Now more than ever, people are more conscious of the impact of their decisions on the environment, including when producing or purchasing jewelry. So, manufacturers and consumers now prioritize sustainable jewelry that has less impact on the environment.
These jewelry pieces are made from recycled and recyclable materials. Understanding these material types is crucial for eco-conscious consumers and brands.
In this article we will explore the differences between recycled vs recyclable materials and how they can be used to make eco-friendly sustainable jewelry.
What is Sustainable Jewelry & its Features?
For those who don’t know what is sustainable jewelry? It refers to jewelry whose raw materials are sourced and produced in an ethical and eco-friendly manner to reduce its environmental impact.
Here are the hallmarks of sustainable jewelry design and manufacturing:
Ethical Sourcing & Responsible Mining
The raw materials used are sourced ethically and with less environmental impact (get gemstones and metals from conflict-free zones). Strict priority is given to certified mines, environmental preservation, community engagement, and adherence to human rights.
Eco-Friendly Materials & Production Methods
Manufacturing sustainable jewelry involves the use of eco-friendly jewelry materials such as recycled metals, lab-grown gems, and low-impact dyes. The production methods involve the use of water-efficient processes and renewable energy, focusing on how to reduce the depletion of resources and waste.
Transparency & Traceability in the Supply Chain
Sustainable jewelry brands are always transparent about the process of sourcing raw materials and the production methods in order to build trust with consumers. They detail the origin of every component, provide supplier audits, ensure consumers access to material sourcing history, and grant full disclosure of their supply chain.
Fair Labor & Ethical Workplace Services
Compliance with fair trade guidelines that support workers and promote dignified employment standards. These guidelines entail that the workers carry out their duties under safe working conditions, they are paid fair wages, and there is no child labor.
Understanding Recycled Materials in Jewelry
Now let’s discuss what recycled materials are and why they are important in making long-lasting jewelry pieces.
What are Recycled Materials in Jewelry?
Jewelry recycled materials—such as gold, silver, diamonds, and gemstones—are sourced from existing pieces and reprocessed to create new jewelry. Not only do these pieces look stunning, but they also have a smaller environmental footprint.
Common Recycled Jewelry Materials
Examples of recycled jewelry materials are gold, silver, diamond, reclaimed gemstones, and other precious metals that are gotten from old jewelry such as your sterling silver jewelry, old coins, electrical scrap, and laboratory or industrial processes.
Is Recycled Jewelry Cheaper?
Recycled jewelry is not cheaper than any other new jewelry. Since the recycled materials used to make the jewelry have the same weight and metal value as newly mined ones, the final price of recycled jewelry is typically the same.
Understanding Recyclable Materials in Jewelry
Let’s also look at what metals are recyclable and their role in creating sustainable jewelry.
Source: Freepik
What are Recyclable Materials in Jewelry?
Recyclable materials in jewelry making refers to jewelry materials that can be collected and remanufactured into new pieces. These materials differ from recycled ones because they can be recycled but haven’t been recycled yet. To produce sustainable jewelry that are eco-friendly, prioritize recycling precious metals.
The recycling process has various benefits which includes preventing waste, reducing the need to extract & refining raw materials, reducing energy usage, and minimizing pollution.
Common Recyclable Jewelry Materials
They are precious metals (like gold & silver), natural gemstones, and certain alloys like steel, brass, & tin.
The recycling value of a material is directly linked to its intrinsic material value. For example, stainless steel is highly recyclable but due to its relatively low material value, it is often not reused directly in jewelry and is instead passed down to downstream recycling industries.
The table below shows examples of recyclable materials, their level of recyclability, and common places you can get them from.
| Material | Recyclability | Common Sources for Recycling |
| Gold (14K–24K) | Highly recyclable; can be melted and reused indefinitely | Old jewelry, dental gold, electronic components |
| Sterling Silver (925) | Easily recyclable; can be refined back to pure silver | Jewelry, silverware, electronics |
| Stainless Steel | Fully recyclable in metal facilities | Watchbands, mens accessories, industrial parts |
| Brass | Recyclable, but alloy separation can be more labor-intensive | Costume jewelry, vintage items, plumbing and hardware |
| Natural Gemstones | Reusable through re-cutting, re-polishing, and re-setting | Antique jewelry, estate collections, second-hand stones |
How to Prove the Recyclable Materials
If you want to confirm if the materials used to make your jewelry e.g. your stainless steel jewelry are recyclable, then do the following.
