Crystals may be good for our well-being, but buying them could have a negative impact on people and our planet.

Not only are crystals beautiful, but they are also believed to emit beneficial, uplifting, healing, and calming vibrations.

We are intuitively drawn to natural gemstones and healing crystals for our gua-shas (see our AM/PM Beauty Set), face rollers, candle inclusions, drinking water, bathing rituals, yoni eggs, and more, seeking to help enhance our well-being and overall health.

On a purely esthetic level, who doesn’t own a variety of natural gemstones and crystals as part of the decor in their home?

Yes, they make us feel good, they look beautiful, they give us the impression that we are connected to the natural world… but do we know the effect that our never-ending demand for health and wellness tools and accessories have on the environment and countries we source them from?

First of all, there is no Fair-Trade Certification for crystals… Our beloved crystals come from some of the poorest regions of the world, and the way that they are extracted, the environmental havoc that mining creates, and the dangers that the people who extract them face, are well beyond our awareness. So let’s stop for a moment and be mindful of the consequences of our lifestyles.

If you think one more crystal won’t make much of a difference, think again. Numbers add up really fast. In the US, demand for overseas crystals and gemstones has more than doubled over the past three years, and quartz imports have doubled since 2014 (The Guardian).

Hashtags like #crystals and #healingcrystals are used in the tens of millions.

If you look up the word “crystals” on Etsy, you get 3,353,256 results (as of today).

As a skincare artisan who uses natural gemstone gua-shas, I am seriously questioning the benefits of using these beautiful stones versus the negative environmental impact that they might have.

And as the owner of a green-certified business, I am constantly searching for more sustainable options.

So when I discovered opalite, a man-made glass substitute for opal or moonstone gemstones, I couldn’t wait to share it with my clients. It is really pretty, has almost a vintage feel, and works well as a gua sha! Moving forward, when our supply of gemstone gua-shas sells out, we will be offering more eco-friendly alternatives, such as opalite. . Would you consider switching to opalite when purchasing our AM/PM Beauty Set?

Your opinion truly matters. If this compels you to change your purchasing habits, please let us know and leave a comment when you have a minute. Thank you!