What is recycled gold ?

As in any recycling process, waste is used to produce recycled gold. This is gold-bearing waste or scrap such as mining waste, manufacturing waste from the jewelry industry or even gold that individuals hold and which they resell to companies specializing in purchase of gold. or. Gold contained in electronic waste (computer, smartphone, etc.) can also be recycled.), even if it is present in smaller quantities.

To obtain recycled gold, the method is the same as that used centuries, even millennia, ago. Although technologies have evolved considerably in this sector of activity! This involves melting the gold, then reconditioning it for the manufacture of lgold ingots, gold coins, jewelry accessories, etc.

When gold alloys (gold mixed with other metals such as silver or copper to make jewelry for example) are melted, they go through a refining stage, allowing to recover only the famous golden metal.

In a double-speed era between ecological awareness and exacerbated capitalism, the question of recycled gold divides, and it is not without reason.

Recycled gold to reduce waste, pollution and environmental destruction

It goes without saying that thanks to the recycling of gold, we can largely limit the quantity of waste produced. In a way, buying jewelry, bars or pieces made from recycled gold allows you to reduce your impact on the environment. Especially since, even if it has been recycled over and over again, the gold retains its quality and is just as pure as if it came from gold mines or rivers.

Reusing gold already in circulation also, in theory, reduces the need to extract it from mines, since each year, the supply of recycled gold helps meet global demand. However, we know that mining sometimes poses an ethical and environmental problem, when standards and recommendations are not respected. We are talking in particular about child labor and the low income of mining workers around the world, the destruction of natural habitats to dig mines, the use of dangerous products for the extraction process (cyanide, mercury, etc.).), the impressive quantity of liters of water required, etc. From this point of view, the use of recycled gold guarantees a more responsible purchase.

An idea of ​​responsible purchasing to put into perspective

To be able to be recycled, gold must first be extracted. It never falls from the sky and cannot be synthesized by humans, as is also the case with diamonds for example. There is therefore no zero impact, even with recycled gold.

Next, gold is not only a raw material for making jewelry, parts, electronic components and other objects, but it is also and above all a precious metal used as a safe haven and currency. 'exchange. In search of wealth, the gold industry therefore has every interest in continuing to extract tons and tons of gold, rather than recycling gold already in circulation.

Without forgetting that millions of people, often in countries with a low standard of living, eat their fill and have a roof over their heads thanks to the work of gold extraction. The ethical and equitable question of recycled gold therefore deserves to be asked.

If you plan to buy a beautiful piece of jewelry for Mother's Day or treat yourself to pretty earrings, you should know that recycled gold remains a good choice from an ecological point of view. But if you want to focus on the ethical dimension, turn for example to Fairmined labeled products. The Fairmined label guarantees decent work and better living conditions for miners, who extract gold in artisanal-scale mining operations, while limiting their environmental impact as much as possible.

You are looking for bars made from recycled gold ? You would like the gold you own to be used to make new gold objects ? Trust Gold Union France: we offer the repurchase of gold at the best price for our clients, depending on the gold price. The metal is then recycled, thus avoiding extracting “new gold”. We also sell gold and silver coins and bars, some of which come from recycled metals.