Fair trade / ethically sourced / eco-friendly semi-precious stones?

[Flaxbee]

I'd like to buy semi-precious stones for some work - wholesale - but have no resources as to where to buy fair trade stones.

I see some info on beads, but not a lot on stones, semi precious or precious.

Also interested in sourcing recycled gold and silver for jewelry findings....

I just attended a gem show - some beautiful items, but very few booth operators had a clue about where / how their materials were sourced. Sigh.

Meant to add, thanks for any input and suggestions. Going to cross post this in the Lounge.

[eShirl]

1. I'm also interested. n/t

[Flaxbee]

2. hi eShirl - I've found a few links that discuss recycled metals, but

though many jewelers talk about ethically sourced stones, I haven't found the sources! In the Lounge thread, DUer Tuesday Afternoon said that some of her friends who buy from eBay ask about source and feel comfortable they're getting ethical stones before they buy -- which is one way to do it.

http://www.ethicalmetalsmiths.org/projects/radical-jewelry-makeover/