To provide enhanced clarity and consistency for the jewellery industry and market, professional body for precious metals and jewellery World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) is advocating for a new definition for “recycled gold” to be used in the jewellery and watch sectors.

In a release published last month, the organisation stated that the new definition is designed to set “stricter” criteria for manufacturing processes and secondary and circular gold supplies, adding that the definition aims to improve the identification of inputs and outputs in the gold refining and fabrication processes, as well as promoting transparent and responsible sourcing.

Essentially, the definition covers recycled materials recovered during manufacturing and fabrication processes before being sold to consumers, and also gold recovered from materials after they have been sold to consumers. It was developed through extensive discussions among industry experts.

Pre- and Post-Recycled Gold

For fabricators, the new definition for recycled gold has three variations, namely pre-consumer recycled gold, post-consumer recycled gold and an amalgamation of both.

Pre-consumer recycled gold is the type that is obtained by refining materials generated during manufacturing and/or fabrication processes, including solutions and wastewater treatments, as well as from melted scraps, alloys, and manufactured materials, components and products that can no longer be used for their original purpose.

Post-consumer recycled gold, meanwhile, refers to gold obtained through refining generated products that are sourced from individuals, industrial facilities or organisations. Post-consumer recycled gold can be obtained from products such as collectable coins, dental scrap, electronic components and jewellery components.

The organisation stresses that recycled gold is made entirely from pre-consumer and/or post-consumer recycled gold. Consequently, gold investment products, such as bullion bars or investment coins, are not considered recycled gold – unless they are produced entirely from pre- or -post-recycled gold.

CIBJO acknowledges the contribution made by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in creating a draft of the definition, as part of a wider standard that the ISO was developing for responsibly sourced gold – a project in which CIBJO was an active participant.

“There has been growing confusion about the different names and labels for re-refined gold. The new definition provides a clear statement and set of criteria for recycled gold, which is more stringent than definitions for many other materials,” explained CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri.

The new definition has already been accepted as a substantial improvement by leading jewellery industry participants and associations. Further key industry bodies, such as the London Bullion Market Association and the World Gold Council, are considering how to incorporate the main elements of this definition into their guidance and responsible sourcing practices.

For its part, the Responsible Jewellery Council has already included a definition based on the same criteria in its updated Chain of Custody standard.