Aluminium as a sustainable material for jewellery

Why?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website aluminium ornaments.

The process of anodization is a delicate one, impurities in the metal will effective conductivity often causing the process to fail.  Obviously, when you&#;re picking up cans from the street, there are loads of impurities like dirt and the dyes and paints used to decorate the cans as well as the different aluminium alloys used by different manufacturers.  Given that the majority of aluminium ever mined is still in circulation, it&#;s definitely possible to refine the metal and create the alloys that are best suited to anodization for cosmetics purposes (in our case, jewellery) but that takes significant expertise and facilities. 

In the end, I came to the conclusion that it was best to use aluminium sheet that was already available from suppliers.  Seeing that aluminium is already widely recycled, I wouldn&#;t actually be making any kind of positive impact by spending my time and resources creating my own version of a process that is widely used. 

So what&#;s the alternative, is there such a thing as traceable, ethical aluminium?

At present no and there is unlikely to ever be.  Unlike gold, there is no such thing as small scale aluminium mining.  The low price of the metal means that it's only viable if you mine and refine it in gigantic quantities.

This means that there will always be a large physical and carbon footprint from any bauxite mining operation and there is no room for small players in the industry.  The success that has come in gold mining has all come in the ASM sector which cannot be replicated with aluminium.

Demand for aluminium from the jewellery industry is so minuscule compared to the other industries in which it is used that the industry will never have any leverage to instigate change.

Aluminium recycling process

It is true that aluminium is widely recycled. It only takes 5% of the energy to create aluminium from scrap than it does from bauxite, the ore that aluminium comes from, so a huge proportion of the aluminium we use today is recycled, it is estimated that over 80% of the aluminium ever mined is still in circulation.

Whether this by itself makes it an ethical or sustainable material is debatable.  The issue is around the extraction of aluminium and whether this will decrease if we recycle more aluminium is still unclear.  

The process of refining bauxite to make aluminium is incredibly labour intensive.  Every year 10% of Australia&#;s electricity goes to making aluminium.

Which countries does aluminium come from?

As well as Australia and China, Guinea and India are major producers of aluminium.

Australia and Guinea, in West Africa, have the worlds largest proven bauxite reserves and across the world it is estimated that there are 40 to 75 billion tons of bauxite, enough to last for centuries.

As a well regulated, governed and developed country Australia represents the best options for aluminium, though as mentioned, the colossal amounts of energy needed to refine bauxite make this a best of a bad bunch type of scenario.  As of just under 80% of Australia's energy comes from fossil fuels meaning the process has a significant carbon footprint.  This will decrease if Australia transitions to a larger proportion of renewable energy.

Aluminium Jewellery

Aluminium is used relatively infrequently in jewellery, especially fine jewellery.  As it is light and inexpensive, it doesn't have the luxurious feel that people expect when buying jewellery.  Add to that, that it is hard to work with and you go a long way to an explanation for the lack of aluminium jewellery.

In the mid 20 century, aluminium did become more common especially in costume jewellery as other metals were in short supply after the two world wars.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of aluminium gates. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Anodized aluminium Jewellery

To add coloured dyes to aluminium, as we do in our jewellery, you first need to &#;anodize&#; the metal.  This is done by a process of electrolysis and creates a porous layer in which the dyes are absorbed.  Anodizing aluminium also makes the surface harder.

Aluminium fine jewellery

A select few designers have mastered the use of aluminium in fine jewellery, meaning they combine it with gemstones and precious metals to create pieces that are often large, colourful and stand out.

One particularly notable example of a jewellery designer who has used aluminium is Paris based designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal (JAR) who&#;s iconic pieces regularly fetch many times their estimates at auction.

Rosenthal has used the metal to create colourful organic pieces like these rose petal earrings that sold for more than $10,000 USD at Sotheby&#;s in April .

What Is Sterling Silver Jewellery?

Not sure whether sterling silver or aluminium jewellery is right for you? Unsure about the differences between the two? In this blog, we compare sterling silver vs aluminium jewellery. We go over the pros, cons and differences between the two. At the end of the post, we&#;ll also offer suggestions on which is best for you.

Sterling silver jewellery consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Other metals in sterling silver include copper and nickel. Silver is often alloyed to form sterling silver, increasing its durability.

