On Gemstones
Autenticity
Sustainibilty
Fair Trade
Gemstones and jewelry are a luxury. It's up to us to make sure that luxury has transparency, beyond the eye.
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The gem industry, particularly in the West, is overwhelmingly disconnected from the source.
At MCnelly Reliquary, the aim is to:
Support Independent miners and traders around the world
Create a space and demand for "alternitive" gemstones, to reduce stress on the industry and the Earth
Sourcing Stones
The Mcnelly Way
The way gemstones are acquired is integral to the impact made on the greater industry. Every gemstone brought here is done so with detail and intent, under the following model;
Gemstones are ONLY sourced from TRUSTED small scale independent traders around the world (many of whom at the source)
Asking price is always paid when working with direct miners and traders.
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If I didn't cut the gem, It is priced accordingly.​
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All stones are cut by hand, either here or by seasoned lapidary artists around the world.
(this lets us make the most of natural gems, support global artists, and offer a variety in both quality and price) ​
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The process of bringing gemstones to the surface is a messy one, and it is important profits are not siphoned into silk pockets.
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Bargaining, talking down, & ignoring the power dynamic of currencies contradicts what MCnelly Reliquary stands for.
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Profit gauging material acquired from devolping nations, or those in need, is not only frowned upon, but is part of the reason the Reliquary has came to be
Not perfect, but it's a start
As I am a one man show, have no formal ties, connections or history with the industry, making a change is a slow one. While I take pride in offering gemstones with transparency beyond the eye, by no means am I near where I would like to be. Until I am able to visit various mines, miners, and traders in person, I'm not going to pretend as though I have the system perfected, or the underbelly fully face up.
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Why no lab stones?
While the mining of natural stones can perpetuate the negative toll on the Earth, there is nuance to the issue. While synthetic, created gemstones may seem like a more sustainable ethical option, this is not always the case.
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Non-industrial scale mining is still alive and well, and it plays a vital economic and cultural role to many. By supporting smaller scale miners, we can shift the demand away from large mining operations.
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There is no shortage of already availible, colored stones.
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Lab grown stones offer an idealized "perfect" crystal, devoid of both rarity but also uniqueness. They use abundance of energy to produce in large quantities. MCnelly Reliquary is focused on natural gems, especially those ignored by the industry, to make use of as much of the Earth's gems as possible.
A stone which has been catching dust for years, is a significantly more meaningful option compared to an warehouse grown gemstone.
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As the Reliquary grows, so does our impact
In these early phases of MCnelly Reliquary, every bit of engagement (sales or not) help pioneer a more connected and ethical industry.
Things are constantly growing as I aim to connect with more like minded gem friends, all over the globe. ​
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Stay tuned as the transparency grows, in the pursuit of a better industry.