Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum and their alloys – i.e. combinations with other metals – as well as the platinum metals rhodium, palladium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium.
Precious metals
Precious metals are rare, expensive and valuable, easy to work with, resistant, they do not oxidize ; the cultural value of precious metals is even higher - from the Aztecs, who believed gold to be the excrement of the gods , to the gold rush in 19th century America, to the "treasure in Silver Lake": gold, silver and platinum have fascinated mankind for thousands of years!
You know the scene from western films or the Olympic Games: If you want to be sure that a gold coin or medal is genuine, you bite into it hard. If you can see the bite marks, then – according to legend – the coin is genuine. And indeed: precious metals are relatively soft and are therefore usually only used in alloyed form for making jewelry ...
...various metal additives such as copper, silver, palladium or zinc are added to the base material (fine gold, fine silver or fine platinum) to form an alloy. The alloy increases the hardness, changes the melting point and the color - and of course the price.
Speaking of price: precious metal prices are subject to constant fluctuations and can change within just a few minutes. The reasons for this are economic and political factors, but also country-specific events of various kinds.
Recycled gold
We at Feichtinger do not source our fine gold from mines, but use 100% recycled gold!
The use of recycled gold in the jewelry industry represents a responsible and resource-saving approach that also emphasizes fairness towards people and the environment. This sustainable approach has become increasingly important in recent years and reflects a growing awareness of the impact of jewelry production on our environment.
Responsible:
- Using recycled gold reduces the need for newly mined gold, helping to minimize the environmental impact of mining activities. This helps the jewelry industry establish more responsible and sustainable practices.
Resource-saving:
- Recycling gold reduces the need for new resources, which is particularly important as gold mining is often associated with environmental problems such as deforestation, water pollution and land degradation. Reusing existing gold helps reduce pressure on these delicate ecosystems.
Fair:
- Recycled gold can also contribute to fairer jewelry production. It minimizes the risk of human rights violations and unethical labor practices often associated with conventional gold mining. The focus is on promoting transparent supply chains and supporting socially responsible practices.
Minimize environmental impact:
- Gold mining has significant environmental impacts, including the release of harmful chemicals and the destruction of habitats. Recycled gold reduces these impacts by reducing the need for new mines and lessening the burden on the environment.
In summary, the use of recycled gold helps the jewellery industry become more sustainable, responsible and fair. This approach is in line with growing consumer demands for ethical products and promotes positive change across the industry.
