While I am very careful to source my precious metals only from SCS® certified suppliers (SCS® stands for Supply Chain Sustainability; they are the global leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification). Most of my precious metals suppliers are also members of the Responsible Jewellery Council. However, I want to point out that ‘recycling gold' is not what is commonly understood by the term.
True recycling avoids things ending up in landfills. Gold, of course, wouldn’t.
Instead, gold is simply melted, refined and repurposed.
Although SCS® certified refineries must maintain auditable records of their suppliers, there are loopholes globally which make it very easy for gold from unregulated and/or illegal sources to enter their supply chain.
This makes even 'certified recycled' gold untraceable.
You may have seen that I spoke on a panel discussion about gold last week. Not your usual conversation about this precious metal! The Shadow of Gold is a beautiful piece of storytelling about some very harrowing truths: the documentary highlights the perils of extracting this gorgeous metal from the earth. I want to thank director Robert Lang for bringing us this important film, and for graciously joining the screening and panel discussion in Halifax.
powerful film, followed by a great discussion
I will talk more about my gold sources in another blog post. For now, I thought I’d better follow up with a bit more information about re-using YOUR gold, since I have been getting a lot of questions about that. I thought I’d explain how that whole thing works.
This is half-way into the process …Finished!The client was pretty excited when she came to pick up the ring. She later dropped me a note saying “Dorothée, I am thrilled with my ring! Thank you so much. ” Made my day
Many people have gold jewellery kicking around which, for one reason or another, they no longer wear. These might be concerns of aesthetics, size, or they may be deep emotional reasons. Fire purifies and renews! One way or the other: gold can most definitely be recycled, and made into something brand new. Here is how that works:
Taking apart one ring, and starting to make a new one with the gem
I’ll say right off the bat that it is a lot more complicated than you would think. I cannot simply melt the gold into a new ring; this would compromise the strength of the gold itself, as the precious metal could become brittle from being melted repeatedly. In order to do this correctly, your old gold will need to be refined first to 24k purity, then re-alloyed (mixed with other metals to make it 18k), and then used to cast a custom piece, or made into the 18k gold wire I use to forge you a new gold Onefooter ring from.
The result of the above image: a rebuild for a 20th anniversary
The way this works in real time is that I credit the trade-in value of stamped and hallmarked gold, and subtract that value from the price of your custom piece. Depending on the quality of the stones in your original piece(s), I may be able to use some, or all of them, in the creation of a new piece.
This simple solitaire and wedding band set are about to get a make-over
So come see me in my Halifax studio (make an appointment here), or call me with your questions: 902.422.9460. If you don’t live here, we can work remotely. I can safely ship your materials to my studio, not to worry.
Here are some examples of rebirth rings I have made for my clients:
18k palladium white gold for the new version of this old engagement ringThis massive Amethyst was the client’s grandmother’s . It looked great in its rebirth form atop a 18k yellow gold Twofooter ringA completely newly imagined version of the ring that originally held these stones. This one is 18k palladium white gold – no rhodium plating needed!This full carat stone got a new home in a 18k yellow gold Onefooter ring
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4 Comments
Beautiful, Gorgeous Creations Dorothée! I especially love the 18K white gold Palladium ring with the three diamonds………Something to think about for the future.
I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries following this post – don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about repurposing YOUR jewellery!
That’s a great point! Let’s delve into the ethical implications and cost considerations of recycling gold for jewelry.
Would you like to start with the ethical aspects or the financial side?
Your article sheds light on the intricate yet rewarding process of recycling gold, which is essential for sustainable jewelry practices. I agree that refining gold to 24k purity before re-alloying is crucial to maintaining its strength without compromise. As a suggestion, it’s beneficial to educate clients about the environmental impact and emotional renewal that comes with transforming heirloom pieces into reimagined jewelry, adding value beyond just aesthetics.
Beautiful, Gorgeous Creations Dorothée! I especially love the 18K white gold Palladium ring with the three diamonds………Something to think about for the future.
I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries following this post – don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about repurposing YOUR jewellery!
That’s a great point! Let’s delve into the ethical implications and cost considerations of recycling gold for jewelry.
Would you like to start with the ethical aspects or the financial side?
Your article sheds light on the intricate yet rewarding process of recycling gold, which is essential for sustainable jewelry practices. I agree that refining gold to 24k purity before re-alloying is crucial to maintaining its strength without compromise. As a suggestion, it’s beneficial to educate clients about the environmental impact and emotional renewal that comes with transforming heirloom pieces into reimagined jewelry, adding value beyond just aesthetics.