacademy.com/himalayan-salt-lamps/
https://www.theraregemstonecompany.com/gemology-articles/tanzanite-mining-small-scale-vs-large-scale
Blood Diamond movie
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674916494
https://www.kimberleyprocess.com/en/what-kp
https://charlesrose.com.au/pages/ethical-sourcing
Foxtel TV shows and documentaries
https://gorillafund.org/uncategorized/mining-conflict-minerals-driving-gorillas-extinction/
