Is Crafting in Recycled Silver & Gold Right for Me?

When jewelry retailers share that their jewelry is made from recycled precious metals, what it means is that the materials used to create the jewelry have been sourced from previously used metal items and then reprocessed to form new jewelry pieces as opposed to using mined gold or silver.

While not 100% perfect, the process of using recycled metals can be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to jewelry production. Below are some key points about jewelry made from recycled metals:

• Environmental Impact: Recycling metals reduces the need for mining new raw materials, which can have significant environmental consequences such as habitat destruction, water pollution, and energy consumption. By using recycled metals, the demand for newly mined metals is reduced, which helps to lessen the environmental impact of the jewelry industry.
• Conservation of Resources: Extracting metals from their natural sources is a resource-intensive process. Recycling metals helps conserve valuable resources like water, energy, and minerals that would otherwise be used in traditional mining operations.
• Reducing Waste: Utilizing recycled metals means giving new life to old jewelry, electronics, or other metal products that would otherwise end up in landfills or as waste. By recycling and reusing these materials, less waste is generated.
• Ethical Sourcing: Some consumers prefer jewelry made from recycled metals because it aligns with their ethical values. They may want to avoid supporting mining practices that can harm communities and the environment in various ways.
• Quality and Purity: Recycled metals can have the same quality and purity as newly mined metals, making them a viable and often indistinguishable alternative in jewelry production.
• Certification: In some cases, jewelry manufacturers may provide certifications or information about the origin and recycling process of the metals used in their products. This transparency allows consumers to make more informed choices and support sustainable practices. Some examples of recycled jewelry certifications include Scientific Certifications Systems (SCS), Cradle to Cradle certification.
• Popular Metals: Commonly recycled metals used in jewelry production include gold, silver, platinum, and other precious or non-precious metals.

Overall, choosing jewelry made from recycled metals can be a responsible choice that supports sustainable practices and helps protect the environment by reducing the demand for newly mined resources. Read our article on recycled precious metals.