Workers come first
A beautiful gemstone does not excuse exploitation. We consider the treatment of the people involved in sourcing, processing and supplying our materials.
Kherish Standards - We do not work with just anyone.
The Kherish Guide to Ethical Gemstone Sourcing
Beautiful Stones Should Never Come at the Expense of People
At Kherish, ethical sourcing is not a marketing phrase added after a gemstone has already been purchased.
It is part of deciding whether we will work with a supplier at all.
We source gemstones carefully and select suppliers based on more than price, convenience or access to a particular stone. Fair and livable wages matter. Workplace safety matters. Employee treatment matters. Responsible sourcing matters. Gemstone quality matters. And a supplier's proven track record matters.
We do not believe beautiful jewelry justifies forced labor, dangerous working environments, abusive employment practices or exploitation anywhere in the supply chain.
Ethically Sourced
Conflict Free
Responsible Mining
Fair Wages
Worker Safety
Employee Treatment
Quality Standards
Vetted Suppliers
Explore Kherish Gemstones
What Ethical Sourcing Means to Kherish
A gemstone is not ethical simply because someone calls it ethical.
We look at the people, practices and history behind the supplier.
Ethical sourcing requires consideration of how materials are obtained, how workers are treated, whether workplaces are safe, whether compensation is fair and livable, whether forced labor or abusive labor practices are involved, and whether the supplier has demonstrated that responsible sourcing is part of how they actually operate.
How the material was sourced matters
We prioritize responsibly sourced and conflict-free materials rather than separating the finished stone from the conditions under which it reached the jewelry trade.
Track record matters
We prefer suppliers with proven histories of reliable, ethical business practices rather than working with an unknown source simply because it offers the lowest price.
Fair and livable compensation
Ethical sourcing begins with people being compensated fairly for the work they perform.
We do not consider extremely cheap materials a success if the price depends on someone else being underpaid or exploited.
Safe working conditions
Mining, cutting and production can involve real physical risks. Suppliers should take worker safety seriously rather than treating injuries or unsafe environments as an acceptable cost of doing business.
Respect for employees
Fair employment is about more than a paycheck. We also care about whether workers are treated with dignity, respect and basic human decency.
No forced or slave labor
Kherish refuses to knowingly work with suppliers using slave labor, forced labor or coercive labor practices.
Responsibly obtained materials
We consider where gemstones and materials originated, how they entered the supply chain and whether the supplier can stand behind the way those materials were obtained.
Ethical does not mean lowering standards
A responsible supplier must also consistently deliver gemstone quality that meets Kherish standards.
We want both: materials we are comfortable sourcing and stones we are proud to put into our jewelry.
Jewelry sourcing creates constant opportunities to chase a lower price.
There will almost always be someone willing to offer a cheaper stone, cheaper labor or cheaper materials.
But the lowest price can hide costs that never appear on an invoice: unsafe workplaces, severely underpaid workers, coercive labor, abusive treatment or materials whose origins cannot be responsibly explained.
Kherish does not believe those hidden costs become acceptable simply because they allow a gemstone to retail for less.
Our goal is not to find the cheapest possible supplier.
Our goal is to find suppliers whose materials, business practices,
reliability and treatment of people meet the standards required
for a long-term Kherish relationship.
What We Will Not Accept
Some sourcing practices are automatic reasons to walk away.
No slave labor
Kherish refuses to knowingly purchase from businesses whose supply chains depend on slavery, forced labor or coercion.
No disregard for worker safety
Serious safety dangers cannot simply be dismissed as the price workers must pay to produce inexpensive gemstones.
No abusive labor tactics
Suppliers who depend on intimidation, abusive treatment or exploitative labor practices are not suppliers we want representing any part of a Kherish product.
A new supplier can make almost any claim during an introduction.
What matters more is what happens over time.
Do materials consistently match what was represented? Is quality reliable? Are sourcing questions answered clearly? Does the supplier stand behind its products? Does the business have a history that supports its claims?
Long-term reliability matters because ethical sourcing is not a one-time conversation. It is an ongoing part of deciding who continues to earn our business.
