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Gold has long been treasured for its beauty and allure, but the mining of this precious metal has often resulted in environmental degradation and has been associated with human rights abuses and social welfare issues. In the realm of sustainable jewellery, ethical gold has emerged as a responsible alternative. Jacqueline & Edward use exclusively recycled gold and other precious metals, so we’ve compiled this guide to help explain our choice and to empower you to make informed choices for your jewellery collection.
Ethical gold, also known as responsible gold, prioritises environmental protection, social responsibility, and fair labour practices. Ethical gold can either be responsibly mined gold that adheres to strict social and environmental standards or recycled gold that comes from old or unwanted jewellery, scrap metal or electronic waste. Both recycled and responsibly-mined gold have their place in fostering positive change, and choosing either option can make a difference in promoting ethical practices within the jewellery industry.
When making your decision, it is important to consider the environmental impact, traceability and transparency, carbon footprint and long-term sustainability:
Responsibly mined gold aims to reduce the extraction process’s negative environmental impact while using recycled gold avoids the need for further mining altogether. Consider which option best aligns with your commitment to environmental sustainability.
Responsible gold mining companies should be able to operate with transparent supply chains, allowing you to trace the origin of the gold to ensure it doesn’t come from conflict zones. Recycled gold is unlikely to offer the same level of traceability.
Mining gold can have a significant carbon footprint due to the energy-intensive processes used in its extraction and refining. Recycled gold generally has a lower carbon footprint as it involves reprocessing existing materials.
Assess the long-term implications of your choice. Encouraging sustainable practices in the gold industry can have positive effects on the environment and communities for years to come.
Newly mined ethical gold is gold that has been mined in accordance with responsible gold mining principles that address key environmental, social and governance issues in the gold mining sector. This means that the mining operations prioritise environmental sustainability, maintain transparency in their supply chains, and uphold fair labour standards, ensuring the safety and well-being of workers. The focus on responsible mining aims to minimise the negative impact on ecosystems and local communities, while also contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and responsible gold industry.
For small-scale and artisanal gold miners, the Fairmined Gold initiative aims to apply the same high ethical and environmental standards to those operators for whom regulation has tended to be far less effective. Fairmined-certified gold comes from artisanal and small-scale miners that have been certified to the Fairmined standard, meaning by awarding a label that the gold has been extracted using responsible mining practices that seek to make a positive economic, social and environmental impact. Fairmined gold is also guaranteed to be fully traceable, with safe working conditions and clean water supplies.
According to the Alliance for Responsible Mining, over 50% of the world’s gold mines are currently operated unethically, highlighting the significant positive impact that certification schemes like the Fairmined initiative can have on the gold mining sector as a whole.
Whilst Fairmined Gold certificates theoretically ensure that environmental protection and labour standards are upheld, several studies have shown that this is dependent on the enforcement of legislation from the state, they are only able to operate properly when they are monitored. The enforcement of legislation at the state level, and therefore Fairmined Gold is not necessarily the guarantee of ethical and environmental best practice that consumers may assume.
An alternative to newly mined gold is recycled and upcycled gold. Choosing jewellery made from recycled gold helps reduce the demand for further mining and prevents additional environmental impacts. Recycled gold is gold obtained from old or unwanted jewellery, scrap metal, and electronic waste, which has been refined to create gold that has exactly the same purity as virgin mined gold, but without the need for additional mining.
Recycling gold in this way helps to conserve natural resources, reduces water and energy consumption, and prevents the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. Upcycled gold takes recycling a step further by repurposing gold from discarded items into new, innovative designs, promoting sustainability in the jewellery industry. Choosing recycled or upcycled gold supports the circular economy and helps to conserve precious resources, making it an environmentally and socially responsible choice for those seeking ethical and sustainable alternatives in their gold purchase.
Newly mined ethical gold is extracted using responsible mining practices that aim to minimise environmental harm and benefit the local community. This includes reducing the use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, implementing land restoration measures, and protecting local ecosystems and water sources, but the effectiveness of such responsible mining practices is likely to depend on how effective the certification and audit procedures are, and how widespread the uptake of such practices is.
At Jacqueline and Edward we prefer to use recycled gold to be absolutely certain we are not contributing further to potentially harmful mining practices.
One of the key aspects of ethical gold is the assurance of fair labour standards. This involves providing safe working conditions, fair wages, and adequate protection for miners and their communities. Ethical gold certifications require transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, ensuring miners receive fair compensation for their work and that child labour and exploitative practices are eliminated.
Ethical gold initiatives often support artisanal and small-scale miners, who play a significant role in the gold industry but are often vulnerable to exploitation. By choosing jewellery made with ethical gold, you contribute to the empowerment of these miners, supporting their livelihoods and fostering sustainable development within their communities.
Whilst both newly mined gold and recycled gold have their merits, at Jacqueline and Edward, we have made the decision to use recycled gold for several reasons.
Mining is a resource-intensive and energy-intensive process that can have potentially significant adverse environmental impacts. By choosing recycled gold, we can be certain that we are not contributing further to potentially harmful mining practices, and in doing so, we hope to play our part in the shift to a more environmentally and socially conscious jewellery industry. Our support of the circular economy is also an important aspect to us. By working only with recycled gold, we feel we actively encourage the continual reuse and repurposing of materials, reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Choosing ethical gold for your jewellery allows you to adorn yourself with beauty while making a positive impact on the world. By understanding the principles of responsible mining, fair labour practices, and the significance of recycled gold, you can confidently select jewellery that aligns with your values. Ethical gold can support small-scale miners and promote responsible practices within the jewellery industry. As mentioned, at Jacqueline and Edward, we use recycled gold, however, we are keen to empower you to make a personal decision on the origins of your metal type.
