What happens to all those tiny pieces of silver left behind when you're making jewellery?
In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller and Jewellers Academy tutor Mahroz Hekmati to talk about one of the most valuable workshop skills a jeweller can develop: learning to recycle silver scrap.
With rising metal prices and increasing awareness around sustainability, understanding how to reuse silver has never felt more relevant. Mahroz shares why she believes recycling is an important skill for jewellers at every stage, from beginners learning to make the most of their materials through to experienced makers creating commissions and remodelling heirloom jewellery.
Together, they discuss how to think differently about silver scrap, why separating your offcuts matters, what happens when silver is melted and reused, and how understanding these processes can help build confidence at the bench.
This isn't a step-by-step technical tutorial, but an introduction to the principles behind silver recycling and why it can become such a valuable part of your jewellery practice.
In this episode:
• Why every jeweller creates scrap and how to think about it differently
• Saving money and reducing waste in your workshop
• Why separating clean scrap, soldered pieces and cast material matters
• The basics of melting and reusing silver
• Sustainability and recycling in jewellery making
• Common considerations when working with recycled silver
• Building confidence and understanding your materials more deeply
• How these skills support commissions, remodelling and professional jewellery practice
Mahroz teaches silver recycling both in-person at Jewellers Academy Brighton and online as part of the Diploma in Silver Jewellery, where students can explore the process in more depth.
Whether you're curious about making your materials go further, interested in more sustainable jewellery-making practices or simply want to understand your metal better, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.
Find out more about Jewellers Academy courses and Diplomas.
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/
https://www.jewellersacademybrighton.com/