Nuestras piedras preciosas y semipreciosas
We say no to mined stones and prefer to promote ethical lab-grown stones! We offer a wide selection of gemstones (diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies), as well as many semi-precious stones in a great variety of colors. Since 2016, we have chosen to offer our customers only lab-grown stones. The vibrant colors of the gemstones AGUAdeORO bring joy and are free from any trace of misfortune associated with traditional mining.
Los márgenes de reventa de zafiros en Madagascar pueden alcanzar el 400 %.
¿Pero por qué?
The mining of precious and semi-precious stones leads to social and ecological problems. Indeed, these stones attract greed, and corruption and conflicts rage in the regions where they are extracted. Ravaged by these issues, the communities involved in these operations suffer greatly and struggle to escape from persistent poverty. The people extracting these gems receive only a tiny fraction of what they are worth at resale, which keeps them in a more than precarious situation. These communities are therefore faced with numerous difficulties and are primarily victims of practices that disadvantage them.
Sapphire miners in Madagascar are paid 2 dollars a day
Moreover, extraction destroys vast areas of natural land resources, with long-term and large-scale impacts on the environment. It encroaches on the natural habitats of animals, decreasing wild animal populations. Extraction also creates greenhouse gases that significantly contribute to climate change and air and water pollution, forever altering the living conditions on site.
In order to avoid endorsing such practices, we have decided to source exclusively from cultured stones. Traceable and ethical, these stones guarantee a fairer world without compromising on the splendor they reveal. Thus, using this alternative allows for greater respect for nature and society.
Muchos mineros en Madagascar son menores de 18 años.
A gem is said to be cultured when it is made by human hands that replicate natural conditions in a controlled environment. Having the same chemical footprint as their mined counterparts, cultured stones now bring a fresh breeze to the world of jewelry and allow for a responsible and ethical choice when acquiring a piece of jewelry. But what about the supposed romantic side of a gem from the earth? Indeed, many people believe that stones from mines are more romantic than cultured ones, but if we take into account all the issues related to extraction, the stone loses its charm...
Since May 2016, we have been offering our customers jewelry adorned with cultured stones, making us the first jewelry store in Switzerland and one of the first in Europe to choose this ethical alternative.
