Handmade recycled silver & gold findings

𝐷 𝐼 𝑌⁣⁣⁣

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Since the conception of Ara, if I couldn’t source something I needed in recycled silver or gold, I either learnt to make it myself or simply didn’t use it⁣⁣.

This ensures Ara’s values are not compromised by offering something made from virgin metal for the sake of convenience.

Typically in the industry, ‘handmade’ silver and gold jewellery still uses findings (jump rings, earring posts, earring scrolls etc.) that are mass produced, usually using virgin metal, without any information concerning origin or ethical production practices. So often, even when jewellery is advertised as recycled silver, the main piece (eg a pendant or hoop) may have been made using recycled silver, but the accompanying findings will not have been. Often this use of virgin, untraceable metal is omitted from claims of a recycled product, which can make it hard for consumers to make truly informed purchasing decisions.

In my search to find recycled findings, although I was able to source recycled silver earring scrolls, I could not source recycled silver earring posts or jump rings, so I didn’t start offering earrings or pendants until I learnt to make these findings myself. Similarly, until I was able to source recycled silver/gold chain, I offered only rings. More recently, my supplier became unable to source the recycled earring scrolls, so I gave myself time to figure out how to make them myself.

⁣⁣⁣I still have a few pairs of the existing recycled silver scrolls but have begun making my own recycled silver scrolls (pictured) for the molten earrings. As my joints are hyper-mobile, more intricate work like this can be a little tricky for me. In the future I’m looking forward to exploring other ways of working but -for now- I’m over the moon to offer this adornment, made completely by my own hand, responsibly and with transparency.

𝑅 𝐸 𝑃 𝐴 𝐼 𝑅⁣

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I was recently approached by a lovely Ara customer to repair a weighty brass plated necklace with a snapped clasp⁣.⁣ Unable to source recycled brass wire, I made a replacement clasp from recycled solid gold, adding strength and longevity to the necklace. I really enjoyed making this and I’m pleased with how it came out - something quite simple but beautiful,

⁣When you purchase jewellery, solid precious metal is the circular choice. Not only will the adornment be stronger to stand the test of time, the solid gold or silver will not wear away to reveal another metal underneath. And, at the end of its journey with you, the adornment can be passed onto another or even melted down and turned into something new for its next chapter.

Lauren

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