Meet Ivy Welburn Jazmin Erving

We were lucky to catch up with Ivy Welburn and Jazmin Erving recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ivy Welburn, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
We accept the role of being the unicorns of our industry. As black women miners, we have become accustomed to the record stopping as we pull up a chair at the owner’s table. It is what we do from that point that will change the world of mining into one of inclusion and diversity.

When entering into a new industry without much of a background in the field, we decided to load up on anything we could find about crystals, rocks and geology. Our favorite book being “Geology for Dummies.” This gave us confidence to become successful and resilience to stay narrow focused on our goal of exposing the world of mineralogy.

In one of our social media campaigns, we encountered a few people who were incensed that we would dare mention that we were the first African American women to own a domestic crystal mine. The audacity of us being proud graduates from HBCUs (Spelman and Howard) only made us prouder. We decided that we can make the difference in the BEST life, just a few years ago, we did not know existed.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
BECAUSE I ROCK is a crystal company founded on a good deed. We are best friends, Jazmin & Ivy, who encountered a stranded driver in the woods of Mt. Shasta. He was desperate for help, so we helped. Just that simple. After an 8 hour wait for a tow, we all got to know each other and realized we had a mutual love of rock hounding and crystals. Difference was, he actually owned crystal mines. Our small collection paled in comparison to his million dollar rocks, but we literally struck gold with meeting someone, by chance who would soon change our lives.

As a thank you, Deer Mark (named because of his unfortunate accident with a deer), sent us a box of beautiful jewels and invitation to visit his Happy Place. This was on the very top of a mountain where crystals pour out of seems like ripe fruit. It was the most exhilarating experience of our lives. We have never come down from the high of that day. That is when BECAUSE I ROCK was born.

We consider BECAUSE I ROCK A New Way To Crystal. We offer crystals that have an origin story. We mine most ourselves and keep the million year old mud on them for you to clean or “birth” your own stone. Our top selling kits come with a variety of stones (Smoky Quartz, Amethyst & Herkimer Diamond) and includes a bowl, toothbrush and cleaning supplies.

Our in-person events include our cafe cart, called the “Crystal Caboose.” Instead of drinks, we serve up crystals to guests at private events, festivals and schools.

The ultimate crystal experience is to go on a Peak Experience Mining Adventure trip. BECAUSE I ROCK has partnered with 3 affiliate, domestic mines that offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to dig your own jewels. You will think twice before buying jewelry ever again and will forever look at the planet as an unearthed place of beauty.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When we think about our lives 3 years ago compared to now, we both continue to pinch ourselves to make sure it is real.

Ivy was a celebrity florist and gift designer, known for over-the-top Christmas trees and fanciful packaging. The skill of being a “giving expert” became the foundation of creating an exciting new product that would launch BECAUSE I ROCK into the gifting stratosphere. Both of us had to dig deep and find a creative way to make dirty rocks a high end, luxury gift. The UnEarthed Kits are the unique way we can put a small grain of our mining adventures into a box. The dirt is expected. The experience of discovery, passion for earth and thrill of the hunt – is not.

Jazmin was on the planning end of non profit events and foundation building. She was known for producing events that would tickle the spirit of everyone privy to attend. The skills required to plan events on this level require extreme organization, venue design and the ability to see what is possible. Our “Crystal Caboose” was the brainchild of Jazmin who wanted to make our presence at events known and more importantly, highly anticipated. This simple addition to our marketing strategy has given us a mobile location, automatic attention and the desire for clients to put BECAUSE I ROCK in their driveway.

We did not start out knowing every name of the 3600+ minerals, nor did we pretend to. We did it old school style and broke out text books, note pads and our favorite resource guide, “Geology for Dummies” every chance we got, Knowledge is power. What we did not know, we put intention into learning. Now, we surprise ourselves when we are explaining the way the earth was formed, how crystals grow and the three layers of rock (Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic).

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Our mentors, partners and cheerleaders have become our lifeline. Everyday we learn something new about mineralogy, business management and personal growth. Not only because we need to, but because we have a team that insists that we succeed. Our team consists of an unlikely group of people put together by chance. We stay together because we make each other better human beings meant to serve this great planet. Mother Earth gave us a new life and we intend on giving her the honor well deserved..

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