The dirty business of beauty | DW Documentary

The paragraph discusses the transformation of stones, specifically Gua Sha stones, from mere objects to tools for anti-aging, skin care, and relaxation. It highlights the belief in crystals for various purposes like combating wrinkles and promoting happiness. The Gua Sha stone's association with different types of crystals and their spiritual significance is explored. The business behind minerals and crystals is revealed, with a call to understand the origin of these stones and the ethics behind their sourcing. The paragraph ends with an introduction to a journey to uncover the truth behind the trend, which is popular on social media and among celebrities.

This paragraph delves into the origin of crystals, particularly from Madagascar, and raises ethical concerns about the working conditions of those who mine them. It discusses the reluctance of retailers to disclose their suppliers and the poor conditions in which miners, often starting at a young age, work. The paragraph also covers the risks associated with mining, including dangerous conditions and accidents. It questions the distribution of wealth from the lucrative jade industry and the lack of support for countries that supply raw materials. The reporters' attempt to investigate the situation in Madagascar is met with bureaucratic challenges, reflecting the difficulty of uncovering the truth behind the crystal trade.

The paragraph describes the challenges faced by the film crew in Madagascar while investigating the mining industry. They are accompanied by a government chaperone, which complicates their efforts to speak frankly with locals. The crew's interactions with the Ministry of Communications and their attempts to navigate the country's bureaucratic requirements for filming are detailed. Despite these hurdles, they persist in their mission to understand the journey of rose quartz from the mines to the global market.

This paragraph paints a stark picture of the mining conditions in Madagascar, where workers, including children, face dangerous and difficult work environments. It discusses the legal restrictions on child labor in mines and the socioeconomic factors that drive families to have their children work. The paragraph also touches on the country's education statistics and the aspirations of one young miner to return to school and become a doctor. The harsh contrast between the glamorous use of crystals in the West and the grim reality of the mines is highlighted.

The paragraph contrasts the high prices of rose quartz products in Europe with the meager wages of the Malagasy miners. It discusses the living conditions of the miners and the struggle to make ends meet despite the hard labor. The miners' perspective on the value and use of the crystals they extract is shared, along with their awareness of the disparity in the price of the crystals once they leave Madagascar. The paragraph also touches on the impact of poverty on education and the cycle of labor that many children are trapped in.

This paragraph focuses on the export market for rose quartz, with an emphasis on the role of China and India as major buyers. It discusses the process of filling containers with tons of stones for export and the fluctuating demand for rose quartz. The paragraph also explores the lack of transparency regarding the origin of the stones and the potential for direct trade between Madagascar and Germany. The narrative follows the journalists' efforts to understand the supply chain and the challenges of uncovering the truth about the conditions in the mines.

The final paragraph discusses the limitations of Germany's Supply Chain Act in protecting the rights of workers in the global supply chain. It details the legislative challenges in passing the law and the compromises made, which resulted in a watered-down version that primarily applies to larger companies. The paragraph highlights the lack of responsibility taken by companies for the well-being of workers at the beginning of the supply chain, particularly in the context of the crystal trade. It concludes with a critical perspective on the ongoing issues of globalization and the need for more effective legislation and corporate responsibility.