Beyond Recycled Metals
The first Oro Verde gold bullion I brought back from Colombia in 2005.
This gold sparked the Fairtrade Gold initiative.
Beyond the "Recycled" Narrative: The Reality of Precious Metals
In this blog I am wanting set out a few realities regarding the subject and practice of precious metals in the jewellery supply. For many years, I have held the belief that ‘recycled metals’ offer a very marginal, almost negligible improvement to the jewellery value chain. This blog sets out the basics for consumers to understand why the claim recycled is not a virtuous claim, as well as why my own brand Valerio Jewellery uses recycled metals, when there is an absence of traceable metals like Fairtrade available to be used.
The jewellery industry currently uses "recycled gold" as a primary shield against criticism. At Valerio Jewellery, we believe this has become a greenwashing exercise. While recycling sounds sustainable, it often serves as an exit strategy from the very mining communities that need ethical investment the most.
Valerio Jewellery Position: We use recycled silver and platinum (there is no certification for recycled platinum therefore we work with refiners to the best we are able) for marginal environmental gains, but we source Fairtrade Gold that supports our position on human rights and invest our energy into delivering PeaceGold to the jewellery profession, as our commitment to peace and justice in high risk & conflict affected areas of the world.
THE 2024 STATISTICAL REALITY ON RECYCLED GOLD.
In 2024, the global gold supply remained dominated by new extraction. To ignore the source is to ignore the impact.
· Mine Production (Fresh Gold): 75% (Approx. 3,600 tonnes annually).
· Recycled Gold (Scrap): 25% (Approx. 1,200 tonnes annually).
The Statistical Reality: For every gram of gold recycled, three grams are pulled fresh from the earth. When a brand claims to be "100% recycled," they are simply ignoring the 75% of the market where the real social and environmental struggle resides.
THE THREE PILLARS OF THE RECYCLING MYTH.
1. The "Closed Loop" Myth
Gold has been a circular commodity for millennia. Labelling it "recycled" doesn't save the earth from a new mine; it simply shifts who buys the newly mined gold. It does nothing to lower the global demand for extraction. In truth jewellers are the best recyclers of material in the world. We throw nothing away. Old gold or scrap gold is what it used to be called, now it is branded ‘recycled’ to make it sound more virtuous. The reality is nothing has changed.
2. The Social Uplift Gap
Recycled metals offer zero social benefit. By retreating into "recycled" sources, brands abandon the 100 million people who depend on artisanal mining. We choose to source through the Fairtrade Gold certification process, thereby contributing to healthcare, education, and promoting mercury-free gold solutions through PeaceGold.
3. The Greenwashing Loophole
Because gold is fungible (Fungible refers to goods, assets, or commodities that are interchangeable, indistinguishable, and replaceable by others of identical type and value), "recycled" gold can be mixed with freshly mined gold at the refinery. Current industry standards often allow gold of unknown origin to be labeled as "recycled" simply because it has been reprocessed, masking the colonial baggage of "dirty" mining.
ENGAGEMENT VS. AVOIDANCE: A COMPARISON
Recycled Metal (Industry Standard):
· Social Impact: Zero (Passive)
· Environmental Impact: Avoidance-based
· Transparency: Anonymized Processing
Click on logo to visit the PeaceGold website
· Social Impact: High (Direct Community Benefit)
· Environmental Impact: Active Restoration of Landscapes
· Transparency: Full Traceability to the Mine
CONCLUSION
I believe the most beautiful thing about a piece of jewellery should be its story. We cannot recycle our way to an ethical jewellery profession. Valerio Jewellery is committed to transforming the 75%—the fresh gold—into a force for justice and peace. Please follow this blog and get on board with the Jewellery ReLoveution.
Greg Valerio MBE
Founder, Valerio Jewellery & PeaceGold
