Gold recycling is how we turn old, damaged or unwanted jewellery into new rings, without needing gold dug out of the earth. Here is how our gold recycling process works, step by step.
Precious metals are truly remarkable, not just because of how they look, but their chemical properties too. Gold can be melted down and made into something new, and that is the idea behind everything we make.
Key Takeaways
- Old jewellery: we take jewellery that is damaged or no longer wanted.
- Pure gold: our process gives us gold in its purest state of 24 carat.
- Safe chemicals: all chemicals used are neutralised and are no longer harmful.
- Less mining: recycled gold cuts out the need for gold extracted from the earth.
- Handcrafted: we make your new jewellery by hand in Perth.
How Our Gold Recycling Process Works
When we recycle our metal, we take old jewellery that is damaged or no longer wanted. We melt it all together and through a very specific process we extract the metals individually, giving us gold in its purest state of 24 carat.
Here are the steps in the order they happen.
- Collect: we gather old jewellery that is damaged or no longer wanted, so it can be used again instead of thrown away.
- Melt: all of the metal is melted together.
- Separate: a very specific process extracts each metal individually.
- Purify: the gold ends up in its purest state of 24 carat.
- Neutralise: every chemical used is neutralised so it is no longer harmful.
- Create: we make new jewellery from the recycled metal, by hand, in Perth.
What Happens to the Chemicals
And all chemicals used are neutralised and are no longer harmful. That is an important part of how we keep the process responsible from start to finish.
- During the process: chemicals are part of the specific process used to separate the metals.
- After the process: they are neutralised and no longer harmful.
- The result: pure gold that is ready to become new jewellery.
Why We Recycle Gold
This allows us to make new jewellery from the metal, cutting out the need to use gold which has been extracted from the earth at major environmental costs.
These costs include the use of cyanide and its resulting contamination, as well as the destruction and defacing of the land from where the gold is mined.
| Point | Recycled gold | Newly mined gold |
|---|---|---|
| Where it comes from | Old jewellery that is damaged or no longer wanted | Extracted from the earth |
| Chemicals | Neutralised and no longer harmful | Includes the use of cyanide and its resulting contamination |
| The land | No new mine is needed | Destruction and defacing of the land where the gold is mined |
| Purity | Gold in its purest state of 24 carat | Refined before it is made into jewellery |
From 24 Carat Gold to Your Ring
Pure 24 carat gold is mixed with other metals to make the 9k, 14k and 18k gold used in jewellery. The carat tells you how many parts out of 24 are pure gold.
| Gold | Parts pure gold | Percentage pure gold |
|---|---|---|
| 9k | 9 out of 24 | 37.5% |
| 14k | 14 out of 24 | 58.3% |
| 18k | 18 out of 24 | 75% |
| 24k | 24 out of 24 | 100% |
Our guide to gold carats and colours explains which one suits your ring.
Why Gold Suits Recycling
Gold is one of the few materials that can be melted down and used again. That is why recycling works so well for jewellery, and why we build our rings this way.
- It melts: old jewellery can be melted together and separated back into individual metals.
- It can be pure: our process takes gold back to its purest state of 24 carat.
- It can be reused: that pure gold is made into new jewellery.
- It lasts: a well made gold ring can be worn for years.
Recycled Gold Across Our Collections
We use recycled gold across the jewellery we make. You can find it in every part of the range.
- Engagement rings: nature inspired designs, handcrafted in Perth.
- Wedding rings: bands for her and for him.
- Wedding ring sets: matching rings that sit together.
- Custom rings: a design made just for you.
How You Can Choose Recycled Gold
You do not need to be a metals expert to choose well. A few simple habits make it easy to buy jewellery that is kinder to the earth.
- Ask first: check whether the gold in a ring is recycled or newly mined.
- Look for detail: a jeweller that recycles should be able to explain the process, like we do here.
- Choose to last: pick a design you will love for years, so it never needs replacing.
- Keep it going: look after your ring so it stays beautiful for life.
Questions to Ask Any Jeweller About Recycled Gold
If sustainability matters to you, these questions help you compare jewellers on the same points.
- Where does the gold come from? Ask if it is recycled or newly mined.
- What happens to the chemicals? Ask how they are handled and whether they are neutralised.
- Who makes the ring? Ask if it is handcrafted and where.
- What is the gold carat? Ask if it is 9k, 14k or 18k.
You can read more about how we work on our Our Ethos page, and in our guide to recycled gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is recycled gold?
Recycled gold is gold that has been taken from old jewellery that is damaged or no longer wanted, melted down and refined, then used to make new jewellery. It means new gold does not need to be extracted from the earth for your ring.
Is recycled gold real gold?
Yes. Recycled gold is real gold. Through our process the metals are extracted individually, which gives us gold in its purest state of 24 carat. We then use that gold to make new jewellery, so nothing about the metal itself is lower quality.
Why is gold mining bad for the environment?
Mined gold comes at major environmental costs. These costs include the use of cyanide and its resulting contamination, as well as the destruction and defacing of the land from where the gold is mined. Recycling cuts out the need to use gold extracted this way.
What happens to the chemicals used in recycling?
All chemicals used in our gold recycling process are neutralised and are no longer harmful. The process separates the metals individually, and the chemicals are dealt with before we make new jewellery from the gold. This is a key reason we choose to recycle.
Do you use recycled gold in your rings?
Yes, we use recycled gold. Every ring is handcrafted by us in Perth, and you can read more about our approach on our Our Ethos page. If you have a question about the metal in a particular ring, call or email us and we will happily help.
Shop Rings Made From Recycled Gold
Ready to see recycled gold in a finished ring? Browse our ethical engagement rings or our gold wedding rings, and buy online with free express shipping.
Have a question about our gold recycling process? Call us on +61 8 6323 8494 or email info@vinnyandcharles.com and we will talk you through it.
