When most people see a beautiful, sparkly ring or necklace, all they think about is what it symbolizes; which may be love, commitment, or just a flair for fashion, but what they may not be aware of is the significant harm that the mining and extraction of these jewels can cause to the earth. By choosing to purchase only sustainable jewelry NYC consumers will be doing their part to not compromise the environment just for the sake of owning some fancy baubles.
The most common metals used to craft jewelry are silver, platinum, and gold. They are naturally found in very small quantities within ore and rocks, which are only accessible by way of very destructive mining processes which rip apart the earth and involve the use of hazardous elements such as mercury and cyanide that can leave behind considerable contaminating waste products.
Purchasing previously owned jewelry or melting down older pieces and having them re-crafted into new designs by a jeweler is the best way to reduce the need for mining more metals. Platinum is a bit different however, and will require the expertise of someone who specializes in refining it. Some jewelers also insist on only selling environmentally-conscious precious metals.
When diamonds are mined, there is no use of toxic elements, however the landscape is still left in a state of devastation. Not all diamonds require as much harm to be done to the environment though, such as those which are found in Canada and can be mined from lake-beds after they are drained and excavated. There are some nations which use this valuable resource as means to fund wars and violence, but recently there have been treaties made to change this problem.
Australian and Canadian diamonds are not at the center of any conflict, making them a better choice than those mined in some other nations. Some mining companies have also started restoring the land when excavation is finished. Purchasing man-made diamonds is another alternative that still looks good and causes no environmental damage.
Gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, are mined in a similar manner which is destructive to the earth, and some of them are also associated with political conflict. These colored stones are also normally treated using heat, radiation, or resin fillers to improve their appearance, all of which can pose a potential risk to those working in the plants where they are processed.
The amount of ecological damage necessary to extract colored gems is comparably less than diamond mining because they are typically found closer to the surface of the rock they are contained within. Some mining companies have also conducted research into how to reduce pollution related to their extraction which they have put into practice. As with other types of jewelry, these stones can also be reset into new pieces.
Buyers can do their part to promote awareness of the importance of sustainable jewelry by always asking retailers about the origin of the metals and gems. They will provide this information if they realize that it matters to their customers, and they will in turn become more aware of it themselves in the process.
The most common metals used to craft jewelry are silver, platinum, and gold. They are naturally found in very small quantities within ore and rocks, which are only accessible by way of very destructive mining processes which rip apart the earth and involve the use of hazardous elements such as mercury and cyanide that can leave behind considerable contaminating waste products.
Purchasing previously owned jewelry or melting down older pieces and having them re-crafted into new designs by a jeweler is the best way to reduce the need for mining more metals. Platinum is a bit different however, and will require the expertise of someone who specializes in refining it. Some jewelers also insist on only selling environmentally-conscious precious metals.
When diamonds are mined, there is no use of toxic elements, however the landscape is still left in a state of devastation. Not all diamonds require as much harm to be done to the environment though, such as those which are found in Canada and can be mined from lake-beds after they are drained and excavated. There are some nations which use this valuable resource as means to fund wars and violence, but recently there have been treaties made to change this problem.
Australian and Canadian diamonds are not at the center of any conflict, making them a better choice than those mined in some other nations. Some mining companies have also started restoring the land when excavation is finished. Purchasing man-made diamonds is another alternative that still looks good and causes no environmental damage.
Gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, are mined in a similar manner which is destructive to the earth, and some of them are also associated with political conflict. These colored stones are also normally treated using heat, radiation, or resin fillers to improve their appearance, all of which can pose a potential risk to those working in the plants where they are processed.
The amount of ecological damage necessary to extract colored gems is comparably less than diamond mining because they are typically found closer to the surface of the rock they are contained within. Some mining companies have also conducted research into how to reduce pollution related to their extraction which they have put into practice. As with other types of jewelry, these stones can also be reset into new pieces.
Buyers can do their part to promote awareness of the importance of sustainable jewelry by always asking retailers about the origin of the metals and gems. They will provide this information if they realize that it matters to their customers, and they will in turn become more aware of it themselves in the process.
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Find a summary of the reasons why you should buy sustainable jewelry NYC stores sell and view our selection of rings at http://www.linhardtdesign.com right now.
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