Sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s a responsibility.
Charitygoodz is all about sustainability.
After extensive research, we’ve come to understand the harsh reality behind many of the raw materials used in the jewelry and gift industry. It’s not just gemstones, gold and silver too often come from mines plagued by child labor, unsafe working conditions, and severe environmental destruction. This has strengthened our commitment to responsible sourcing and long-term thinking, because we believe that doing good means doing right, both now and for future generations.
At Charitygoodz, we are committed to ethical craftsmanship and conscious sourcing, not just for today, but to help build a better world tomorrow.
Valerie Opdam
According to a report by SOMO, colored gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are frequently mined in developing countries under unethical conditions, including child labor and exploitation (SOMO report). But these issues aren’t limited to gemstones alone. In gold and silver mining, especially artisanal and small-scale operations, similar problems exist: poor wages, toxic exposure (like mercury), and devastating environmental harm.
Even in the “healing crystal” market, like rose quartz, exploitation is common. In Madagascar, entire families, including young children, work long hours in unsafe mines for extremely low pay (Radar article).
These eye-opening facts have led us at Charitygoodz to completely rethink how we operate. We now actively seek out ethical, traceable sources for all materials, including recycled gold and silver, to ensure that our products do not contribute to human suffering or environmental degradation.
The metals we use for our handmade jewelry
The gold and silver used by our casting partner comes from recycled sources, provided by Schöne Edelmetaal. As part of the Agosi Group, Schöne ensures that precious metals are recovered and refined in a responsible and sustainable way.
Agosi states:
"In Amsterdam, our subsidiary Schöne Edelmetall B.V. supplies the Benelux countries with investment and semi-finished products and also recycles and refines gold and silver scraps."
Agosi is also a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC): an international organization that promotes ethical, social, and environmental practices throughout the jewelry supply chain. Their certifications, which include Chain-of-Custody and Code of Practices standards, confirm compliance with rigorous sustainability and human rights criteria. You can view their certifications here.
By working with trusted and certified partners like Schöne and Agosi, we actively reduce our environmental footprint and support a transparent, circular, and ethical approach to precious metals, without compromising on quality or craftsmanship.
The gemstones we use for our handmade jewelry
At the moment, most of our gemstones come from vintage and surplus lots — existing stones that we source through specialized dealers. By giving these high-quality, unused gemstones a second life, we reduce the demand for new mining and make use of materials that would otherwise be forgotten. It's a meaningful step toward more circular and conscious jewelry.
Alongside this approach, we’ve also spent time building relationships with ethical gemstone suppliers in countries like Spain and Germany. These suppliers support small-scale, artisanal mining operations that prioritize fair working conditions and environmentally responsible practices. While we’re not yet working with them on a large scale, they represent an important part of our future sourcing strategy.
Additionally, we invest in lab-grown gemstones as a sustainable and conflict-free alternative. These stones offer the same beauty and durability as natural gems — without the environmental or ethical concerns of traditional mining. Read more about lab-grown gemstones in this article: TY Gems article.
Giving Back Is Part of Our Mission
Beyond all of the above, we believe in giving back to the world. That’s why we donate 5% of every sale to a charity of your choice.
We’ve carefully selected a range of trusted charities you can choose from, and we also feature a Charity of the Month: spotlighting causes that deserve extra attention and support.
Importantly, this donation comes from our gross profit, not the sales price. So you can rest assured: the amount you pay for your item stays the same. You're not paying extra, we're simply sharing a portion of our earnings with those who need it most.
Doing good shouldn't cost you more. It should just be part of doing business right.
Behind every crystal lies a story — not just of natural beauty, but of people, places, and impact. That’s why for our interior gemstones, we work with a gemstone supplier who not only sources beautiful stones, but also invests deeply in the lives of the people around the mines. This includes paying fair, above-average wages, supporting local education, funding schoolbooks, and even helping to renovate a school in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
In remote areas like Ilakaka, where drought left communities without water, he funded and drilled a fountain to provide clean water for the village. He also supports elderly shelters by building bakeries and gardens so residents can grow their own food and live with dignity.
Street dogs are cared for, nature around the mines is protected, and every purchase we make comes with full transparency — including background info on the mine, how to get there, and who benefits directly from the work.
By choosing to pay more — for mining, for craftsmanship, for community — we’re choosing a better way. And with every piece you buy, you're part of that choice too.
This is what sustainability means to us: beautiful materials, sourced with heart.
Since we're still on our sustainability journey, we believe in transparency.
That means we still offer some pieces from our older collections, designed before we had a full understanding of the ethical and environmental impact of materials like gemstones. Rather than discard them, we choose to honor the resources already used by continuing to sell these items, while being clear about their origin.
Wherever possible, we also reuse gemstones from past collections. Repurposing existing stones not only reduces waste, but reflects our commitment to making the most of what we already have.
We're currently still using up our existing stock of packaging to avoid unnecessary waste — because throwing away usable materials doesn't align with our values either. In the future, we aim to switch to fully recyclable and even more sustainable packaging. One step at a time, with care and intention.
