People choose to wear gemstones for various reasons- to redirect specific energies marked by birth planets or transits, to maintain balance in life or to enhance their beauty.
Some people also use gems as part of their spiritual practices. They incorporate gemstones into rituals to restore energy fields, find peace, and promote love and protection. Whereas, in some belief systems, healers actually apply gemstones to certain areas of the body to promote healing.
These Gems are believed to have natural healing power, and the energy generated from the vibrations within these gems is a substitute for the five basic elements (air, water, fire, earth and weather) of the human body. Whereas an imbalance of these five elements leads to the formation of doshas (vath, pitta and kapha) that cause physical and psychological deterioration.
Some believe that gemstones can protect the subtle energy, restore energy fields, gain peace and promote love and safety. Such as jade for courage, amethyst for improving concentration and rose quartz for love. That's why it is considered important to wear gems to maintain health and mental balance. Similarly, diamonds, rubies and other gemstones have long been prized for the beauty they bring to engagement rings and other fine jewellery.
They are also being added to skin care formulations today, making these products increasingly popular. The popularity of gemstone beauty treatments skyrocketed at the start of 2021 and continues to grow. Some common crystals, gemstones and metals used in skin care products include: amethyst, tourmaline, rose quartz, jade, gold, peridot and ruby.
There may be many reasons for using gems, but do you know the ugly story behind some of the world’s most precious stones; you may not have even thought about the harsh conditions in which these pretty materials are mined.
Gemstones are often mined in challenging and sometimes dire conditions. Specific conditions may vary depending on the location and type of gemstone being mined.
Many gemstone deposits are found in remote and isolated regions, such as jungles, mountains, deserts, or underwater. Miners often have to travel long distances and face difficult terrain to reach these locations, which can lack basic infrastructure and support services.
In addition, some gemstone mining regions experience harsh weather conditions, including extreme heat, freezing temperatures, heavy rainfall, or storms. These conditions can make mining operations more dangerous and challenging.
In many cases, gemstone mining takes place in economically underdeveloped areas with limited resources and infrastructure. This can result in inadequate access to clean water, electricity, medical facilities, transportation, and proper waste management systems.
Furthermore, gemstone mining can involve various safety hazards. Miners may work in deep underground mines or open-pit mines that pose risks of cave-ins, landslides, or rock falls. Lack of proper safety equipment, ventilation, and emergency protocols can further increase the risk.
In India, where gemstone mining is prevalent, safety standards and regulations may vary depending on the region and the scale of mining operations. The government and mining authorities strive to enforce safety regulations to protect workers, but enforcement can be challenging, particularly in informal or small-scale mining operations.
It's worth noting that gemstone mining practices and safety standards can vary significantly from one country to another, depending on the level of development, regulatory frameworks, and compliance with international mining standards.
Mining for gems is also problematic from a human rights perspective,
Gemstone mining can have negative effects on human rights in a number of ways. For example, the conditions under which gold and diamonds are mined are associated with cruel and exploitative practices, including child labor, unsafe working conditions, and low wages. These dire situations can be prevalent in some areas, especially where regulations and enforcement are weak.
Child labor is also involved in the cutting and polishing phase of both diamond and colored gemstone production, much of which takes place in Asia; according to the ILO, India alone polishes 70 percent (by weight) of the global diamonds yield. In her book Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Empire (The Disinformation Company, 2003), Janine Roberts explains, "Child labor is illegal in India, but this law is much ignored. Sharp young eyes are much prized by Indian diamond traders."
Moreover, The gemstone supply chain can be complex and involve multiple intermediaries, making it difficult to trace the origin of gemstones and ensure ethical practices. This lack of transparency can perpetuate human rights abuses, as it becomes challenging to hold accountable those responsible for violations.
Gemstone mining can involve harsh and exploitative working conditions, such as long hours, exposure to dangerous substances, inadequate safety measures, and lack of access to proper healthcare. Miners may not receive fair wages or benefits, leading to economic exploitation.
In some countries, profits from diamond sales have funded weapons purchases for armed opposition groups, which perpetuate human rights abuses. For instance, the mining of certain gemstones has been linked to severe human-rights violations and environmental harm in countries such as Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Matter does not stop here, mining for gems can encroach on indigenous lands, leading to the displacement of indigenous communities and violation of their rights, including their right to self-determination, cultural protection and access to natural resources.
