frequently asked questions
Where do you get your minerals?
Our stones are purchased from artisan craftspeople who mine and cut their own materials or from Columbia Gem House who is a leader in the transparent sourcing of gem materials. Some of our materials were purchased in a more general market – and we label each mineral with its level of ‘fair trade’.
Why does it cost so much?
The colored gem industry is an industry which spans many continents and has traditions established before modern industrial standards for safety and well being of its workers. This is not unlike other industries which supply the modern world. Some of our jewelry costs more than what you might find elsewhere – that is because we source our gems and stones from companies that pay a fair wage and provide healthy work conditions. We will be writing blogs in the next year to explain more about the importance of a transparent supply chain in the gemstone industry.