Thinking sustainable gold?

There a fair amount in recent press of the big name brands releasing their first sustainable gold range.  Prada for example have a new range ‘eternal gold’ crafted from certified recycled gold. 

For the first time you can track the gold back to its origins, source and production history. 

It's a new highly promoted collection but is this new labelling and 'trend' needed?

Over 28% of the gold available as new fine jewellery right now is already recycled. Gold is simply used until it wears out, breaks, or outdates itself then it is melted down to begin again as fresh gold.

Then there is the secondhand market - call it what you will contemporary, classic, vintage - the market for secondhand watches and fine jewellery is worth over 22.5 billion Swiss francs per year (approx 200 billion GBP) with a growth of around 8% every year since 2021. 

There is nothing more sustainable, planet friendly, ‘green’ or environmentally good in the jewellery market than buying vintage. Even better than buying recycled gold. 

You are often buying better quality gemstones, unique classic cuts and settings, and it does not decrease in value. You new item - yes even your Prada recycled gold new item - will decrease by 20-40% the moment you leave the store with it. Yes once its a certain age it too will become sort after and ‘vintage’ but that may well be several generations after you. 

Since the Covid crisis and now the cost of living nightmare  the market is cautious about buying luxury. Called the ‘new reality of luxury’ by consulting groups people want durability, good value and something that will either increase in value or hold its value. 

The luxury brands are beginning to notice this - and taking interest in setting up partnerships, joint ventures or acquisitions to establish themselves in the ‘vintage; secondhand market. As was the case for Geneva based luxury group Richemont and Swiss retailer Bucherer who took over the uk site Watchfinder and the American retailer Tourneau. 

Here at Almagrove Jewellers, we have always believed in the sustainability of beautiful pieces of jewellery, and have many gorgeous vintage pieces available, as pictured throughout this article, with more added constantly.