Recycled Metals

Recycled Metals in Fine Jewellery

Beautiful, Ethical, and Environmentally Responsible

🌍 Sustainability Meets Luxury

At RÊVE GEMS, we combine lab-grown gemstones with recycled precious metals to create jewellery that's as kind to the planet as it is beautiful. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our stones to every aspect of our craft.

What Are Recycled Metals?

Recycled precious metals are gold, silver, and platinum that have been reclaimed from existing jewellery, industrial applications, and electronic components, then refined to the same purity standards as newly mined metals.

Important: Recycled metals are chemically identical to newly mined metals. There is absolutely no difference in quality, purity, appearance, or durability. The only difference is their origin—and their significantly lower environmental impact.

Why We Choose Recycled Metals

🌱 Environmental Protection

Eliminates the need for destructive mining operations that cause deforestation, habitat loss, and water pollution.

💧 Water Conservation

Recycling metals uses up to 95% less water than mining and refining new metals from ore.

⚡ Energy Efficiency

Recycling precious metals requires significantly less energy than mining and processing virgin materials.

🌍 Carbon Reduction

Lower carbon emissions throughout the production process compared to traditional mining.

♻️ Circular Economy

Keeps valuable materials in use, reducing waste and the demand for new mining.

✓ Identical Quality

Same purity, beauty, and durability as newly mined metals—certified to the same standards.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Mining

⚠️ The True Cost of Mined Metals

Environmental Damage:

  • Deforestation and habitat destruction
  • Soil erosion and degradation
  • Water pollution from toxic chemicals
  • Air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Landscape scarring and ecosystem disruption

Staggering Statistics:

  • 20 tonnes of ore for 1 gold wedding ring
  • Massive water consumption (millions of litres)
  • High carbon emissions from operations
  • Toxic waste generation
  • Irreversible environmental damage

The Reality: Traditional gold mining is one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world. By choosing recycled metals, we eliminate the need for this damage entirely.

The Recycling Process

Our recycled precious metals undergo a rigorous refining process to ensure they meet the highest purity standards:

1

Collection

Precious metals are collected from old jewellery, industrial scrap, and electronic components.

2

Sorting

Materials are carefully sorted by metal type and purity level.

3

Refining

Metals are melted and refined to remove impurities, achieving 99.9%+ purity.

4

Certification

Refined metals are tested and certified to meet industry purity standards.

5

Crafting

Pure recycled metals are crafted into beautiful jewellery by our skilled artisans.

Our Recycled Metal Options

✨ Recycled Gold

Available in 9ct, 14ct, and 18ct | Yellow, White, and Rose Gold

  • Yellow Gold: Classic, warm, and timeless—perfect for traditional and vintage-inspired designs
  • White Gold: Modern and elegant—rhodium-plated for a brilliant silvery-white finish
  • Rose Gold: Romantic and contemporary—the copper alloy creates a beautiful pink hue
  • Purity Options: 9ct (37.5% gold), 14ct (58.5% gold), 18ct (75% gold)
  • Quality Guarantee: All recycled gold meets the same hallmarking standards as mined gold

⚪ Recycled Platinum

95% Pure Platinum | Hypoallergenic and Extremely Durable

  • Exceptional Durability: Denser and stronger than gold—ideal for everyday wear
  • Hypoallergenic: Perfect for sensitive skin—naturally pure and non-reactive
  • Naturally White: Never needs re-plating—maintains its colour forever
  • Prestigious: The ultimate luxury metal—rarer than gold
  • Develops Patina: Natural patina adds character; can be polished to restore shine

🌟 Recycled Silver

Sterling Silver (92.5% Pure) | Affordable Luxury

  • Sterling Silver: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper for strength
  • Versatile: Perfect for everyday jewellery and statement pieces
  • Affordable: Accessible luxury without compromising on quality
  • Bright Lustre: Beautiful reflective finish when polished
  • Easy Care: Simple to maintain with regular polishing

Quality & Certification

✓ Guaranteed Purity & Standards

  • Hallmarked: All our gold and platinum jewellery is hallmarked by UK Assay Offices, guaranteeing metal purity
  • Certified Refiners: We source from certified refiners who meet strict environmental and ethical standards
  • Traceable: Our recycled metals come from verified, responsible sources
  • Same Standards: Recycled metals meet identical purity standards as newly mined metals
  • Quality Testing: Every piece undergoes rigorous quality control

Comparing Recycled vs. Newly Mined Metals

Characteristic Recycled Metals ✨ Newly Mined Metals
Purity Identical - 99.9%+ pure after refining 99.9%+ pure after refining
Quality Identical - Same appearance, durability, and properties Same quality
Hallmarking Same standards - Meets all UK hallmarking requirements Same hallmarking
Environmental Impact Minimal - No mining, 95% less water, lower emissions Severe - Deforestation, pollution, high emissions
Energy Use Significantly lower - Recycling uses less energy High energy consumption
Water Usage 95% less - Minimal water required Millions of litres per operation
Ethical Concerns None - No mining-related issues Potential labour and community impacts
Sustainability Circular economy - Infinitely recyclable Finite resource being depleted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycled gold as good as new gold?

Yes, absolutely. Recycled gold is chemically identical to newly mined gold. After refining, it achieves the same 99.9%+ purity and is indistinguishable in quality, appearance, and durability. It's hallmarked to the same standards.

Can you tell the difference between recycled and mined metals?

No. Once refined, recycled metals are molecularly identical to newly mined metals. There is no visual, physical, or chemical difference whatsoever. Even expert jewellers cannot tell them apart.

Will recycled metal jewellery last as long?

Yes. Recycled metals have identical durability and longevity to newly mined metals. Your jewellery will last for generations with proper care, regardless of whether the metal is recycled or newly mined.

Where do recycled metals come from?

Recycled precious metals come from old jewellery, industrial scrap, dental applications, and electronic components. These materials are collected, refined to high purity, and certified before being crafted into new jewellery.

Are recycled metals more affordable?

Recycled metals are priced similarly to newly mined metals as they meet the same purity standards. The real value is in the environmental and ethical benefits—you get the same quality whilst protecting the planet.

Can I recycle my old jewellery?

Yes! We offer a jewellery recycling service. Contact us to learn about trading in your old gold, silver, or platinum jewellery. We'll ensure it's responsibly recycled and can offer credit towards new pieces.

🌍 The RÊVE GEMS Sustainability Promise

We're committed to creating beautiful jewellery that doesn't cost the earth—literally.

Lab-Grown Gemstones + Recycled Precious Metals = 100% Sustainable Luxury

Every piece of RÊVE GEMS jewellery represents our commitment to:
✓ Zero mining impact
✓ Minimal environmental footprint
✓ Ethical and traceable materials
✓ Exceptional quality and beauty
✓ A sustainable future for fine jewellery

Ready to Make a Difference?

Choose jewellery that's as beautiful for the planet as it is for you. Explore our collection of lab-grown gemstones set in recycled precious metals.