What Does Ethical Mean to You

You’re probably accustomed to seeing words like natural, fresh, and clean printed on product packaging during your weekly trips to the grocery store. Because these terms are not regulated, they can have little real meaning when it comes to ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing practices. The same is true in the jewelry industry. And it’s for this exact reason that we’re careful about the words we use to represent our jewelry.

While reflecting upon meaningful ways to share our thoughts on this topic with our treasured clients, we happened across a social post by gemologist Victoria Raynaud of Magus Gems, whose message poignantly articulates just how we feel.

As with food and cleaning brands, there are several words increasingly used by jewelry brands that we find especially tricky—ethical, fair-trade, and sustainable are among them. And we, like Raynaud, believe that trust, transparency, and nuance are essential for distinguishing genuine claims around gems from ‘greenwashing’ intended to appeal to the consumer’s conscience. It’s why we encourage you, whether shopping with NIXIN or elsewhere, to ask revealing questions to help you make informed decisions about the pieces you invest in.

If you were to ask me, Are NIXIN opals ethical?, you may not receive a simple or conclusive answer. Depending on the piece, I might say This opal was sourced from an artisanal miner I met at the Lightning Ridge Show, or from a treasured opal cutting family who used to fly miners to their claims. In these instances, because of the personal relationships bridged and the few degrees of separation from the source, I personally consider these opals ethical. But that’s the thing about ethics, they’re deeply personal. While I place a high value on Australia’s strict mining laws and practices and have built relationships with partners who align with my own morals, the truth is always more nuanced.

Victoria Raynaud has an incredible knack for articulating the 'gray areas' of the gem world. These excerpts from her message perfectly capture our own sentiments:

Ultimately, we choose not to brand our website or label our jewelry as “ethical”—not because it isn’t or because we don’t believe in those values, but because the word means something different to everyone. It’s a blanket term, often used too carelessly. Instead, we choose to focus on building trust and transparency—both with you and with the partners who help us source and create our pieces. That’s why I meet with my suppliers in person at the Tucson Gem Show (even when I need no stones) and why I traveled to Australia this past summer, where I got this Opal…

… and specifically why I trekked to the Lightning Ridge Opal Show while there. We believe that building real relationships, with trust as our baseline, is the only way to ensure our decisions—and our jewelry—truly align with what we believe in. So if you love color, creativity, and unique jewelry, stay awhile, come explore, and let’s connect!