The global jewellery industry is increasingly focused on sustainability, and gold — with its energy-intensive mining process and associated social and environmental concerns — is at the centre of this conversation. In India, the Responsible Jewellery Council and leading brands are pushing the agenda of recycled gold adoption.
How Much Gold Is Recycled in India?
India is estimated to have approximately 25,000 tonnes of above-ground gold stock in the form of jewellery, coins, and bars held by households and temples. Each year, an estimated 100–120 tonnes of this gold is recycled — melted down and recast into new jewellery or investment products. This represents roughly 12–15% of annual domestic gold demand, a figure that could grow significantly if formal recycling channels were expanded.
What Leading Brands Are Doing
Tanishq announced a commitment to source 30% of its gold from recycled sources by 2027, while Malabar Gold has made similar pledges. International brands like Cartier and Tiffany have published recycled gold sourcing targets as part of their ESG reporting. The appeal for brands is both genuine sustainability commitment and the marketing differentiation that responsible sourcing provides to increasingly conscious consumers.
Does Recycled Gold Cost Less?
From a consumer's perspective, recycled gold is chemically identical to mined gold once refined to the same purity. It does not command a lower retail price — and in some premium international markets, recycled gold commands a slight premium as evidence of responsible sourcing. For Indian buyers, the price impact is essentially neutral, but the environmental case for buying from retailers with strong recycled gold programmes is clear.