Lapponia makes the switch to recycled gold
New business model transforms the industry and its transparency
The largest jewelry manufacturers in the Nordic countries, Kalevala Jewelry (Lapponia Jewelry's parent company), has switched over to using only recycled gold as a raw material. Kalevala Jewelry set up a two-year project to study the alternatives to source gold ethically and, as a result, concluded that recycled gold was the most ethical and sustainable option. Kalevala Jewelry’s raw material supplier is now able to verify that all the raw material gold it supplies to Kalevala Jewelry is 100 per cent recycled gold.
Transparency goes hand in hand with the company’s ethical objectives
Eco-friendliness and ethical working principles are at the heart of Kalevala Jewelry’s basic values. When enhancing the ethics in sourcing, the company created a new business model for its key raw material suppliers in the industry. These suppliers are committed in writing to this business model, which not only regenerates practices in the industry, but also improves the transparency of the supply chain. The model takes into account legislation, national and international regulations and agreements, human rights and the basic rights of working life, as well as material safety and a high standard of business ethics.
Through the years, Kalevala Jewelry’s own shops also have accepted old gold jewelry for payment. Gold can be used as a means of payment when buying a piece of gold jewelry. Kalevala Jewelry assesses gold articles with Finnish hallmarks according to carats and weight and then credits them in conjunction with payment for a new piece of jewelry. Recycling gold is a wonderful way to give a sustainable material new form and content.
Gold has always interested people
Gold is one of the few metals to occur naturally also in completely pure form. Hundreds of times more natural resources are consumed when making a piece of gold jewelry from raw material than when using recycled gold.
Kalevala Jewelry crafts all its own jewelry at its own production facility next to rapids in the Helsinki districtof Pitäjänmäki in Finland. The company is committed to environmental awareness at all times in making jewelry. This commitment is not only seen by conserving and recycling raw material, but also by keeping emissions to a minimum. Kalevala Jewelry has invested in the latest technology and product development, such as nanotechnology, in the sector. The company favors Finnish raw materials wherever possible. Kalevala Jewelry employs around 160 top professionals such as smiths, casters, pressers, waxmakers, stone setters and jewelry finishers.