Recycling Gold Jewelry

It’s more likely that many of us would lookspent a fortune.
through our gold jewelry boxes and find a number- String some beads and baubles together, and
of items that are somewhat the worse for wear:then tie on the center of a piece of 10? ribbon. 
diamond gold necklaces in need of restringing, pinsTie the ribbon around a book to use as a
with broken clasps, bracelets that are out ofbookmark.
style, diamond gold earrings you’re tired of.Glue interesting piecing onto a picture frame to
How about taking these items and turn them intogive it a customized look
something completely new.The jewelry industry relies heavily upon mining
Here are a few suggestions:companies to generate raw materials for their
Gather photos of you and a friend and print themproducts; unfortunately the mining process
out to make a 2009 calendar.Choose some ofcreates significant waste and contaminants,
your earrings to dress up the photos.causing harm to the land and its inhabitants. A
Completely take apart diamond gold jewelrysignificant amount of metal (gold, silver, platinum,
pieces that aren’t working, then:etc) is also mined by artisanal and small-scale
- If you have saved some chain (say from amining operations which often cause
broken diamond necklace) turn it into a charmenvironmental degradation and involve harmful
diamond bracelet.  Use a clasp you’velabor practices such as child labor and exploitation
salvaged and some of the dangles and beadsof impoverished communities. 80% of the metal
from pieces.  Attach them with jump rings.mined each year is used for jewelry, so it’s a
- Choose several diamond necklace motifs andfact that can’t be overlooked when
perhaps a few beads, wire wrap them onto plainconsidering the environmental friendliness of your
napkin rings to make a set that looks like youjewelry.