Your Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Recycled Metal Jewelry

Choosing between solid white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or platinum is primarily a style preference. However, the setting choice contributes to the value and wearability, and should be a factor in the final selection of metal for yourself or your loved one. At MiaDonna every setting is created using only the finest eco-friendly recycled precious metals - solid gold or 950 pure platinum from refineries that represent our commitment to the earth. Eco-friendly recycled metals you’ll love for their beauty and be proud to wear for their minimal impact on the environment.

Eco-friendly recycled metals are gold or platinum that have been melted down to be reused. Unlike common scrap recycling, which can come from post-consumer products like technology, scrap waste metals and other sources, this kind of recycling is sourced specifically from metals that can be reused to make fine jewelry.

White gold is not white when mined from the earth. White gold is made up of gold that is mixed with other white metals - such as palladium, silver, zinc and nickel. Mixing gold with other metals is how its durability, strength and color are achieved.

Yellow gold is an alloy that is created by combining gold, copper and silver. Did you know? White and rose gold require other metals in order to achieve their distinct colors, whereas yellow gold is the only type of gold that can be 24 karats (100% pure gold).

Rose gold (not to be confused with red gold) has grown in popularity over the last few years. This pink-hued metal is comprised of traditional yellow gold and copper, which gives it, its beautiful color.

14K Gold contains a higher level of nickel alloy and is harder than 18K gold. Gold will wear over periods of time. White gold will yellow after a few years. 18K Gold contains a higher percentage of gold in its make up. It will wear a bit faster than 14K overtime. 18K white gold will also yellow after a few years. Gold is more likely to chip and in some cases can lose metal.

Gold will melt with minimal heat compared to palladium or platinum. All your gold jewelry can be re-polished and re-dipped in Rhodium to give it a new finish. Nearly any qualified jeweler can refinish an old ring created in gold.

14K is the least expensive metal offered. It’s also the most common among everyday consumers. 18K contains more gold than 14K and is typically priced a couple hundred dollars more for an average size setting.

Platinum is one of the strongest and most durable metals used in jewelry and does not have to be mixed with other alloys for strength, nor does it need to be plated with rhodium to give it, its bright shiny finish. Because of its purity, platinum is also hypoallergenic, so those with sensitivities to nickel do not have to worry about an allergic reaction when wearing platinum. Platinum is an excellent metal to use with very fine delicate settings that can benefit from its strength.

Platinum, when scratched or dented, will retain its metal unlike gold. Platinum will wear over time developing "Patina", which is considered by most to be a very desirable look. Patina is the sheen on the surface of the ring that is produced with time and age. While it is very similar to Palladium, Platinum is slightly easier to work with and can be repaired or re polished without any problems. Again many people opt to leave their platinum pieces in the original condition waiting for the ring to develop its natural patina. Platinum is the priciest of all the metals and can easily double the cost of any setting originally priced in 14K gold.

While palladium is being touted as the latest precious metal trend to hit the jewelry industry, MiaDonna has been at the forefront since day one, offering pure 950 palladium as an eco-friendly choice for all of your fine jewelry needs. Similar to platinum, palladium is an incredibly dense, strong and hypoallergenic precious metal, and does not need rhodium plating for its strength or color - making palladium the perfect option for people who love the look, feel and luxuriousness of platinum jewelry, but prefer the lower price point.

Palladium requires a specialized jeweler to refinish pieces. Palladium requires a considerable amount of heat and needs to be repaired carefully to ensure there will not be any future durability problems. Palladium requires a specialized jeweler to refinish pieces. This metal requires a considerable amount of heat and needs to be repaired carefully to ensure there will not be any future durability problems. Comparable in price to 18K gold, palladium is quite affordable for the strength it offers.

Gold mining is a dirty industry and is as unethical and outdated as mining for diamonds. Gold mining displaces communities, contaminates drinking water, hurts workers, generates a lot of waste, leaves a long-lasting scar on landscapes and communities, and contaminates ecosystems with toxic waste which results in widespread water pollution.

Thinking of getting yourself or another jewelry made with recycled metals? Browse recycled metal jewelry.