What “Ethically Cut Stones” Means at New Cabochons
At New Cabochons, we believe transparency matters. Rather than relying on a buzzword, we want to clearly share what ethical cutting truly means to us and how it shows up in the stones that we offer.
Ethics Are About People, Not Just Stones
For us, ethical cutting begins with people.
New Cabochons works directly with small-scale lapidary artisans and their families, not factories or anonymous supply chains. All of our stones are cut by artisans we know personally, some of whom we have worked with for over a decade. These relationships are built on trust, respect, and mutual growth.
Ethical cutting means:
- Lapidary artists are paid fairly for their skill and time
- Work is done in safe environments with proper respiration
- Craftsmanship is valued over mass production products
Graeme Bousada, co-founder of New Cabochons, working with one of our lapidary partners in Mexico.
Intentionally Cut, Not Mass Produced
Ethically cut stones are not rushed.
Our cabochons are intentionally shaped to honour the natural material. We pride ourselves in preserving character, inclusions, and unique features rather than forcing stones to be uniform or “perfect”. This approach respects both the stone itself and the craft of lapidary and creates a truly unique product.
This means:
- Each stone is one-of-a-kind
- Natural variations are celebrated
- Less waste and more thoughtful use of raw material
- Beauty comes from authenticity, not perfection
Hand-cut cabochon in progress. Each stone is shaped individually to preserve its natural character.
Transparency and Traceability Matter
We believe ethics require honesty. Whenever possible, we share where our stones come from, and who cut them.
Some stones are cut in our own home lapidary shop in Canada. Others are cut by trusted lapidary families in Mexico who carry generations of knowledge. In both cases, we can trace the stone’s journey and not only stand behind it but also tell you about it!
Small-Scale Sourcing With Care
Each stone is hand-selected and hand-cut by lapidary artists and their families in Mexico.
Ethical cutting also means choosing small-scale sourcing over industrial extraction. While no form of mining is impact-free, we prioritize materials that come from artisan and family-run operations, rather than large-scale commercial mines.
This supports:
- Local economies
- Traditional lapidary knowledge and craftsmanship
- Slower, more mindful supply chains
What Ethical Cutting Is Not
We also believe it’s important to be clear about what ethical cutting does not mean.
There is no universal certification that defines “ethically cut stones.” Claims without transparency can easily become marketing language. That’s why we focus less on labels and more on relationships, traceability, and transparency.
Why This Matters to Makers
If you’re a jeweller or silversmith, your materials become part of your story.
When you choose ethically cut stones from New Cabochons, you’re choosing materials you can feel proud of. Stones that have a story that we are proud to share. We hope that you are also proud to share where your stones come from and that they are cut by artisan families in Mexico. Let's support other artisans with our work and all benefit.
Our Promise
At New Cabochons, ethically cut means:
- People over profit
- Craft over convenience
- Transparency over trends
We are committed to building a positive circle of creation, this means from lapidary artist to jeweller to wearer. Thank you for being part of that journey.
New Cabochons' founders committed to ethically sourced cabochons.
Founder note:
New Cabochons is deeply personal to me. This business exists because of the people behind it, the amazing jewellers who trust our stones with their creativity, and the lapidary artists whose hands and livelihoods are tied to this craft.
Over the years, this community has carried me through some of the most meaningful and challenging seasons of my life. The relationships I’ve built here are not just about business, my clients have also become friends.
I put my heart into this work because I love seeing people connect through stone and through the act of creating. Watching a jeweller bring a stone to life, and knowing it came from the hands of a respected lapidary artist, reminds me that creativity can be a bridge between people. When jewellers succeed and lapidary artists are valued, it creates a stronger cabochon product.
To me, this is what ethical cutting truly means:
