The source of your sterling silver wire?

[Sushi]

Simple question - is your sterling silver wire reclaimed/recycled or is it mined?  Thank you for any help!

[Russ Nobbs]

Good question, particularly since a number of refiners and wire suppliers are touting their "greenness" by claiming that their metals are 100% reclaimed - no newly mined or smelted metal is used.

Without asking the suppliers, I'm going to guess that it is a mix or reclaimed metal (from scrap) and new metal (from mining.).

Nearly all precious metal manufacturers use metal refined from scrap at least as part of their raw material. But, without asking each of them I can't be sure. The new mill making Argentium (r) silver has a much fussier process to contend with than do the mills making regular sterling.

We will ask our suppliers and post back here.

I should point out that the refining process is not entirely as "green" as it might sound. The process requires a lot of heat, uses a variety of chemicals and produces waste and emissions - all in varying degrees depending on the methods used.

Thanks for raising the issue!

[Russ Nobbs]

Much to my surprise 2 of our silver wire and sheet suppliers use only refined/reclaimed metal that comes from recycling scrap precious metal.
We do not have an answer from our  3rd supplier who just recently got the contract to make Argentium sterling.

I knew that an awful lot of precious metal was re-refined from scrap but I was surprised to learn that so many suppliers are able to use only recycled silver. Some even have certification for this process.

I know that mining still goes on. I know how harmful to the environment that is since we leave close to Idaho's "Silver Valley."  The damage caused by 100 years of mining is obvious.
I wonder how newly mined silver enters the market?
What industries DO use newly mined silver?

[Sushi]

Wow - thanks for such a quick reply and follow-up!  That's very good information to know!  Once again, thank you!