Where We Prefer to Source
Geography can help us vet a supplier, but a mailing address is never enough.
When practical, Kherish prefers suppliers in locations where we have established relationships, stronger transparency or greater confidence in the businesses we are dealing with.
Established U.S. supplier relationships
California is one of the places Kherish prefers to work with qualified suppliers when appropriate materials are available.
Trusted sourcing relationships
Canadian suppliers are another preferred option when the business, material and sourcing history meet our standards.
Specialized material sources
Hawaii can be particularly useful for specialized natural materials and suppliers whose products fit specific Kherish designs.
Quality-driven sourcing
We also consider suppliers in Japan when their craftsmanship, sourcing practices and product quality meet Kherish standards.
Responsible material relationships
Australia is another region Kherish considers favorably when working with vetted businesses and specialty material sources.
The supplier still has to earn our business
No country automatically makes a supplier ethical. We still look at the individual business, its practices, quality and history before deciding to work together.
Ethical Sourcing Is Not a Country List
A supplier can be responsible or irresponsible almost anywhere.
Kherish's geographic preferences should not be confused with a claim that every business in one country is ethical or every business somewhere else is not.
That is not how ethical sourcing works.
We evaluate the actual supplier. We look at the business relationship. We consider the material. We consider the available sourcing information. We consider consistency, quality and history.
Location can be one factor in that evaluation. It is never the only factor.
| Material Type | What Kherish Considers |
|---|---|
| Moss Agate | Natural gemstone quality, pattern, consistency of representation, supplier practices and responsible sourcing history. |
| Herkimer Diamond | Quartz source, natural character, supplier transparency, quality and reliability. |
| Ruby & Sapphire | Stone quality, representation, sourcing practices, labor concerns and supplier history. |
| Emerald | Quality, sourcing transparency, treatment representation, reliability and ethical supplier standards. |
| Opal | Origin where relevant, stone quality, supplier practices, material representation and long-term reliability. |
| Quartz Varieties | Natural character, correct identification, quality, sourcing pathway and supplier practices. |
| Laboratory-Grown Stones | Accurate representation, production quality, supplier standards and truthful disclosure of what the material is. |
| Natural Inlay Materials | Material origin, legality, responsible sourcing, worker treatment and whether the supplier can document what it is selling. |
Ethics and Quality Are Not Opposites
We expect both.
Responsible sourcing does not mean accepting poorly cut stones, inaccurate descriptions or inconsistent material.
Gemstone quality is one of the factors Kherish considers when selecting and retaining suppliers.
A supplier who treats workers responsibly but repeatedly sends incorrectly represented or poor-quality material is not a suitable long-term supplier.
Likewise, extraordinary gemstone quality does not excuse abusive or exploitative labor practices.
The standard is both.
Responsible sourcing.
Fair treatment.
Safe practices.
Reliable representation.
High-quality materials.
A supplier relationship we can stand behind.
The final piece of jewelry is small. The supply chain behind it may not be.
That is why responsible sourcing requires more than looking at the finished stone and deciding that it is beautiful.
Kherish considers how suppliers operate because the finished product represents more than the person who sets the gemstone into the ring.
When a customer buys a Kherish piece, we want the materials inside that piece to reflect the same values we expect in our own work.
No Hidden Human Cost
Jewelry should mean something beautiful before it is ever placed in a gift box.
A lower gemstone price is not worth someone else's safety.
Faster production is not worth abusive labor practices.
A difficult-to-find stone is not worth abandoning the standards we apply to the rest of our sourcing.
If we cannot become comfortable with a supplier or a material source, we would rather not work with it.
Materials should match their description
A trustworthy supplier should consistently provide the stone, metal or material represented in the order.
Problems should be addressed
Good suppliers stand behind the materials they sell and respond responsibly when questions or issues arise.
Questions deserve real answers
We prefer businesses that can discuss their products and sourcing rather than becoming vague when ethical questions are raised.
Ethical Sourcing Applies to Custom Jewelry Too
A custom request does not remove our sourcing standards.
