Where does recycled gold come from?

Recycled gold starts from gold components that are disassembled and sorted based on their type, and environmentally harmful substances such as mercury are discarded. Once only the valuable components have been sorted and weighed, they are ready for a process known as "smelting." Subsequently, parts that can be recycled are melted using very high and controlled heat. The metal melts into a liquid after it's heated past its melting point and then the gold is separated. Each metal has unique properties and densities. Once gold and other metals are melted, they can be re-formed as needed. The refined metal is shaped and cooled into standard sizes and weights. These gold units can then be re-used. Processing centers distribute the metal to factories.

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Recycled gold starts from gold components that are disassembled and sorted based on their type, and environmentally harmful substances such as mercury are discarded. Once only the valuable components have been sorted and weighed, they are ready for a process known as "smelting." Subsequently, parts that can be recycled are melted using very high and controlled heat. The metal melts into a liquid after it's heated past its melting point and then the gold is separated. Each metal has unique properties and densities. Once gold and other metals are melted, they can be re-formed as needed. The refined metal is shaped and cooled into standard sizes and weights. These gold units can then be re-used. Processing centers distribute the metal to factories.

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Recycled gold starts from gold components that are disassembled and sorted based on their type, and environmentally harmful substances such as mercury are discarded. Once only the valuable components have been sorted and weighed, they are ready for a process known as "smelting." Subsequently, parts that can be recycled are melted using very high and controlled heat. The metal melts into a liquid after it's heated past its melting point and then the gold is separated. Each metal has unique properties and densities. Once gold and other metals are melted, they can be re-formed as needed. The refined metal is shaped and cooled into standard sizes and weights. These gold units can then be re-used. Processing centers distribute the metal to factories.

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Another thing you'll want to make sure about is the labor regulations where your recycled gold jewelry is manufactured. There's a lot of outsourcing going on, in order to reduce costs, but you never know if workers are being treated properly and legally in these places. When you buy jewelry, even if it is recycled, and therefore supposedly ecologically and socially friendly, make it your business to find out about where it's made and what conditions the employees are working under, especially if the production of the jewelry is outsourced. (and this is true about every consumer product. Not strictly gold or diamond jewelry.)

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Recycled gold can come from many sources. A lot of gold exists "above the ground" in people's old jewelry pieces. They'll never get good value for these jewels so recycling them to make better use of the metal is a wise decision on their part and it's much wiser ecologically, and also from a social aspect. Recycled gold also comes from industries and from electric components such as scrap PS boards. The reason continuing to mine gold is so dangerous is because the mining process entails the release of mercury as well as cyanide into water sources near the mine, and also personal safety hazards are frequent in the gold mining process. Other than that, gold mining is frowned upon by human-rights organizations as the mine workers are often subject to inhumane conditions, and their rights are frequently violated. Indigenous workers are often exploited in gold mining. Ecological movements and organizations encourage private customers to recycle their own gold and platinum jewelry that they no longer use, and some Eco-companies will give credit to customers who bring in their gold or platinum for recycling.
It is very important to make sure that the recycling centers your gold is taken to, employs environmentally friendly methods. You wouldn't want to recycle gold irresponsibly and cause additional damage to the environment.

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