Affordable Luxury with Recycled Gold Jewelry from Linjer – Review *

AD | Jewelry trends come and go but classic designs that hold their value are staples I’m always happy to wear. Even better if they’re sustainable jewelry pieces as well. So, as a yellow gold fan, (that particular precious metal suits my skin tone better than silver) I was thrilled to choose some beautiful recycled gold jewelry from Linjer recently. I’ve always loved pearls, which my mother used to wear on special occasions, so my gold and pearl selections are also my little homage to her.

Is Linjer a Luxury Brand?

Co-founders, Jennifer Chong & Roman Khan, created Linjer back in 2014 as an alternative to fast fashion and luxury brands. Their ethos is crafting affordable items of the same quality as luxury brands but selling directly to customers online, typically for 50% less than all those designer products with logos.

Linjer aims for sustainable working practices too, including offsetting carbon emissions for every shipment dispatched to their customers. Their current range is made with the most eco-friendly and long-lasting materials available and includes:

• Jewelry made with 100% recycled sterling silver and gold metals, ethically sourced gemstones, and conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds.
• Watches made with un-scratchable sapphire glass and top-notch Swiss movements.
• Bags made with premium Italian leather that they hope you’ll want to pass on to the next generation.

Why are Linjer cheap?

Because they sell directly to you, cutting out the unnecessary costs and crazy markups that make typical fine jewelry extremely expensive.

What is Recycled Gold Jewelry?

The topic of recycled gold throws up a lot of questions – what is it, how is it better than regular gold, is it cheaper than mined gold, and more. Firstly, let’s clarify the term, ”recycled gold jewelry.” Simply put, this is when old jewelry has been melted down into liquid, refined, poured into a mould, and recast into something new.

Is Recycled Gold Real Gold?

Yes, it’s real gold, not fake or imitation, it’s exactly the same quality as that which comes from a traditional mine.

Is Linjer Nickel-Free?

Yes, all Linjer jewelry is nickel-free, including their recycled gold.

What Are The Benefits of Recycled Gold?

Recycled gold is seen as more ethical and sustainable than mined gold because it can be recycled many times without losing its quality. And this reduces the need for environmentally harmful mining and processing. Recycled gold currently represents 33% of the annual gold supply, according to the World Gold Council, and it’s also an attractive option as there’s very little price difference between recycled and conventional gold. Fair mined gold is another sustainable option, but this is more expensive than recycled gold.

Does Recycled Gold Tarnish?

Gold is a soft metal and can be damaged by chemicals, acids and other corrosive substances. This is true for all types of gold, including recycled gold, so you need to take proper care of your jewelry. It’s a matter of common sense really.

What Not To Do With Gold Jewelry

Here are some ways to protect your recycled gold jewelry from tarnishing:

• Don’t wear your pieces while swimming or showering – exposure to soaps, creams, salt water and chlorinated water will cause them to tarnish more quickly than usual.
• Avoid using harsh cleaners on your jewelry, a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap is best. Make sure you rinse them thoroughly and leave them to dry in their cases before wearing again.
• Keep your jewelry in their protective cases when not being worn, to prevent them from scratches etc.

Tip: don’t leave your jewelry out under direct sunlight as this can cause them to heat up rapidly, which could lead to discolouration as well as making them ouch-makingly painful to wear.

My Linjer Jewelry Picks

“The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens,” according to Grace Kelly, and I’m certainly not going to argue with a silver screen legend and real life queen. I was very kindly allowed to choose two items of Linjer jewelry and opted for some gorgeous recycled gold jewelry with pearls.

All the pieces are true gold vermeil, which has recycled 925 silver at its core and is plated in a thick layer of 14k gold that’s 5 times thicker and longer-lasting than regular “gold-plated” jewelry, and 100 times thicker than flash-plated jewelry. I have no concerns about the longevity and quality of my choices, but it’s reassuring to know they come with a 2 year warranty, just in case of any issue arising. And delivery was lightning fast – I ordered on Tuesday and they arrived on Thursday!

Hoop Earrings with Pearl – Rebecca

These gold hoop earrings have the most beautiful cultured freshwater pearl drops, which are also removable, so I can wear them as classic 30mm hoops too. And as we all know, hoops have the ability to give life to any outfit. Also available in silver, they’re celebrity favourites that have been seen on the likes of Brie Larson, Millie Bobby Brown, and Gigi Hadid.

I’ve not seen earrings with this multi-functional twist before but what a good idea, don’t you think? Although to be honest, I love the glowing white pearls so much I highly doubt I’ll ever be taking them off, especially as I’ve yet to find an outfit the pairing doesn’t enhance. The hoops themselves are ever so slightly fiddly to put on and fasten, but once you get the hang of it, you know they won’t be budging until you want to remove them.

Mother of Pearl Ring – Margit

Featuring a luminous mother of pearl stone (said to heighten inspiration and intuition) on a gold vermeil band, this is one of those rings that goes with everything, as well as perfectly partnering my Rebecca hoops. Simple, elegant, and fabulous quality, I think this ring is a truly affordable luxury staple accessory

Tip: wearing pearls and mother of pearl next to your skin is actually good for them. Your skin’s natural oils help keep the stone and nacre moisturised and the lustre glowing.

Not just earrings (hoops and huggies), Linjer also crafts other jewelry items too such as stacking rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, necklaces, bracelets, and jewelry sets. You can choose from gold vermeil, 14k solid gold, sterling silver, and from a range of diamonds and gemstones as well as pearls. Ethical, sustainable fine jewelry for everyone, and affordable too.

Is Recycled Gold Jewelry Worth It?

To be honest, I’d not heard of recycled gold jewelry before Linjer got in touch. But I’d have to say that yes, it’s absolutely worth it, at least where my new pieces are concerned. I’m a big fan of antique and vintage jewelry, I love knowing there’s a history behind every individual piece. And in many ways, I feel this is also true of recycled gold.

I’ve been so impressed with the quality and craftsmanship in my gold pearl hoops and mother of pearl ring that I’ve got my eye on Linjer’s range of pearl necklaces now as well. I love their ethos and sustainability ethic, they’re definitely a brand I feel comfortable recommending – and based on all the glowing reviews, their happy customers clearly feel the same way. So, with pearls set to be one of this year’s top jewelry trends, if you’re looking for ethical, sustainable, and stylish jewellery staples that don’t cost a fortune, you know where to go now, don’t you? 🙂

What’s your favourite metal colour to wear, gold or silver? Are you a fan of pearls or do you prefer diamonds? Who do you know that would love to receive some gorgeous ethical jewelry?

* This is a sponsored post with gifted items but all opinions are my own unless stated otherwise – please see my Disclaimer.