Beyond Ethical Sourcing

Setting a New Standard in Responsibility and Transparency

In a world where "ethical sourcing" has become little more than a buzzword, Beyond Bohemian strives to redefine what true responsibility looks like in the crystal industry. For us, ethical sourcing goes beyond marketing. It means being directly involved in every stage of the process, ensuring that our practices benefit people, communities, and the environment at every step.

The crystal industry lacks universal standards or governing bodies to regulate ethical claims. This absence of accountability allows businesses to engage in greenwashing, misleading consumers while profiting from exploitation. At Beyond Bohemian, we refuse to be part of that trend. Instead, we’ve built a supply chain that prioritizes direct relationships, worker empowerment, and regenerative practices to ensure every crystal we offer meets our strict values.

Worker Cooperatives: A Model for Empowerment

Over half of our products are sourced from worker-owned cooperatives in South America and Africa. These cooperatives represent a revolutionary approach to mining, where collective ownership and shared profits uplift entire communities. Unlike corporate mining operations, where profits flow to executives or shareholders, worker cooperatives ensure that every dollar earned stays within the community.

Here’s what makes cooperatives so impactful:

• Democratic Ownership: Every member, regardless of role or seniority, has an equal vote in decisions. This ensures fairness and shared responsibility.

• Shared Profits: Profits are distributed among members based on their contributions, providing financial stability and improving quality of life for families.

• Community Investment: Cooperative members allocate funds to projects that benefit their communities, such as building schools, improving healthcare, or creating sustainable agricultural initiatives.

The environmental practices of cooperatives are equally inspiring. These small-scale operations use low-impact techniques, prioritize land restoration, and often convert mined sites into farmlands or reforestation zones. In Brazil, for example, abandoned mining sites are frequently transformed into agroforestry systems, where fertile soil supports the growth of fruit trees and other crops.

The Harsh Reality of "Fake Ethical Businesses"

The rise of “fake ethical businesses” is one of the most frustrating challenges we face in the industry. Many companies make sweeping claims without any transparency or evidence to back them up. The truth is, after nearly a decade of working in the crystal trade and studying labor, social, and political conditions worldwide, it’s clear that most materials on the market are tied to exploitation—whether of people, the environment, or both.

At Beyond Bohemian, we refuse to carry products from countries or suppliers with known histories of:

• Human rights abuses (e.g., child labor or bonded labor).

• Environmental destruction (e.g., deforestation or unregulated mining practices).

• Conflict funding (e.g., stones like lapis lazuli from Afghanistan or jade from Myanmar, which are often tied to armed conflict and unsafe working conditions).

We are committed to setting a higher standard by sourcing exclusively from partners who share our vision for responsibility and respect.

Mining as a Force for Positive Change

Mining is undeniably one of the most destructive industries on the planet, but it doesn’t have to be. When done thoughtfully, it can be a powerful tool for community empowerment and environmental regeneration.

Here are some examples of how we’ve seen mining create positive change:

• Reforestation in Madagascar: Mining revenues have funded large-scale reforestation projects that restore biodiversity and combat the damage caused by other industries.

• Sustainable Agriculture in Brazil: Former mining sites are transformed into thriving agroforestry systems, benefiting both the environment and local food security.

We are proud to work with partners who treat mining as an opportunity to improve—not exploit—the land and communities they touch.

Why Ethical Sourcing Is Not Enough

Even the term “ethical sourcing” feels inadequate to describe what we do. For us, it’s about far more than just meeting a basic standard. It’s about leading the way in transparency, fairness, and sustainability while challenging the status quo of an industry rife with exploitation.

While some may prioritize low costs or flashy marketing, we prioritize:

• Building direct relationships with small-scale miners and cooperatives.

• Empowering local communities to take control of their livelihoods.

• Restoring the land and preserving its biodiversity for future generations.

This approach isn’t the easiest or the cheapest, but it’s the right one.