The Journey of Crystals: From the Earth to Your Hands
When you hold a crystal, it’s easy to imagine it has come to you just as it was found in the earth, raw, untouched, unchanged. The truth is more layered. Every crystal carries not only the energy of the earth itself, but also the hands, cultures, and traditions of the people who bring it to us.
At Moon & Earth, we believe it’s important to share the real story of crystals with honesty and respect (just as we’re always honest in saying that crystals won’t magically change your life - they’re supportive tools, but the real transformation comes when you put in the work yourself). For us, transparency matters in every aspect: being clear about the properties of crystals, the way they’re mined and prepared and never presenting them as a miracle cure.
Crystals Across Cultures and Continents
Crystals are mined in every corner of the world and each carries the imprint of its homeland:
Cornwall, UK - Close to home, Cornwall has produced Fluorite, Quartz and Tourmaline (even Amethyst from time to time) each piece infused with the rugged, wild energy of the land.
Brazil - One of the richest crystal regions in the world, Brazil is famous for its Amethyst cathedrals, sparkling Quartz points, golden Citrine and deep blue Aquamarine.
Madagascar - This island nation is celebrated for vibrant Rose Quartz, Celestite, Labradorite and Ocean Jasper. Here, mining is often family-run and deeply woven into local tradition.
India - Known for its Moonstone and Sunstone, as well as Zeolites like Apophyllite and Stilbite, India also produces clear Quartz and other luminous stones.
Pakistan & Afghanistan - The high mountains here gift some of the world’s most treasured crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine and Kunzite, each carrying the majesty of ancient landscapes.
Africa - Across the continent, crystals such as Malachite, Chrysocolla, Amethyst, Selenite and Desert Rose are mined in countries including Congo, Zambia and Morocco.
Mexico - Mexico is famous for some of the worlds best known Agates, as well as Amethyst, Calcite, Pyrite, Obsidian and vibrant Fluorite.
Worldwide Agates - Agates form in many parts of the world, including Mexico, Brazil, Botswana and Madagascar. Each has its own unique banding, colour and energy, shaped by the land it comes from.
Worldwide Tourmaline - Tourmaline is one of the most widespread crystals on earth, found across almost every continent. From Cornwall to Brazil, Africa to Asia, it is a true global stone, protective, grounding and widely available.
And of course, so many other countries, too many to mention them all here…
Each community that mines and prepares crystals has its own way of honouring the stones. Some leave them completely raw and untouched, believing this preserves their energetic purity. Others carefully clean, polish or coat them (in natural products) both to protect the crystal and to bring out its beauty.
The Different Ways Crystals Are Prepared
Crystals don’t always arrive exactly as they come out of the ground. Their preparation can include:
Simple cleaning - many stones are power-washed to remove mud or loose mineral residue.
Acid baths - some are dipped in mild acids to dissolve clays and reveal natural sparkle (it sounds harsher than it is, but some residues simply won’t dissolve without this treatment).
Natural coatings and washes - Some crystals are given a very light layer of mineral oil, plant resin (such as gum arabic or tree resin) or a surface wash to enhance their natural appearance and bring out their colour. In the case of Black Tourmaline, some suppliers apply what’s known as a black wash, a non-toxic, mineral-based surface treatment (often carbon or iron pigment with a natural binder such as resin or oil) used to give the stone a more uniform glossy black and reduce the appearance of white inclusions. This is a very standard practice by many suppliers in the crystal trade. It’s not something we would always choose but it is a recognised approach in some mining regions and we try to accept and honour the way suppliers process their stones. What matters most is that the crystal itself remains 100% genuine and sourced with integrity. And whilst we might not always agree with the process, we respect the people and the traditions behind it, rather than insisting they change the way they work. As long as we can be sure that the process and people are respecting the stones and the land, then we try to do the same in return.
Completely untouched - Sometimes we receive crystals exactly as mined: raw, earthy and still coated in the soil they grew in. Some buyers love this unfiltered energy, while others prefer a cleaner, more refined finish. Everyone has a different viewpoint on this, and we try to cater for all, offering crystals in the form that feels most aligned for each person with a variety across the board.
Because of these variations, the same type of crystal can look completely different depending on where it was found, how it was prepared and where we have been able to source it from at the time. We can’t always guarantee that a crystal will come from the exact same supplier or batch, as availability often shifts and sometimes we may wait months for shipments. If that happens, we may choose to source the same mineral from another part of the world (if we can). Whilst I may have a preference for certain types of preparation, the reality is that different suppliers and regions have different practices and that’s part of the beauty of crystals: each one carries the story of the land and people it has come from.
Why Crystals Look Different
This explains why two pieces of the same mineral might appear very different. A Quartz cluster mined in Brazil may arrive gleaming and luminous, while one from Pakistan could look raw and earthy. Both are real, both are powerful, but their journeys have shaped them in different ways...and every customer will have a different preference.