• Easy to repair - silver is a soft and malleable metal. Jewellery made out of silver is easy to repair and just requires basic soldering to fix.
• Resistance to tarnishing and fading - compared to non-precious metals, sterling silver is very resistant to tarnishing and fading. This is because it contains minimal amounts of copper and nickel.
• Hypoallergenic - because sterling silver only contains small amounts of copper and nickel, it is less likely to cause skin allergies.
• Appearance - sterling silver is known for its bright white lustre. This gives jewellery made out of silver a luxurious look.
• Value - silver is considered a precious metal and tends to retain its value. This makes sterling silver jewellery more valuable than jewellery made of other materials.

• Expensive - sterling silver jewellery can be quite expensive. This is because silver is a precious metal.
• Heavier - compared to other silver metals, sterling silver can be quite heavy. For some, this weight may be uncomfortable for wearing jewellery daily.
• Durability - silver is a softer metal. Because of this, jewellery made using silver is more susceptible to scratches and dents.
• Maintenance requirements - sterling silver jewellery must be wiped and cleaned often to prevent its lustre from fading.

What Is Aluminium Jewellery?

Jewellery that is made of aluminium consists of bauxite. Bauxite is made up of mainly aluminium oxide and other metals. The quality of aluminium jewellery can vary based on the amount of aluminium oxide in the bauxite. Bauxite with more than 50% aluminium oxide is considered better quality.

• Hypoallergenic - unlike other metals like brass or nickel, aluminium doesn&#;t cause skin allergies. This is because the metal has very low nickel and copper content.
• Resistant to tarnishing and fading - aluminium jewellery is resistant to losing its colour because of the natural aluminium oxide layer. This prevents the metal underneath from coming into contact with air and oxygen.
• Lightweight - jewellery made of aluminium tends to be very light. Aluminium jewellery makes for great everyday pieces.
• Easy to clean - it is fairly easy to clean aluminium jewellery. To remove oils and dirt, just wash in warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth.
• Versatile - aluminium jewellery can come in a variety of colours when anodised. This natural oxide layer increases resistance to corrosion and wear but also allows for the absorption of dyes.
• Affordable - aluminium jewellery tends to be more affordable than other silver metals like white gold, rhodium and stainless steel. This is because of lower energy requirements for production. At the same time, aluminium is a non-precious metal.
• Recyclable - aluminium is more recyclable than precious metals like gold and silver. Aluminium as a material can be recycled an infinite amount of times and at low energy costs.

• Harder to repair - aluminium is less malleable than other silver metals. This can make it difficult for jewellers to solder.
• No value - aluminium jewellery has little to no value when compared to other silver metals like platinum, rhodium or sterling silver. This is because it is not a precious metal.
• Appearance - in comparison to other silver metals aluminium looks less shiny and more grey. This often means that aluminium jewellery lacks a luxurious appearance.
• Durability - aluminium is a much softer metal in comparison to other non-precious metals like stainless steel or brass. Jewellery made from aluminium is more prone to denting, scratches and warping due to high temperatures.

Differences Between Sterling Silver And Aluminium Jewellery

• Repairability - jewellery made of sterling silver is much easier to repair than aluminium jewellery. This is because silver is a more malleable metal than aluminium, allowing for easy soldering.
• Appearance - Sterling silver jewellery tends to be brighter and have a whiter appearance, whilst aluminium jewellery has a greyer and less shiny look.
• Value - sterling silver jewellery is more valuable than aluminium jewellery. This is because sterling silver is a precious metal.
• Price - jewellery made from sterling silver is more expensive than aluminium. This is because sterling silver is a precious metal.
• Weight - sterling silver jewellery tends to be much heavier than aluminium jewellery. This is because silver is a denser material than aluminium jewellery.

Sterling Silver vs Aluminium Jewellery: Which Is Better?

Whether sterling silver or aluminium jewellery is better for you will depend on your own preferences, budgets and styling needs.

Sterling silver is a great option for those who want a luxurious-looking jewellery piece that is easy to repair and retains its value. Aluminium jewellery is a better option for those who are looking for a more lightweight and affordable option.

Conclusion

After comparing sterling silver vs aluminium jewellery, you should have a better understanding of the pros and cons of each. The choice between these two types of silver jewellery depends on your preference, budget and styling needs.

Sterling silver has an iconic bright white appearance, a heavier feel and is easy to repair. Whilst aluminium jewellery has a greyer appearance and is much more affordable and lightweight.

Remember that when choosing between these two types of silver jewellery, you should choose whichever one compliments your style and how it makes you feel when you wear it.

The company is the world’s best cusom cast iron fireplace supplier supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.