British Vogue - 04.2020

G

old, one of the most precious materials known to

man, has been recycled for centuries. People have

long turned to experts to redesign their family

heirlooms into something more befitting of the

age they live in. And now, more than ever, reimagining old

pieces is one of the most eco-conscious ways to wear jewellery.

Nevertheless, says London jewellery designer and ethical

advocate Sian Evans, vast quantities of precious stones and

metals are still mined around the world, and the environmental

impact is undeniable. “To mine one tonne of gold, you are

using 250 million litres of water, probably in places where

there isn’t much water to begin with.” Evans also speculates

that “62,689 tonnes of CO 2 are released into the atmosphere

because of all the energy used to get the gold out of the

ground and into the product”.

For her, enough is enough. Designing since 1986, she has

been implementing sustainable practices at her London studio

for many years, using antique diamonds and recycled metals

• including brightly coloured aluminium – in her award-

winning Botany collection. Now, the former senior lecturer

in jewellery design at Central Saint Martins is taking her

commitment one step further. Her latest collections – which

include elegant, miniature gold versions of the Botany earrings

• offer clients the opportunity to part-exchange broken or
  unwanted jewels to offset the cost of a new piece.
  The process prioritises craftsmanship while minimising waste
  and carbon footprint, since everything is processed and created
  in Evans’s workshop. “A closed-loop system like this is the most
  efficient way of creating products that are fully recycled and
  recyclable,” she says. “It’s the holy grail in sustainability.” What
  is more, the energy that goes into making these pieces is used
  up in her workshop through ancient goldsmithing techniques.
  “A lot of it comes from the fuel of my arm,” she laughs.
  While no sustainable practice is perfect, particularly when
  it comes to consuming luxury, Evans believes it is all about
  individuals being aware of the environmental impact of what
  we create and consume. Plus, what better way to give
  something you love a new life? n

Upcycled and upscale, sustainable jeweller

Sian Evans is restoring precious metals beyond

even their former glories, discovers Rachel

Garrahan. Photograph by Coppi Barbieri

DIGITAL ARTWORK: JAN CIHAK

JEWELLERY

OH, THIS

GOLD THING?

Recycled gold earrings,

from £850 a pair,

Sian Evans Jewellery

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