- Check for stamped markings (such as “14K”, “925”, & “Stainless Steel”) on your jewelry. These markings are indicators of authentic and recyclable materials.
- Go to an independent assay lab and test the metals to confirm their composition, ensuring they are pure enough to be recycled. This is particularly useful for verifying precious metals like gold & platinum.
Key Differences: Recycled vs. Recyclable Materials
The major difference between these materials is that recycled materials are already repurposed to be used for another jewelry while recyclable materials haven’t gone through the recycling process yet, but they are potentially reusable in the future. Other key differences range from their sources, sustainability impact, and consumers’ perception.
Outlined below are the key differences between recycled vs recyclable materials used in jewelry production.
| Feature | Recycled Materials | Recyclable Materials |
| Source | Post-consumer or industrial waste | Newly made but designed for recycling |
| Sustainability Impact | High – avoids new resource mining | Potential – if recycled |
| Reusability | Already reused | Can be reused but not yet |
| Consumer Perception | Viewed as eco-friendly | Viewed as eco-friendly |
The Recycling Process in Jewelry Manufacturing
As a jewelry brand or an eco-friendly consumer, understanding how to recycle jewelry is very important. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Material Collection
The recycling process begins with collecting unwanted, broken, or outdated jewelry (e.g. rings or necklaces), electronics, and other scrap metals from consumers, jewelers, or industrial sources.
Step 2: Sorting & Evaluation
The collected jewelry are sorted based on material type (e.g. gold, silver, or platinum), and quality (e.g. karat purity for gold). Gemstones are separated if reusable.
Step 3: Dismantling
Jewelry pieces that are made from combinations of various materials are broken down to separate metals from gemstones or non-recyclable components (e.g. plastics & enamels).
Step 4: Melting & Refining
The recyclable metals are melted and purified to remove impurities, alloys, and contaminants, resulting in high-purity raw materials using electrolytic or chemical methods.
Step 5: Reusing or Repurposing
The refined metals are used to create new jewelry pieces, while salvaged gemstones can be reset into new designs.
How Zearrow Practices Sustainability in the Factory?
As a reputable custom jewelry manufacturer, Zearrow always practice sustainability when manufacturing jewelry pieces. Explained below are some of our practices:
Prioritizing Recyclable Materials
We prioritize incorporating recyclable materials into our production process without overburdening the supply chain or overinvesting in the verification and tracing of recycled sources. Therefore, we are able to strike a balance between sustainability and operational efficiency.
Efficient Use of In-House Waste Materials
Zearrow actively participates in the reuse of waste generated during production, maximizing material usage from the same batch, and promoting a circular lifestyle for jewelry products. For example, grinding imperfect pearls into powder to create shell pearls for pearl jewelry, achieving an impressive 90% utilization rate, and minimizing waste.
Recycling Defective Products into New Designs
Zearrow accepts return of defective pieces, especially gold and silver items and responsibly reintegrate them into new jewelry collections, reducing waste and material loss.
Sustainable Strategies for Jewelry Brand Owners
As jewelry brand owners, here are strategies that you can use to produce very sustainable jewelry pieces:
Eco-Friendly Packaging Choices
Ensure your jewelry brand makes use of sustainable jewelry packaging materials like recyclable paper or biodegradable alternatives to reduce plastic waste and environmental impact.
Sustainable Shipping and Logistics
Select logistics partners that are committed to green practices, such as using biodegradable packaging, electric vehicles, and optimizing deliveries by ensuring trucks run at full capacity.
Incorporating Recyclable Materials
Always ensure that you use recyclable metals and stones in product design to minimize waste and support a circular economy within the jewelry industry.
Conclusion
Now that you know the differences between recycled vs recyclable materials and their importance in jewelry making, always ensure that you purchase your jewelry pieces from manufacturers like Zearrow that are committed to eco-friendly and ethical production of sustainable jewelry every step of the way. Ready to get started, contact us today.