When Kherish sources a stone specifically for a custom design, we still apply ethical considerations to the supplier.
Wanting a rare color, unusual cut or specific natural gemstone does not mean we will purchase it from absolutely anyone who happens to have one available.
Custom sourcing can require additional searching because the material still has to meet both design requirements and Kherish supplier standards.
That can mean saying no to a material source even when the stone itself appears suitable.
Supplier selection matters
We consider ethics before a supplier becomes part of our sourcing network.
The stone still has to be beautiful
Ethical considerations exist alongside gemstone quality, accurate representation and reliability.
We can walk away
Kherish does not have to work with every supplier offering a desirable material. Refusing a supplier is part of ethical sourcing.
Kherish Ethical Sourcing FAQ
How we think about gemstones, materials and suppliers
Are Kherish gemstones ethically sourced?
Yes. Kherish selects gemstone suppliers using ethical sourcing standards and works to source conflict-free, responsibly obtained materials.
What does Kherish consider when choosing a supplier?
We consider factors including fair and livable wages, worker safety, treatment of employees, forced-labor risk, sourcing practices, gemstone quality, reliability and the supplier's demonstrated ethical track record.
Does Kherish choose suppliers based only on price?
No. Price is never the only consideration. A lower cost does not justify abusive labor, unsafe working conditions, poor material quality or questionable sourcing.
Will Kherish work with suppliers using forced labor?
No. Kherish refuses to knowingly work with suppliers using slave labor, forced labor or coercive labor practices.
Does workplace safety affect supplier selection?
Yes. Worker safety is one of the ethical factors we consider. Dangerous conditions cannot be dismissed simply because they produce less expensive materials.
Does employee treatment matter?
Yes. Ethical employment includes fair treatment and dignity, not only the final wage printed on a payroll record.
Does Kherish consider gemstone quality too?
Yes. Ethical sourcing and gemstone quality are both required. We want materials that meet our quality expectations from suppliers whose practices we are comfortable supporting.
Why does supplier history matter?
A proven track record gives us more information than a one-time claim. Long-term reliability, accurate representation, responsible practices and consistent communication all matter.
Where does Kherish prefer to source materials?
When practical, Kherish prefers established and vetted suppliers in places including California, Canada, Hawaii, Japan and Australia, along with other suppliers who meet our ethical and quality standards.
Does being located in one of those places automatically make a supplier ethical?
No. Geography alone does not establish ethical business practices. Kherish evaluates the individual supplier, its sourcing practices, reliability, quality and history.
Does Kherish source conflict-free stones?
Yes. Kherish's ethical sourcing standard prioritizes conflict-free, responsibly sourced gemstones and materials.
Are custom-order gemstones sourced differently?
A custom request can require a different supplier search, but it does not remove Kherish's ethical standards. We still consider the source and supplier before purchasing a stone.
What happens if Kherish is uncomfortable with a supplier?
We do not have to purchase from them. Refusing to work with a supplier whose practices do not meet our standards is an important part of responsible sourcing.
Why not simply buy from whoever has the lowest price?
Extremely low prices can sometimes hide costs paid by workers, communities or unsafe workplaces rather than by the buyer. Kherish does not believe those costs become acceptable because they lower the retail price of jewelry.
Can ethical sourcing guarantee that every supply chain is perfect?
Ethical sourcing requires continuous supplier selection, evaluation and responsible decision-making. Our commitment is to carefully consider the businesses we work with, refuse practices we will not support and continue choosing sources that meet Kherish's ethical and quality standards.
The Kherish Standard
We care about the stone. We also care about how it reached us.
A gemstone can be beautiful and still come from a source we refuse to support.
That is why supplier selection matters. Fair and livable wages matter. Safe working conditions matter. Employee treatment matters. Responsible sourcing matters. Quality matters. And a proven ethical history matters.
We do not work with just anyone.
Kherish chooses materials we are proud to put into our jewelry and suppliers we are comfortable allowing to become part of the story behind it.
Explore Kherish Gemstones