Recycling Sterling Silver
Recycling sterling silver involves several key steps to ensure that the material is reclaimed efficiently and effectively. Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper, which can be recycled to minimise waste and environmental impact.
Collection: The first step in the recycling process is the collection of sterling silver materials. This can include old jewellery, flatware, or any other items made of sterling silver. These items are often sourced from consumers, jewellers, or recycling facilities.
Sorting: Once collected, the items are sorted based on their silver content and condition. This is important as impurities or non-silver items can contaminate the recycling process. Items that are heavily tarnished or damaged may require special handling.
Melting: The sorted sterling silver is then melted down at high temperatures. This process often includes the addition of flux to help remove impurities and oxides from the metal.
Refining: After melting, the silver is refined to separate the pure silver from other metals and contaminants. This can involve chemical processes or electrolysis, which ensures that the resulting silver meets the required standards for quality.
Casting: The purified silver is then cast into ingots or another form that allows for easy transportation and storage. These ingots can then be sold to manufacturers or used to create new silver products.
Manufacturing: Finally, the recycled sterling silver is ready to be used in the production of new items, such as jewellery, utensils, or industrial components. This not only reduces the need for newly mined silver but also contributes to a more sustainable cycle of usage.
Recycling sterling silver not only helps conserve natural resources but also reduces the environmental impact associated with mining and processing new silver. When recycling silver, it is essential to ensure that proper practices are followed to maintain the quality and standards of the final product.
As an independent jeweller, our recycling is done on a smaller scale which further reduces the carbon footprint. The video below demonstrates how this is achieved.