Actually companies never buy such stones directly from the mines, they buy from resellers and traders so a crystal can have a dozen different owners before you buy it. And because the supply chains are long and complex and affected by the same lack of regulation that makes the industry so ripe for exploitation, it also means that so many traces of where our products come from are erased.
Jewelry companies have a responsibility to ensure that their businesses do not contribute to human rights abuses at any point in their supply chains. Under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, businesses have to put in place “human rights due diligence”—a process to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for their own impact on human rights throughout their supply chain. However, by the time a piece of jewelry is offered for sale, it may be very difficult to know the origins of the gold or diamonds it contains, or whether they are tainted by human rights abuses or environmental harms.
Serious ecological and health consequences of gemstone extraction,
The mining of raw materials to make precious stones can pose several health risks to miners and the surrounding communities due to various factors involved in the extraction process. Some of the potential health risks associated with gemstone mining include:
Gemstone mining often involves drilling, blasting, and crushing rocks, which generates a significant amount of dust and particulate matter. Long-term exposure to these airborne particles can cause respiratory problems such as silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust.
Miners often engage in physically demanding activities, such as digging, lifting heavy loads, and repetitive motions. These activities can lead to Musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, joint problems, and injuries.
Some gemstone mining processes involve the use of toxic chemicals, such as mercury and cyanide, for extraction and processing. These chemicals can contaminate the air, water sources, and soil, posing risks to the health of miners and nearby communities.
Mining activities can contaminate water sources with chemicals and heavy metals, affecting the quality of drinking water. This contamination increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and gastrointestinal disease.
The use of chemicals like mercury and cyanide in gemstone extraction and processing can result in toxic exposure to miners and local populations. These chemicals are often used in the process of separating valuable minerals from ores, and improper handling can lead to severe health problems.
Mining environments can be hazardous that cause severe physical injuries, with the risk of accidents such as cave-ins, collapses, and falls from heights. Improperly secured tunnels, lack of proper equipment, and unstable rock formations can all contribute to accidents and injuries.
Not only this, mining operations often involve the use of heavy machinery, which generates loud noise levels. Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can lead to hearing loss and other hearing-related problems among miners.
The challenging and often isolated working conditions of mining can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Miners might also face social isolation due to working in remote locations.
In some regions, mining activities can lead to the spread of infectious diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene conditions. This can be particularly concerning when miners live and work in close quarters.
Miners face various occupational hazards during gemstone mining, including injuries from falls, rockslides, and tunnel collapses. The lack of proper safety measures and protective equipment can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Indigenous peoples and other local residents near the mines are forcibly displaced. Not only this, these mines have polluted waterways and soil with toxic chemicals, harming the health and livelihood of all communities.
In some cases, such digging also leads to deaths,
Mining, in general, can be a hazardous industry, and gemstone mining is no exception. Such mining can be found in various regions and countries around the world, and the safety conditions and regulations can vary significantly. However there are certain regions and countries that are associated with higher rates of mortality in gemstone mining, for example:
Some African countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Zambia have significant gemstone mining operations. The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in these regions often faces challenges related to safety, health and labor conditions.
Countries in Southeast Asia, like Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos are known for their gemstone mining activities. In some areas, particularly in remote and informal mining operations, safety standards and working conditions may be inadequate.
South America's countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia have significant gemstone deposits and mining operations. Safety issues, including accidents and fatalities, have been reported in certain mining areas.
Whereas, India has a long history of gemstone mining, particularly for diamonds and colored gemstones. In some regions, such as the state of Rajasthan, where mining is prevalent, reports of accidents and unsafe working conditions are frequent.
Accidents and deaths can occur due to various factors such as unsafe working conditions, lack of proper equipment, insufficient training, or natural disasters in mining areas. The number of fatalities can vary from year to year and across different regions depending on various factors, including safety regulations, enforcement, and mining practices.
Despite of all these serious health, environmental, child labour and human rights violation issues, the business of digging gems is booming globally because “consumers don’t seem to care”. However, efforts are being made by governments, NGOs, and industry stakeholders to improve safety standards and working conditions in the mining sector.
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