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. 

Intrinsic Trading is a new supplier I use for gemstones, and I've loved their dedication to providing really high quality gemstones with incredible clarity. They're transparent about their mining process and the relationships they foster with their mine partners around the world. Here you can read about their sustainable development, responsible manufacturing, and fair trade practices. 

Lima Beads is also a new supplier I've started getting gemstones from in 2025 - their quality and care are what they pride themselves on. What started as a small, close-knit team of three in an apartment has blossomed into a successful warehouse in Ann Arbor, MI. As an artist and the sole member of Flux Studio, I respect their drive and determination to build Lima Beads to what it is today! Their story is here to read, which started in 2003, for you to get to know their team and understand why they love their work so much. 

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.