Crystal Mines

The situation in crystal mines around the world is unfortunately often very grim. I've attended crystal conferences and received extensive education on these issues. There are instances of child labor, extremely dangerous working conditions, and numerous fatalities. I believe it's crucial to open up discussions about these dark sides of the crystal industry, which are often silenced. Below, I will list three places in the world where corruption is most severe:

• Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan is controlled by terrorist organisations and used to finance Taliban operations.
• Cobalt from mines in Congo is sold cheaply to Chinese business tycoons and then forwarded for battery production for phones, computers, electronics, and electric vehicles in the Western world. Working conditions are atrocious, with men, women, and children digging for cobalt by hand and descending into pits that can collapse at any moment.
• Jade from Burma (Myanmar) is associated with dangerous working conditions, where people often face landslides due to illegal mining equipment and poor safety standards. Over 75% of the miners are heroin addicts, likely because they are paid in drugs.

 

I prioritise purchasing and using only responsibly sourced crystals, and I encourage you to ask questions when buying crystals. Fortunately, there is growing awareness about these issues, and more crystal wholesalers are advocating for responsible trade.

However, the unfortunate reality is that many who sell crystals to the public do not know exactly where they come from – or they may unknowingly be selling coloured glass rather than genuine crystals. There's nothing wrong with selling beautiful objects made of coloured glass, but I would like to see sellers become more aware of what they are offering and where it originates. This way, consumers can make more informed choices, and together we can stop inadvertently supporting corruption in the crystal industry.

 

Other Ways to Shop for Crystals

Trade Shows
You can attend crystal trade shows worldwide, where sellers often display and sell crystals they have mined themselves or companies showcase their direct relationships with mines. The largest and most well-known shows are:

• Sainte Marie in France
• Tucson in the USA
• Munich in Germany
• Donghai in China

 

Mine Visits
Some companies in the USA and the UK offer opportunities to book visits to crystal mines and dig for your own crystals – leaving no doubt about their origins.

In the USA:

• The Georgia Mineral Society
• The Roaring Camp Mining Company in California
• Crystal Grove in Johnsville, NY
• Wegner and Coleman Crystal Mines in Arkansas

 

In the UK:

• The Silver Mountain Experience in Wales
• Poldark Mine in Cornwall
• Blue John Cavern in Castleton
• The Dolaucothi Gold Mine, also in Wales
  
  

image from: Hot Springs Arkansas

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