Sustainability is something we are hear a lot and I've recently found myself thinking "what does that really mean?" and "can precious metal jewellery really be sustainable?" After a bit of research I thought I'd share what I learnt as I can't be the only one who has wondered about this. In all honesty mining any alloy is not a sustainable practice, however the good news is that now, more than ever, gold and silver is being recycled and reputable suppliers are only selling recycled silver and gold. For over a decade, businesses in the jewellery industry have promoted recycling gold and silver methods for more sustainable production.
Are recycled precious metals more ethical and sustainable?
Recycled precious metals are considered more ethical and sustainable than newly mined metals for several reasons. Here are some of the key benefits of using recycled gold and silver:
1. Environmental Impact: Recycling gold and silver reduces the need for new mining operations, which can have significant environmental impacts such as deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction. By using recycled metals, we can help minimise the negative effects of mining on the environment.
2. Conservation of Resources: Mining for new gold and silver requires the extraction of finite natural resources, which can lead to resource depletion and environmental degradation. Recycling these metals helps conserve valuable resources and reduces the need for additional mining activities.
3. Energy Savings: The process of recycling gold and silver requires less energy compared to mining and refining new metals. By using recycled metals, we can reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with metal production.
4. Circular Economy: Recycling precious metals promotes a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled instead of being disposed of as waste. This helps reduce the amount of waste generated and contributes to a more sustainable and efficient use of resources.
How is silver and gold recycled?
The recycling process for gold and silver involves several steps to ensure the metals are properly processed and purified for reuse. Here is an overview of how gold and silver are recycled:
1. Inspection and Separation: The metals are inspected and separated from other materials before they are shredded into smaller pieces. This helps to ensure that only the gold and silver are processed in the recycling plant.
2. Melting: The shredded pieces of gold and silver are then melted in a furnace designed for each specific metal. Each metal requires a different temperature for melting, so the furnace is set accordingly.
3. Purification: After melting, a purification process is undertaken to remove any contaminants from the metals. This helps to ensure that the newly produced metal is of the required purity for reuse.
4. Cooling and Solidification: Once purified, the metal is cooled and solidified into a solid form. This allows for further processing and shaping of the metal into the desired product.
5. Moulding: The cooled metal is then moulded into the finished product, such as wire, sheet or granules. This final stage of the process ensures that the recycled gold and silver are ready to me made into new jewellery.
Overall, the recycling process for gold and silver is essential for reducing the demand for mining new materials and minimising the environmental impact of metal extraction.
All the gold and silver I buy to make my jewellery is recycled and from a reputable supplier. Some pieces are made by melting the offcuts from other pieces into granules (balls) silver recycled studs, Anna necklace and gold dot ring to name a few. Or using a high temperature to melt old/broken/unwanted jewellery in a crucible and pouring the molten metal into a sand mould to create new rings (usually commission pieces).