Even within the same mineral, batches vary. For example, Black Tourmaline can be naturally flaky due to the way it forms, so sometimes it is left completely raw and other times it may be lightly coated to reduce shedding and highlight its deep striations. Each supplier and region has their own approach, which means the appearance of the same stone can vary but what matters most is that every crystal we offer is ethically sourced and remains 100% genuine.
Asking Questions and Opening Dialogue
From time to time, people ask whether a crystal is “fake,” especially if it appears glossy or doesn't appear as expected to them. I’ve even been asked about stones being “siliconed” although I have never personally heard of this happening. I welcome these questions. In fact, I believe it’s important for people to ask about the crystals they’re buying and where they’ve come from.
That openness and curiosity is part of what Moon & Earth is all about. This blog itself is written to encourage that dialogue, to share what really happens in the mining and preparation of crystals, and to hold space for those conversations with transparency.
The Question of Ethics
Another subject that arises is whether it’s ethical to source crystals from certain countries. Some places in the world are affected by political instability, conflict or controversy and it can feel difficult to know what the “right” choice is.
Our stance is simple: crystals are mined not by governments, but by families and communities who often work with their land for generations. To refuse their stones outright because of where they live can hurt the very people who are innocent bystanders.
For example:
Lapis Lazuli from Pakistan - we source ours from two brothers whose family has mined it for generations.
Noble Shungite from Russia - while there are serious global concerns about Russia, the Shungite we buy comes from a small family business who are openly against what is happening in their country. Since the conflict it has been hard to take delivery from them, so we also source Noble Shungite from Colombia.
Madagascar - a country rich in crystals but marked by hardship. We buy from small, family-run mines, supporting local livelihoods directly.
Malachite from the Congo - our Malachite comes from a small family business who oversee every aspect themselves, from mining through to cleaning, polishing, and carving and have done so for generations.
The reality is complex. If conflict were to reach the UK, would we want people to stop supporting small family businesses here because of what our government was doing? Probably not. We would want to be seen as individuals. That’s the respect we extend to those who mine crystals in their homelands, many of who have been doing so for generations.
Honouring Different Practices
Every culture has its own beliefs about how crystals should be treated once they’re brought out of the ground. Some see them as sacred in their untouched form. Others believe in feeding, cleaning or polishing them to protect their energy, to reduce the scars of mining and to present their stones in the best light possible. For many small family mines, these practices are about wanting their crystals to look and be perceived at their very best. But because we all hold different ideas of what “best” looks like - untouched or cleaned, raw or polished, treated or untreated - not everyone will agree. We feel our role is to honour the people doing the work and the traditions they follow, trusting their care and their beliefs.
At Moon & Earth, we honour all of these practices. We listen, we learn, and we respect the balance between tradition, authenticity and practicality. At the same time, we choose carefully, if a process feels too harsh or artificial, we simply don’t buy from that supplier; it's a constant dance with it all.
Our Commitment
At Moon & Earth, we always try to learn the story of where each crystal comes from and how it has been prepared. We share that with transparency so you know not only the properties of your crystal but also something of its journey.
We honour the families and communities who bring these stones out of the ground, and we respect their traditions, even when they differ from our own. We believe that every piece, whether untouched, lightly coated, cleaned or polished carries its own unique beauty and energy.
A World Map of Crystals
When you hold a crystal, you’re also holding a piece of the earth from a particular place and culture:
Cornwall, UK - Fluorite, Quartz, Tourmaline.
Brazil - Amethyst, Quartz, Citrine, Aquamarine.
Madagascar - Rose Quartz, Celestite, Labradorite, Ocean Jasper.
India - Moonstone, Sunstone, Apophyllite, Stilbite.
Pakistan & Afghanistan - Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Kunzite.
Africa - Malachite, Chrysocolla, Amethyst, Desert Rose.
Worldwide Tourmaline - found on nearly every continent, a global stone of protection.
When you hold these stones, you are holding a global story, minerals shaped over millennia, carried through cultures and honoured by hands across the world before they arrive in yours.
A Closing Note
Crystals are here to support you, not to replace your own inner work and that’s why we choose to be transparent about their journey. At Moon & Earth, I don’t profess to be an expert or a scientist. I am someone with a deep passion for well-being, crystals, healing, people and spiritual practices....and that is how this business was born, by weaving all of those passions together.
I am always learning. I ask questions, I research, I work with trusted suppliers and I do my very best to source responsibly and share with honesty. That doesn’t mean I get it right all of the time, but I hope that when you buy from us, you know you’re supporting a business that cares deeply about being open, having these conversations and changing the narrative (which isn't always easy on every journey!)
It would be much easier to bulk-buy crystals without asking questions, to sell them with sweeping promises and miracle claims. But that isn’t who I am and it isn’t what Moon & Earth is about. Honesty is a core value for me and therefore it’s at the heart of this business. My hope is that you feel that integrity in every crystal you receive and that these stones support you as companions on your own unique journey.
And as always, if you have any questions, please do message me..there is no such thing as a silly question.
With love,
Katie xx