Sourcing

The Freshwater Pearls I use come from Fire Mountain Gems - "as a charter member of the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association), Fire Mountain Gems and Beads abides by AGTA's code of ethics." "The majority (of pearls) sold from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® are cultured freshwater pearls grown in Southeast China. Maintaining a close relationship with Chinese pearl farmers helps keep us up-to-date on the pearl market, quality, trends and providing our customers with the best value." Read more about the Pearls that Fire Mountain Gems offers, here.  

My gemstones are generally from Dakota Stones, with some from Rio Grande. Dakota Stones has decades of expertise and has developed trusted relationships with their partners, staying informed during the sourcing and manufacturing process of their gemstones. Their owner of 22 years, Jeff Elvin, visits and stays in their factories during the design process. 

Rio Grande is my go-to resource for high-quality hypoallergenic metal supplies and gemstones, and they even offer jewelry recycling services. Among the many incredible things that Rio Grande stands for, they received a certification as part of the RJC (Responsible Jewelry Council): they're dedicated to sourcing their products ethically and working only with partners who share their values. Read more about Rio Grande's mission and unwavering commitment to offering "conflict free" diamonds, ethical metals, and a supportive community.