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I have always been very fussy about the quality of the gemstones and crystals I use in the jewellery I design for Charms Of Light®, and in the crystal carvings I sell.
When I purchase my gemstone beads, I get them in bulk so that I have enough to play and design with over a long period of time. This means that stocks of some of my gemstone beads have lasted for years!
I get my gemstone carvings in bulk as well, to make sure there is enough to go around for my customers.
The best Lapis Lazuli has always come from Afghanistan. The quality cannot be denied. The rich looking pyrite veins enhance the beautiful intense deep blue colouring of Lapis Lazuli, making it a very popular gemstone over many thousands of years.
I have always been very fussy about only using stones that are genuine, and ethically sourced. I will only purchase from suppliers who I believe to be as ethically minded as I am.
I am currently completely out of stock of Lapis Lazuli crystal carvings, and have been for a while. I am also now getting low in stock of Lapis Lazuli gemstone beads, which means I have to carefully think about what to do.
It is known that back in 2016, reports of corruption appeared in the press about mineral resources in Afghanistan, in particular its Lapis Lazuli mines. The BBC published an article, called “Corruption soils Afghanistan's bright blue treasure“. The article exposes that “more than 50% of the revenue that is coming out of the mine is being handed straight on to the Taliban”.
This goes so against the grain for me!
I can assure you, I am NOT currently purchasing any Lapis Lazuli in any form and haven't for quite some time. However, whilst I do still have some very old Lapis Lazuli stocks in my gemstone bead collection, I will continue to use them and create with them until I have none left.
My ethical values remain as high as they have always been, but holding on to my Lapis beads, or throwing them away, isn't going to change matters.
As mentioned above, the best quality Lapis comes from Afghanistan. It can however also be found in Russia, Chile, and Pakistan, although the quality does vary quite a bit.
Once my stocks are gone though, they will be gone, and until I can find Lapis Lazuli from an ethical source, in a quality I am happy with, I will not be purchasing it again.
Whilst Afghanistan has some of the oldest Lapis Lazuli mines in the world, it isn’t the only semi-precious stone mined there.
Its other stones include:
Thankfully, I am able to obtain these gemstones from other sources that are ethical.
♥ Inner truth ♥ Inner power ♥ Love ♥ Purification ♥ Intuition ♥ Positive magic ♥ Self-confidence ♥ Manifestation ♥ Friendship
For Lapis Lazuli designs that are currently available please see Lapis Lazuli Healing Jewellery & Crystals.
Blessings,
Caryl ♥
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