Should we stop using crystals?

[Sad_Dragonfruit7077]

For most witches respecting and taking care of the Earth is very important in our practices, so why do we buy crystals if they are a non-renewable resource, harvesting processes violate human rights, and cause extreme environmental harm? if you work with crystals, how/why do you justify this? is there really a way for crystals to be sustainably harvested?

this post is not meant to offend anyone, but it is meant to spark a discussion on how we can be more environmentally friendly in our practices

Discussion

[brunbruin]

How are they a non-renewable resource? Or did you mean the rate at which they’re being consumed is unsustainable? The latter I’d agree with because the earth is making crystals all over the place right this very minute. You can even grow your own crystals if you want to. I’m fortunate to live in an area where I can rockhound my own crystals. I don’t think we should stop using crystals, but it’s really important to find a good source if you can’t rockhound or grow your own. There are a lot of Mom & Pop small mines, especially in the Western US, that are humanely run & highly regulated at both the state and federal levels for environmental standards that are a lot better to buy from than sketchy companies operating mines in 3rd world countries using child slave labor & just raping the environment.

[EngineerFar4442]

I say, if the thought of using crystals upsets you this much, don’t use them. The use of crystals goes back hundreds of years and will continue into the future for as long as people want to have them. Crystals are like mushrooms, they will grow (slowly) wherever the conditions are right. There are also people out there who harvest them both sustainably and humanely. I would advise knowing the source of the crystals to know if you want to support that source financially.

[Anaklet]

i usually buy one of each, and for some i have duplicates if i need it, like for example, i have two malachite tumbles and i dont feel the need to buy more, i think its okay if people buy crystals they need, i think it becomes a problem when people start hoarding, like i once saw a girl whose bedroom was literally filled with amethyst, like surely over a 100 pieces were there, i think thats a bit wrong, also why would you need that many anyway

[lappy-lazuli]

The shop I go to promised ethical sourcing

[TaterThought2]

I only use stones that I collect myself. If I find something at a goodwill or uses store ill buy it as the money doesn’t go back into the industry.

[germflux2020]

I’ve stopped buying crystals after a few years into my practice bc not only are they expensive, but most shops don’t guarantee ethical sourcing (and I have no real use for crystals in my practice now, since practicing for almost a full decade next year).

I’ve found that literally in my backyard is quartz (like they’re obviously very dirty bc they’ve been in soil). I’m sure back at my parents place the river that runs through their property has some quartz in there as well.

Looking around your area to find crystals shouldn’t be too hard, you just have to look in the right places.

Now the majority of the rocks I find I leave, I’ve only picked maybe three from our current property bc I felt something with them. TBH that’s how I feel we should be picking crystals is based on feeling (and a budget if you’re shopping) rather than “look how pretty” (also based on if we’re solely talking about actually using the crystals in our practices rather based on aesthetics alone; which I have done based on aesthetics before but I only wanted them based on how pretty they were and not bc I was going to use them in workings).

[SunnyDGardenGirl]

I don’t think we should stop using them but we need to be more intentional in where we get them. Please don’t support the $20 a scoop tick tockers or buy lots of rocks just because. Personally the VAST majority of my crystals found me at flea markets. And I’m not talking a vendor with all crystals cause they likely got those for cheap from somewhere online. I’m talking someone with a bunch of random stuff and there’s beautiful agate plate. Or chunk of tigereye. Or a citrine heart. Lol. it’s amazing the things you can find digging through piles of randomness. Plus they will usually cost way less in those cases.

[thatonechick6234]

Most of my crystals my brother found for me haha,he was super into geology and when he got over it he gave the ones he found to me, I have bought crystals(ones I cannot find naturally in my area) but I have always bought from local businesses(I know that doesn’t equal ethically sourced) but honestly people can just lie about if they are. Most everyday people do not think about if they are ethically sourced tbh. I’m glad you were actually nice and not coming from a judgemental stance,I posted a meme one time in a Facebook group chat and this girl was hateful(calling people names and overall had that im better than everyone bc im spiritual ego that some people get) this community isn’t here to be hateful,you can educate others without being rude. I actually have never met as many nice people as I have since practicing and I love this community.(sorry I went on a tagent) we all are here to be educated and honestly I haven’t bought anymore new crystals once I found out about how a lot of companies come across getting them. I am more of an herbal witch anyways,I just loved the energy aspect of crystals but there are plenty of things you can get energy from. I will also try to just stick to finding my own in my area as we do have multiple ones here.

[lowfat_mayonnaise]

I personally think it’s important to take into account the ethics behind crystal purchases. Many crystals are mined by adults and children in horrible conditions, etc. I have purchased crystals in the past but now refuse to purchase any more unless they are ethically sourced. I am lucky enough to be able to collect crystals myself and now choose to do that instead of buying any. ✨

[WitchinAntwerpen]

I started buying from Etsy sellers who collect them themselves! It’s a way of still getting crystals I need, whilst supporting small businesses, and encouraging the self-mining part of crystals. Biggest downside is that there’s not a massive amount available, and it definitely is limited in the type of crystals you can get this way.

Doesn’t mean I don’t cave in sometimes; only last week did I buy some crystals I had my eyes on for years at a local store. I definitely ain’t no saint!

[Twisted_Wicket]

I e put a lot of thought into that as well. I quit buying crystals, and headed more towards herbal practices. I still use crystals, because I have a bunch, and I reuse them.

[fallenwish88]

On a side note there is a similar situation with Himalayan pink salt. Not always ethically sourced and also not all are genuine. Saw a cool little video on how to tell the difference, if I find it I will add it.

I definitely agree with mindful consumerism and sourcing

[Meztl]

I know this isn’t an option for a lot of people, but the vast majority of my crystals were found by me when camping. I was staying at my uncle’s ranch in the mountains, so it was allowed for me to take any rock I wanted. Honestly, I didn’t even have to look for them, they were literally just sitting there.

Idk but I like finding my own crystals and just buying very specific crystals (that I can’t find by myself) that interest me. Obviously trying not to buy more than what you realistically need.

So I pretty much treat crystals and buying crystals like clothes and fast fashion.

[strawberrykes]

This reminds me of something I think about a lot: washing dishes and saving trees by not buying paper plates or saving water by using paper plates which can be recycled.

Both have an impact, but it matters how mindful you are. Thank you for reminding us to be mindful ☀️

[MysteriousPhoenix13]

I get my crystals from a person from my country (I live in Germany) who collected them travelling through Europe. He is a mineralogist and only now sells some of is crystals cause he has way too many. He knows where he found the individual Crystal even the ones he found 30 years ago, so sometimes is feels like he is just giving them away for fair prices because he wants them to have good homes where they are admired in their beauty instead of not really being seen cause his collection is so big. He’s really nice and I love how he shares the history of is crystals.
I know I’m really lucky to have the opportunity to get my crystals from him and I wish for all of you that you find a person like that as well. For all the witches in Germany, I can give you his contact^^