Every necklace I sell carries a story of resilience and empowerment.

Direct from the Valley of the Sufi Saints in Maharashtra, India, my supplier is a man who has faced tremendous challenges. At the age of nine, he left school to help his family—to do one of the few things a nine-year old could—sell necklaces. This is how he joined the other vendors who walk daily—back and forth along the three-mile stretch that borders the World Heritage Site, Ellora Caves.

Even though my supplier never learned to read or write, in his time selling necklaces to tourists, he learned resilience, people skills, seven languages, and entrepreneurship—which is how we met.

I didn’t want or buy any necklaces that day, and that’s kind of funny now, considering how things turned out.

Now, he runs a dairy, but still graciously supplies me with the crystal beads I need to make my designs.

Your purchase helps the entire network of people connected to these beautiful stones, from my contact, to his family, to his contacts, to their families.

For more information, contact me at joannascrystals@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram at peaceful_stones.