Mica powder is one of the most beautiful and transformative materials in the creative world. It adds shimmer, depth, softness and light. It turns handmade creations into something magical, something that catches the eye and holds it.
But mica also carries a story far deeper than its sparkle.
At Create & Bloom Crafts, we believe creativity should never come at the cost of human suffering. Ethical mica sourcing is not a buzzword for us. It is a responsibility we take seriously, a value we actively protect, and a commitment we uphold every single time we choose what to stock on our shelves.
This is why ethical mica matters, what the global concerns truly are, and why we believe every maker has a role to play, not through guilt, but through intention, awareness, a good faith.
What is mica, and why is it so widely used?
Mica is a naturally occurring mineral belonging to a group of silicate minerals that form in thin, flat layers. These layers reflect light, creating the soft shimmer and pearlescent glow that mica is known for.
Beyond arts and crafts, mica is used globally in:
- cosmetics and skincare
- automotive paints and coatings
- electronics and insulation
- construction and industrial products
Its heat resistance, durability, and reflective qualities make it highly valuable, which is exactly why global demand is so high.
'And where demand rises faster than regulation, ethical risk follows'.
The global concerns surrounding mica sourcing
Informal and illegal mining
A significant proportion of the world’s natural mica supply has historically come from regions where mining takes place informally or illegally, particularly in parts of India and Madagascar. When mining exists outside regulated systems, worker protections are often absent, wages are extremely low, and safety standards are minimal.
This lack of oversight creates conditions where exploitation can thrive unchecked.
Child labour and unsafe working conditions
Mica has become one of the most well-documented examples of a mineral linked to child labour. Numerous investigations and reports from international organisations have identified mica mining as a sector with ongoing child labour risks.
In India, estimates have suggested that tens of thousands of children have been involved in mica collection and mining in regions such as Jharkhand and Bihar. In Madagascar, studies and reports from global agencies have identified widespread child labour in mica supply chains, with children exposed to dangerous working environments and long hours.
These are not isolated or historical issues. They are ongoing challenges within parts of the global mica industry.
This is why mica is often described as one of the most unethically sourced minerals in the world, not because every mica supplier is unethical, but because the risks are well known, deeply rooted, and impossible to ignore.
Why 'small purchases' still matter
It can feel overwhelming to think that one pot of pigment could make a difference. But global supply chains are built on millions of individual purchasing decisions.
'We believe every person has a duty, not to be perfect, but to be mindful'.
Buying with good intentions and good faith means:
- caring where materials come from
- choosing transparency over convenience
- supporting businesses that actively question their supply chains
Here's the thing.....When customers care, suppliers are forced to care too.
Ethical sourcing does not happen by accident. It happens because people refuse to look away.
What ethical mica sourcing actually looks like
Ethical mica sourcing is not a label. It is a process.
It involves:
- traceability within the supply chain
- active due diligence rather than passive trust
- regular communication with suppliers
- a willingness to walk away when standards are not met, (believe us, we have done this)!
Globally recognised frameworks such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains outline how companies should identify risks, take action, and remain transparent when dealing with minerals linked to labour concerns.
There are also collaborative initiatives working specifically to address mica-related issues, such as the Responsible Mica Initiative, which brings together businesses, NGOs, and community organisations to reduce child labour and improve working conditions in mica-producing regions.
However, ethical sourcing is not about logos or claims alone, it is about behaviour, accountability, and continuous effort.
What Create & Bloom Crafts does differently
At Create & Bloom Crafts, ethical sourcing is deeply personal. Lou regularly shares this commitment across Create & Bloom platforms, openly discussing the care, responsibility, and intention behind the materials we choose.
Lou goes above and beyond to ensure that any mica powder supplied on the website is sourced with care, responsibility, and integrity. This includes:
- direct communication with mica suppliers
- video calls and real conversations wherever possible, and unplanned
- requesting documentation, sourcing information, and policy transparency
- maintaining ongoing relationships rather than one-off transactions
If a supplier cannot answer questions clearly or demonstrate ethical awareness, we do not stock their products. It really is as simple as that.
We pay more for our mica so people and practices aren’t paid less.
We believe that refusing to compromise is just as important as choosing what to sell.
Honesty matters: what ethical sourcing can — and cannot — promise
In a global industry with complex supply chains, absolute guarantees are rare. Any business claiming total certainty without transparency should be questioned.
What ethical sourcing can promise is:
- honesty about known risks
- active steps to reduce harm
- openness about sourcing decisions
- accountability when standards are not met
We value transparency over perfection, because real change comes from truth, not marketing language.
Empowering makers to choose better
As a maker, artist, or creative business owner, you hold more influence than you realise.
You can:
- Liaise with suppliers for re-assurance of where their mica comes from.
- support businesses that prioritise ethical sourcing
- talk openly about material choices within creative communities
- choose intention over ignorance
Ethical buying is not about shame or judgement. It is about alignment, between your values, your creativity, and the world you want to contribute to.
Our promise to you
Mica should represent joy, creativity, and expression, not exploitation.
At Create & Bloom Crafts, we are committed to sourcing mica with integrity, transparency, and care. We will continue to ask difficult questions, maintain direct supplier relationships, and make ethical decisions even when they are harder or slower.
Sparkle means more when it’s created without harm, for today’s makers and tomorrow’s children.
And creativity is most powerful when it is rooted in compassion.
References & Further Reading
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OECD (2016). OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
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U.S. Department of Labor. Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Mica.
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UNICEF (2019). Child Labour in Madagascar’s Mica Sector.
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Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI). Understanding the Global Mica Supply Chain and Child Labour Risks.
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Terre des Hommes & SOMO (2018). Beauty and a Beast: Child Labour in India for Sparkling Cars and Cosmetics.