Mother of pearl has been used so extensively in fashion and decor for good reason. This gemstone is simply versatile and uniquely beautiful.
However, the more people start concerning themselves with responsible purchasing, the more they tend to get interested in ethics, especially when it comes to where the mother of pearl comes from.
The following blog will cover a few of the ethical considerations of sourcing mother of pearl, including the environmental implications, animal welfare effects, and labor practices.
Environmental Concerns
One needs to be careful when buying gems like the mother of pearls because these come from the shells of mollusks, thus they need to be concerned about the marine life balance. Here are some environmental concerns they need to be careful about:
- Sustainability Issues
The source of the mother of pearl gemstone also raises substantial concerns about sustainability. The gem is gathered from wild populations that can be highly detrimental and even accelerate the depletion of mollusk populations.
These unsustainable practices can cause huge destruction in the marine ecosystem because not only are the species affected but also the surroundings. Some countries have implemented strict policies to see to the sustainability of mollusk harvesting.
New Zealand is one such country, with quota management systems on its abalone fisheries. Consequently, the population regenerates between the harvests.
- Waste Minimization Efforts
Mother of pearl gems available today is mainly from waste generated by the seafood industry. The shells of oysters and abalones are typically discarded when their meat or pearls are being taken.
Using these shells for these gems provides a means to recover waste and foster a circular economy. This process reduces environmental degradation as materials that otherwise would be wasted are used.
Other gems extracted from marine areas are pearls and corals.
Animal Welfare Issues
One needs to be careful about animal welfare when buying mother of pearl gems as it affects the marine ecosystem. Some of the concerns are:
- Impact on Mollusks
The harvesting process kills mollusks and thus raises ethical questions about animal welfare. Therefore, careless harvesting may destroy habitats, thereby affecting other species of marine life.
Methods of sourcing should be ethical to aspects that ensure the lowest damage to the populations of mollusks and their ecosystems.
- Certification and Transparency
Animal welfare concerns are also addressed through some brands in terms of adopting transparency in sourcing practices, where their materials come from responsible suppliers. And mother of pearl products carries indications of certified sustainable practices.
Labor Practices
When buying gems like the mother of pearls which also require labor work, one needs to be careful about these:
- Consideration of Fair Trade
Poor working and living conditions, low wages, and exploitation of workers in the regions where mollusks are harvested have been a common sight in many areas. Fairtrade organizations push for better labor practices in industries that depend on natural resources.
As a consumer, you can contribute to making conditions better by supporting fair trade-certified brands that sell this gemstone.
- Consumer Awareness
The renewed awareness of labor issues in many industries means an increased demand for transparency in the sourcing and making of products. Ethical choices on the part of consumers can help change things within the industry.
Read also: Pearl Vs Coral: Benefits and Differences.
Making Ethical Choices
Here are a few tips on making ethical choices when buying mother of pearl gems:
- Be aware of which brands share their sourcing practices. If companies care for the issues of sustainability and welfare of animals, information on their sourcing practice is shared.
- Make sure to only shop with items that have fair trade or sustainability certifications.
- Educate yourself to be aware of the environmental footprint and ethical considerations that go into sourcing mother of pearl so you can make the right choice.
Conclusion
The ethics of mother of pearl sourcing is sustainable, but this gets quickly mixed up with animal welfare and further, labor practices. Consumers need to know what they are purchasing.
The consciousness of what we buy and where it comes from will help create a better future while appreciating the beauty that mother of pearl provides. This is all about the ethical considerations of sourcing mother of pearl.