Nyree Brough Discusses Ethics in the Crystal Industry

Spiritual Growth

Apr 18

10 Minute Read

Key Takeaways

The energetic journey that a crystal experiences can impact the level of energies and vibrations that a crystal can operate at.
The crystal mineral market is booming but there are no regulations governing the buying and selling of crystals.
A well-treated, ethical crystal has a higher vibration and better opportunity to provide healing energies than one that has been through trauma.

We are thrilled to welcome Nyree Brough as a Woo School educator. She is as passionate about education and ethics as she is about the healing energies of crystals. We spoke about what she has learned since fully launching her business in 2021, and what we all should know about sourcing ethical crystals.

You left your corporate job in 2021 to launch Crystal Auras and become a crystal retailer. What led to that big life change?

I have always been drawn to crystals since I was a child. As a child, I visited a local shop brimming with magical spiritual tools and crystals, akin to a sweet shop for most children that were at my age. Mesmerized by the variety of crystals, I began collecting them, although I lacked a full understanding of their energies and potential. Despite this, my passion for crystals remained unwavering, and I often found comfort in holding them during challenging times, even if I didn’t fully grasp the reasons behind it.

It wasn’t until later in life, during my battle with breast cancer, that I turned to crystals as a source of support. Following my recovery, I delved deep into spirituality, crystal energies, and healing. Through this exploration, I came to recognize the immense power of energies, as well as the need for authentic education in this field and the significance of ethical practices when working with crystals. I always felt the energies of crystals that were ethically sourced felt stronger and higher in vibration, which really makes sense when you think about energies universally. When animals, plants and humans are at their healthiest they can deliver stronger energies and operate at their best.

”I believe that everything is energy.”

Driven by my belief in the power of energy, I immersed myself in learning, collaborating with various experts and attending workshops with renowned authors. I became a certified Reiki master, delved into spiritualism, and pursued studies in Feng Shui with the goal of becoming an International Feng Shui Consultant. Education and spiritual growth are integral to my identity, fueling my journey towards understanding the profound energies that drive healing crystals and prioritizing ethics and authenticity in my practice.

“No one else in the crystal market was talking about energies, ethics & delivering education authentically.”

This is what led to the BIG LIFE CHANGE, there was literally thousands of crystal sellers and live sales, but no one was really talking about the crystals. I knew that’s what I wanted to deliver. I wanted to create a crystal provider that could provide the information and the service I would personally want that wasn’t currently out there.

How did you make the transition into the crystals business?

In 2020, amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, Crystal Auras emerged, marking the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey driven by a profound passion. As the world underwent transformative changes, I seized the opportunity to embark on a path aligned with my spiritual awakening and what I believe is my soul purpose.

This pivotal moment prompted me to make the bold decision in 2021 to transition away from my corporate career, fully committing myself to what I perceive as my soul’s calling: Crystal Auras. Recognizing the importance of ethical practices and authenticity in an industry lacking regulation, I embarked on a journey of knowledge acquisition on the crystal market. Over the course of two years, I dedicated myself to extensive research, seeking insights from reputable sources such as non-profit organizations and museums. By immersing myself in their principles, which prioritize integrity over profit, I honed my ability to ask pertinent questions and make informed decisions.

This approach enabled me to identify and forge partnerships with suppliers whose values resonate with the ethos of Crystal Auras, shaping the foundation of our core values and overarching vision.

There are wholesalers that you can just order crystals from, assume they have done the research, and start a crystal retail business rather quickly. It sounds like you took a much more thoughtful approach.

I made it my mission to offer a unique crystal service that was absent in the market – one that I, as a crystal enthusiast, would truly appreciate. Essentially, it boils down to instilling confidence in customers regarding the authenticity of their crystals, ensuring they emanate positive energies, providing educational insights about each crystal, and maintaining transparency regarding their ethical sourcing journey. Furthermore, prioritizing high quality and fair pricing.

However, delving deeper into the crystal industry revealed a multitude of issues within the supply chain. While this discovery added to my workload in terms of research and sourcing, it also strengthened my determination to positively impact the crystal market. I believe in empowering customers with knowledge about ethical purchasing practices and the energetic properties of crystals, drawing from my own experiences. I personally believe the energetic journey that a crystal experience can impact the level of energies and vibrations that a crystal can operate at.

Central to our ethos is transparency regarding the quality and grading of our crystals, as well as fair pricing. Unlike perishable goods, crystals have no expiration date, so discounting or slashing prices undermines their true market value and promotes irresponsible sourcing practices. It baffles me how such practices have become normalized, when in reality, they exploit miners and distort fair market prices. While acknowledging the commercial aspect of being a crystal provider, my motivation stems from a spiritual connection rather than solely profit-driven intentions. This ethos sets Crystal Auras apart – we prioritize authenticity, ethics, and customer empowerment, over maximizing profits.

You have mentioned the various problems in the crystal market supply chain. Can you share what some of those problems are?

