Jewelry has always had a special meaning in our lives. It gives our appearance a touch of elegance and individuality and can also symbolize emotional values. But at a time when sustainability and environmental awareness are becoming increasingly important, the jewelry industry is also facing new challenges. Fortunately, there is a way to combine luxury and responsibility - for example by using recycled raw materials.
Urban mining
For us, acting sustainably means using what is already there - instead of mining limited resources. This is exactly the idea behind the term urban mining, which is also known as urban mining.
In short: the earth's natural reserves of raw materials are being continually reduced through continuous mining and consumption. At the same time, however, the amount of secondary raw materials is growing, such as gold and silver from existing pieces of jewelry or materials containing precious metals - precious materials are even found in cell phones, laptops and tablets. We make use of these secondary raw materials and create our timeless pieces of jewelry from reprocessed, recycled silver and gold.
The quality of sustainable silver and gold is no different from conventional precious metals - but the processing of existing materials is much more environmentally friendly. In addition, no one has to work in dangerous mines under poor conditions for people and the environment.
Click here for our detailed blog article on the topic of urban mining.
Recycled gold
Gold is one of the most valuable and sought-after materials in the world. But also a limited resource. Conventional gold mining does not cast a particularly glamorous image on this beautiful treasure of the earth because it is characterized by poor working conditions, child labor and environmental damage caused by the toxic substances used for mining. In our blog article you can find out more about conventional gold mining and its downsides.
For us, the advantages of recycled gold are clear:
- Gold can be recovered infinitely with almost no loss
- there is already enough mined gold in the circuit
- We love the idea of giving something old new shine
Origin of our raw materials
The recycled material for our production comes from refineries. A refinery is, so to speak, a “recycling company” that specializes in the recovery of metals. The various old materials, such as industrial or electronic scrap, old pieces of jewelry, coins, cutlery and other remaining stocks containing precious metals, are separated into their individual components, i.e. "divorced". These raw materials are then brought back into the cycle and used for our jewelry.
We source the raw materials from certified dealers in Germany, Italy and Spain who belong to the Responsible Jewelery Council (RJC). They have committed themselves to the RJC's Code of Conduct for responsible corporate practices, such as compliance with human rights, business ethics and environmental responsibility. You can find out more about the RJC here .
FAQ
What is recycled gold?
Recycled gold refers to gold recovered from old jewelry, electronics, or other metal-containing items and reused. The gold recycling process takes place in refineries—businesses specializing in metal recovery. This process is also known as urban mining, essentially extracting raw materials from cities. Instead of mining new gold, existing resources are used, thus protecting the environment. Recycled gold is also often referred to as "green gold."
Currently, approximately 25% of global gold consumption comes from gold recycling.
Is recycled gold (equally) good?
Recycled gold and newly mined gold have the same quality and purity – however, the former does not require deep craters to be dug into the earth or the use of toxic chemicals for extraction, which can lead to significant environmental damage, such as the destruction of habitats and the pollution of water sources.
A major advantage of gold is that it can be melted down and reused an infinite number of times without any loss of quality or purity. Through refining in refineries, it is available, for example, for the production of sustainable jewelry and is repeatedly restored to its former glory.
Gold is a limited and precious resource. According to official estimates, approximately 75% of the world's gold reserves have already been mined. Therefore, recycling old gold will become increasingly important in the future.
Furthermore, recycled gold has a better climate footprint than newly mined gold - even if energy is required for its recovery.
What are the advantages of recycled gold?
Gold is a precious and sought-after material that is not available in unlimited quantities. Therefore, it is important to use it responsibly and conserve resources. The great advantage of gold is that it can be recycled infinitely while retaining its quality and purity.
Four key advantages of recycling gold are:
1) Recycled gold has a significantly better environmental footprint than newly mined gold. For example, the CO2 emissions for 1 kg of recycled gold are only around 53 kg, which is only about 1/20th of those from conventional mining.
2. Recycling gold promotes the circular economy. By reprocessing old jewelry or unused electronics, this valuable resource can be given new life.
3. Recycled gold requires no mining , thus preventing the environment from being burdened by toxic chemicals or other harmful ecological consequences.
4. Recycled gold is just as pure and high-quality as newly mined gold. There are no differences in quality or appearance.
Is jewelry made from recycled gold just as valuable?
Yes, jewelry made from recycled gold is just as valuable as jewelry made from newly mined gold! Recycling does not affect the chemical properties or the quality of the gold. Therefore, it retains its durability, strength, and beauty, regardless of how many times it has been recycled.
The price of gold for new and recycled gold is also identical.