The dazzling beauty of rings, necklaces, and other types of jewelry has long been associated with style, social stature, love, and sentimental value. Impressive as they may be, what most wearers are oblivious to is the degree of environmental harm that is involved to obtain the precious metals and stones used to craft these pieces. By opting to buy sustainable jewelry NYC collectors can help play a role in the reduction of this damage.
The most common metals used to craft jewelry are silver, platinum, and gold. They are naturally found in very small quantities within ore and rocks, which are only accessible by way of very destructive mining processes which rip apart the earth and involve the use of hazardous elements such as mercury and cyanide that can leave behind considerable contaminating waste products.
Purchasing previously owned jewelry or melting down older pieces and having them re-crafted into new designs by a jeweler is the best way to reduce the need for mining more metals. Platinum is a bit different however, and will require the expertise of someone who specializes in refining it. Some jewelers also insist on only selling environmentally-conscious precious metals.
Although diamonds do not require the use of potentially toxic materials to extract them they do ruin the landscape substantially. One variety of diamond in Canada is found beneath the bottom of some lakes, but these too need mining, once the lake is drained for excavation. In some countries, these gems are a resource which helps fund wars and other forms of violence, however recent treaties have made some important changes to this.
Australian and Canadian diamonds are not at the center of any conflict, making them a better choice than those mined in some other nations. Some mining companies have also started restoring the land when excavation is finished. Purchasing man-made diamonds is another alternative that still looks good and causes no environmental damage.
The colored gemstones, for instance, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, must also be extracted from the earth using destructive processes, and these too can be the object of political conflict. During their processing and refining, they are often treated with radiation, heat, and resin fillers to make them look the most dazzling, but all of these can present health hazards to those working with them.
Because these gemstones are found closer to the rock surface, they don't call for as much destructive extraction as diamonds. Research conducted by some companies in the mining industry has also allowed them to alter their practices in a way that limits the pollution produced during extraction. Gemstones can also be recycled by removing them from one piece and resetting them in another.
Buyers can do their part to promote awareness of the importance of sustainable jewelry by always asking retailers about the origin of the metals and gems. They will provide this information if they realize that it matters to their customers, and they will in turn become more aware of it themselves in the process.
The most common metals used to craft jewelry are silver, platinum, and gold. They are naturally found in very small quantities within ore and rocks, which are only accessible by way of very destructive mining processes which rip apart the earth and involve the use of hazardous elements such as mercury and cyanide that can leave behind considerable contaminating waste products.
Purchasing previously owned jewelry or melting down older pieces and having them re-crafted into new designs by a jeweler is the best way to reduce the need for mining more metals. Platinum is a bit different however, and will require the expertise of someone who specializes in refining it. Some jewelers also insist on only selling environmentally-conscious precious metals.
Although diamonds do not require the use of potentially toxic materials to extract them they do ruin the landscape substantially. One variety of diamond in Canada is found beneath the bottom of some lakes, but these too need mining, once the lake is drained for excavation. In some countries, these gems are a resource which helps fund wars and other forms of violence, however recent treaties have made some important changes to this.
Australian and Canadian diamonds are not at the center of any conflict, making them a better choice than those mined in some other nations. Some mining companies have also started restoring the land when excavation is finished. Purchasing man-made diamonds is another alternative that still looks good and causes no environmental damage.
The colored gemstones, for instance, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, must also be extracted from the earth using destructive processes, and these too can be the object of political conflict. During their processing and refining, they are often treated with radiation, heat, and resin fillers to make them look the most dazzling, but all of these can present health hazards to those working with them.
Because these gemstones are found closer to the rock surface, they don't call for as much destructive extraction as diamonds. Research conducted by some companies in the mining industry has also allowed them to alter their practices in a way that limits the pollution produced during extraction. Gemstones can also be recycled by removing them from one piece and resetting them in another.
Buyers can do their part to promote awareness of the importance of sustainable jewelry by always asking retailers about the origin of the metals and gems. They will provide this information if they realize that it matters to their customers, and they will in turn become more aware of it themselves in the process.
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