In simple terms, there are no regulations governing the buying and selling of crystals, meaning anyone can engage in this trade without qualifications or experience. The crystal mineral market is booming, worth billions of dollars, but it’s rife with concerning issues:

• Workers endure inhumane conditions
• The environment suffers serious impacts
• Vulnerable customers face exploitation
• Animal cruelty is prevalent
• Misleading information and education misguide buyers
• Fake and enhanced crystals flood the market
• Illegal operations and bankrupt businesses abound
• Human, drug, and sex trafficking are associated
• And much more.

While some political issues impacting countries like Burma, Afghanistan, and Congo receive media attention, there’s a lack of understanding about different mining sectors and their ethical implications, such as Industrial Mining, Mineral Mining, and Gem Mining.

The biggest misconception is that unethical crystals are limited to “Conflict Crystals” from specific regions like Burma, Afghanistan, and Congo. However, unethical practices occur worldwide, varying even within regions and individual mines. Another common misconception is the belief that ethics don’t exist in this market. Ethics, however, are crucial and encompass how we treat people and the environment.

Customers and sellers should focus on the ethics of individual crystals rather than what’s absent from a seller’s offerings. They should inquire about the crystal’s background and sourcing process, asking about supplier visits, background checks, and adherence to ethical codes of conduct.

Wow, it is a lot to consider. I have heard about conflict minerals and know that some say certain crystals or minerals shouldn’t even be purchased. Is that your understanding?

I don’t think it is that simple. Some companies resort to fear tactics to grab attention, or they oversimplify matters with broad statements that sidestep the complexities of responsible sourcing. It’s imperative that companies claiming ethical practices also invest in transparent reporting, including detailing what they do and providing insight into the specific countries they source from, such as Colombia, Madagascar, Mexico, Russia, etc. It’s essential to showcase the diverse practices within each country and the variations in ethical standards across different operations and crystals.

For instance, some companies advise against purchasing Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s control. While it’s true the Taliban seized power in 2021, it’s misleading for companies that have never sourced from Afghanistan nor visited the country to suddenly claim expertise on its politics and issues. I personally collaborate with a small family-run supplier who have sourced for over 20 years from another family operation near the Pakistan border, where generations have relied on mining Lapis Lazuli for their livelihood. They employ ethical practices, eschewing dynamite, and are deeply rooted in their community.

Blanket statements condemning all Afghan Lapis Lazuli would harm families like the one I work with, who have amassed stockpiles over generations due to the region’s volatility. This family labors meticulously, taking considerable time to cut, carve, and polish each crystal. Even my own inventory includes Lapis Lazuli sourced years ago, challenging the narrative that all on the market is newly mined and taxed by the Taliban. It’s crucial to approach sourcing on a case-by-case basis, with thorough investigation and transparency ensuring an ethical supply chain. Fear-based tactics have no place in this process, as fostering trust and understanding is paramount.

I just want to be clear that Crystal Auras does not endorse purchasing ‘Conflict Minerals’ but do endorse that ALL minerals should be understood and researched in the same manner to truly understand the ethical background of that crystal. Ethics apply to all minerals and unethical practices are happening globally in every country.

If someone buys a crystal, they don’t know where it came from or how it was mined, is it as valuable or effective as an ethically mined crystal?

From the standpoint of market value, the crystal would perhaps be worth the same amount of money. But I believe that like everything, crystals are energy. And, certainly a crystal mined in poor conditions by people that are being treated poorly will not have the same energy as one that has been mined in positive conditions. For example, I would never say that one human being is less valuable than another human being. But, if one person is going through trauma, grief, or having health issues, they are not going to be able to deliver the highest levels of energies in comparison to the energies they have when they are in a more focused or healthier place. When it comes to crystals, I believe it is similar. Many people who are seeking crystals are in a vulnerable situation and are looking for healing energies. I believe a well-treated, ethical crystal has a higher vibration and better opportunity to provide healing energies than one that has been through trauma.

So when people shop for crystals, what should they consider if they want to be ethical?

I strongly recommend taking the time to carefully select a provider or supplier, that aligns with your values and standards. Inquire about their supply chain practices, including the extent of their ethical investigations. It’s crucial to ask whether they adhere to a code of ethics or simply rely on assurances from wholesalers. Additionally, inquire about their environmental policies. Beware of individuals who evade your questions, talk about crystals that they don’t provide has a means of demonstrating ethics or resort to fear tactics.

In the realm of crystal selling, wholesaling, and crystal trade fairs, everyone is navigating their own path, and it’s not our place to pass judgment in an industry that lacks regulation. If a crystal provider fails to offer satisfactory evidence to inspire confidence, it’s best to walk away.

Always trust your intuition when selecting a crystal, rather than solely relying on recommendations, or driven by discounted offers. I firmly believe that everyone should have access to the profound healing energies and benefits that crystals offer. My aim isn’t to deter anyone but to welcome them into this world and raise awareness so that together, we can foster a positive future for the industry.

Interested in learning more about crystals? How to connect with Nyree Brough:

Read Nyree Woo School educator page here.
Visit Crystal Auras website here.
Learn more about Crystal Auras sourcing and ethical code.
Follow her on Instagram here.