Embracing Sustainability in Jewellery

When we see a truly magnificent jewellery piece, we’re usually quick to take note of its shine, sparkle, and lustre. What we often tend to overlook though is whether or not the raw materials used in the piece are ‘sustainable’. Unfortunately, when it comes to the sustainability of a piece of jewellery, this process doesn’t actually have any industry-set standards. That’s why it’s always important to ask the right questions when purchasing any ‘sustainable jewellery’ for yourself.

Recycled gold jewellery next to old gold jewellery on a brown cloth

What is Sustainable Jewellery?

One of the most obvious examples of ‘sustainability’ in jewellery is using recycled precious metals to make new rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.

Gold, silver, and platinum, as well as other highly valuable metals, can all be easily recycled by melting and then reforming them into something entirely new. These metals never lose their qualities when they’re reused – an important point from both an environmental and financial standpoint.

At Martin Gear Jewellers, we believe that sustainability is all about being consciously aware of each purchase you make, taking the time to know how a piece of jewellery is made, and the impact it has on the environment. Sustainability is also all about us meeting our own needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Why is Sustainability Important?

In 2018, Vogue magazine highlighted the major impacts that the jewellery industry has on both our social and natural environment:

“Mining for gold, one of the most widely used materials in jewellery, has resulted in the displacement of indigenous communities from gold-rich regions, and the pollution of waterways due to the spillage of chemicals like cyanide and mercury, which are used to separate gold from ore.”

As well as this, cases such as child labour being used in some sectors of the gold mining industry, along with the social dangers of using so-called ‘blood diamonds’, which fuel conflict in the areas in which they are mined, are also widely reported in the news.
That’s why it’s important, now more than ever, to ensure that the jewellery you buy is from manufacturers who are treating workers fairly, using eco-friendly and ethical production techniques, and sourcing their metals, diamonds, and other stones, from sustainable mines and production systems.

a lake in romainia that has been polluted with mining chemicals

engagement rings made from recycled gold

How Do We Promote Sustainability?

We understand and recognise that our practices have an impact on the environment. As a result, we constantly strive to ensure that we have our ethical and sustainability standards in order. Specifically, we are 100% committed to:

Use artisanal methods which are non-toxic.
Use recycled metals as much as possible.
Work with non-conflict stones.
Be sensible about the raw materials that we source.
Observe sustainable office and workshop practices.

As jewellery manufacturers ourselves, we also use our own local craftsmanship in order to create stunning jewellery pieces using a combination of both recycled and fairly mined material. We achieve this by paying some of the highest prices in Dublin for unwanted and scrap gold. We then sell this jewellery directly from our own store, cutting out the middleman, and minimising negative impacts on the environment.