RECYCLED PRECIOUS METALS & STONES SOURCING

From the very first day, every step of the manufacturing process has been carefully considered to enhance our production methods and minimize our environmental impact. Where are we now?

Mermere creations are made with recycled precious metals

In order to provide its customers with the best possible experience, Noé has chosen to exclusively use recycled 925 silver, 18k gold, and vermeil. These are non-allergenic metals and bear state-protected designations, ensuring a guarantee of high quality. Recycled metals come from upcycled old jewelry.

18-carat gold used in jewelry is a blend of pure gold (24 carats) and other metals, such as silver and copper, which strengthen the alloy and give it various colors, including yellow, white, or rose. Gold is undoubtedly the alloy most traditionally associated with the world of jewelry, because of its many qualities. First of all, its hardness, makes it more suitable for stone settings, it is very solid and scratches very little.

Silver 925 has a minimum content of 92.5% pure silver, to which other metals, usually copper, are added. Without these other metals, silver in its pure form would, like white and yellow gold, be extremely soft and therefore almost impossible to work with. It is one of the most commonly used metals in jewelry. Firstly, because silver is by far the most accessible precious metal. It allows all budgets to buy quality jewelry. Secondly, silver is a metal with a neutral colour that enhances almost any gemstone.

Vermeil consists of recycled 925 silver coated with gold (18 carats) 5 microns thick. The vermeil is obtained by an electroplating process but it is not a simple alloy or gold-plated, Vermeil is considered a precious metal in its own right. To determine whether a piece of jewelry is made of Vermeil, three factors must be taken into account: the type of metal used for the base, the thickness of the gold, and the purity of the gold.

Vermeil is a wise choice for several reasons: first of all, it is a durable metal that offers excellent resistance to wear and tear over time, as well as to the possible shocks and scratches of everyday life. You can preserve its shine or prefer to let it tarnish slightly to make it look more vintage. Then, due to its appearance very close to gold, it is an excellent alternative in terms of price and quality. Finally, vermeil is ideal for people with allergic reactions to metals since it is composed of silver and gold and is therefore hypoallergenic.

—> For now our vermeil pieces are coated by a local provider who doesn’t use recycled gold for its plating bath. The chains we offer on the e-shop are not made from recycled 925 silver; however, a selection of upcycled chains is available at the store. Considering the small-scale production of the studio at its beginning, it was a deliberate choice made by Noé to offer vermeil and chains nonetheless. It is Noé’s ambition to improve the fabrication process regarding those points. We will keep you updated.

Precious stones come from second hand jewelry or from A certified member of the RJC

The RJC certification guarantees responsible practices in terms of environment, working conditions, safety, respect of regulations and human rights. To keep developing it’s activity towards the best practices, Mermere is happy to be working with a certified member of the Responsible Jewelry Council for the sourcing of stones.

For more information, please reach out to us via our contact form.