Market
Recycled metal pairing is now a default ask alongside stone choice
Buyers choosing between natural and lab-grown stones are now routinely asking whether the setting metal is recycled too, treating it as part of the same decision.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
Buyers weighing natural against lab-grown stones are now routinely asking whether the setting metal is recycled too, treating it as part of the same overall decision.
- Recycled gold and platinum, refined from existing jewellery and industrial scrap rather than newly mined ore, is now widely available at little to no cost premium.
- The question has shifted from whether recycled metal is available to whether a specific supplier defaults to it or charges extra for it.
- This mirrors the broader pattern of buyers wanting full sourcing information across the whole piece, not just the centre stone.
We use recycled metal as standard across our settings at no extra cost — build a ring to see it specified alongside your stone choice.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.