5 Key Takeaways from Visiting One of Thailand’s Most Advanced Silver Recycling Refineries
5 Key Takeaways from Visiting One of Thailand’s Most Advanced Silver Recycling Refineries
At Loytee, sustainability is at the heart of our mission. We recently visited one of our partner precious metal refineries in Thailand along with one of our UK-based jewelry partners to learn more about our supply chain. With the coming initiatives in the European Union like the EU digital product passports, or Green Claims Initiatives in the UK, the industry continues to move towards transparency and traceability, and we believe this is an important part of the partnership in achieving sustainable jewelry together.
Our recent visit to Moonlight Bullion Refinery, one of Thailand’s most advanced silver recycling facilities, offered valuable insights into the future of sustainable silver. Here are five key takeaways that every conscious jewelry buyer should know about silver recycling and its role in a more sustainable industry:
1. Electrolysis is a Game-Changer in Silver Recycling
One of the standout aspects of Moonlight Bullion Refinery is its use of electrolysis to refine recycled silver. This process recovers silver with exceptional purity while minimizing waste and reducing the need for newly mined metal. Unlike traditional refining methods that rely on harsh chemicals, electrolysis is a cleaner, more energy-efficient alternative that helps create a more sustainable supply chain.
Here’s how it works in simple terms:
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Silver is placed in an electrolysis system that separates pure silver from impurities.
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The pure silver forms into silver crystals.
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These silver crystals are melted down into a solid form.
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The melted silver is then run through a granulating machine that turns it into small silver grains.
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These 99.99% pure silver grains are ready for manufacturers like Loytee to use for new jewelry casting and production. Along with lab tests to certify the purity of the silver grain that is being delivered.
2. RJC Certification Signals Ethical and Sustainable Practices
Moonlight Bullion is in the process of obtaining Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) certification, a globally recognized standard for ethical sourcing and responsible business practices. For consumers, this means that silver refined at this facility meets the highest standards for transparency, environmental responsibility, and fair labor practices. As more refineries pursue RJC certification, the jewelry industry moves closer to a fully circular and ethical supply chain.
3. Recycled Silver Dramatically Reduces Environmental Impact
Mining for new silver requires vast amounts of energy and water, often causing deforestation, soil degradation, and pollution. In contrast, recycling silver uses up to 95% less energy than extracting new metal. By choosing jewelry made with recycled silver, consumers can significantly cut down carbon emissions and reduce the demand for resource-intensive mining operations, making a meaningful difference in environmental conservation.
4. Advanced Laboratory Testing Ensures Silver Purity
A key advantage of Moonlight Bullion Refinery is its in-house laboratory, which verifies the contents and purity of the silver being recycled. The refinery utilizes an ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer), a highly advanced and rare piece of equipment in the market. This cutting-edge technology provides precise analysis of the metal composition, ensuring that the refined silver meets the highest quality standards. Having access to such sophisticated testing capabilities enhances traceability and guarantees the authenticity of the recycled silver.
5. Traceability is Essential for a Transparent Supply Chain
One of the biggest challenges in sustainable jewelry is ensuring full traceability—knowing exactly where materials come from and how they are processed. At Moonlight Bullion, refined silver can be traced back to its source, ensuring that the metal used in our designs is genuinely recycled and ethically processed. This level of transparency empowers both brands and consumers to make informed, responsible choices.
Questions to Ask Your Jewelry Manufacturing Supplier About Recycling Practices
To ensure your jewelry supplier follows ethical and sustainable recycling practices, consider asking these key questions:
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What percentage of the silver used in production comes from recycled sources?
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What refining methods are used to recycle silver, and how do they minimize environmental impact?
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Can you provide documentation or certifications that verify the traceability of recycled silver in your supply chain?
The Future of Sustainable Silver
Our visit to Moonlight Bullion Refinery reaffirmed that responsible silver sourcing is not just an ideal—it’s the future of the jewelry industry. By investing in clean refining methods, ethical certifications, and transparent sourcing, refineries like this are paving the way for a more sustainable and ethical supply chain.
At Loytee, we remain committed to using responsibly sourced silver and educating our customers about the impact of their choices. Whether you’re a jewelry lover or a conscious consumer, choosing recycled silver is a simple yet powerful way to support a greener, fairer industry.
Would you like to see more of our designs featuring recycled silver? Stay tuned as we continue to integrate ethically refined silver into our collections!
