Responsibility for people, the environment, and resources is a core part of how we operate. But how large is the CO₂e footprint of a piece of jewelry from Maren Jewellery, really? We did the math—and compared. The result: On average, our jewelry pieces generate only 0,4 kg CO₂e in production. This figure refers exclusively to the production of the jewelry piece. The total average CO₂e footprint, including business activities, is explained further below. Studies show that conventional jewelry causes an average of 29,27 kg CO₂e per piece(1), depending on the method used. For this comparison, the lower value from the literature was used.
life cycle assessment of our jewelry pieces
Sustainability
Why our CO₂e footprint is comparatively low
Our comparatively low CO₂e footprint results from our choice of materials, short delivery routes, and collaboration with selected partner companies.
Eco Diamonds: Our synthetically produced diamonds generate an average of 11.8 kg CO₂e per carat (4) – whereas conventionally mined diamonds cause at least 56 kg CO₂e per carat (4)(8)(9).
Recycled gold from C.Hafner: Per kg of gold, recycled gold generates only 29kg CO2e. The emissions produced during gold processing are first reduced to a minimum; the remaining CO₂ emissions are offset through certified climate protection projects.(2)(5) – compared to conventional gold, which is associated with up to 16,000 kg CO₂e per kg (5)(6).
All these factors add up: Taking into account all office work in the companies we work with, as well as the work of our freelancers, the total average CO2e footprint per piece of jewellery amounts to 31.5 kg.(10) However, the production of a piece of jewellery itself accounts for an average of only 0.4 kg CO2e.
As a reminder, the production alone of a standard piece of jewellery amounts to an average of 29.27 kg CO2e. Here we see great potential for reducing emissions and would like to inspire other companies and our customers with our approach.
But we go even further:
We also support certified climate protection projects
For every piece of jewelry sold, we support certified climate protection projects amounting to 100 kg CO₂e.
Transparency is a given for us
In our Sustainability Report, we openly show the CO₂e consumption of various pieces of jewelry—with direct comparison values to the conventional jewelry industry. Anyone who wants the full details will find all the figures, calculations, and sources there.
Our goal: jewelry that is not only beautiful, but also responsibly made—for you and our planet.
Sources:
(1) For the calculation of the CO2 values of Maren Jewellery pieces, we have used the following parameters from studies: On average, 11.8kg CO2e (4) are emitted per carat of our synthetic Eco diamonds. Our recycled gold from C.Hafner is CO2e neutral, so 0kg CO2e are emitted per kg here (2)(5). For our recycled silver, we use 14.5kg CO2e per kg of silver. (3) For conventionally produced jewelry, we have used the lowest CO2e values found in studies: 56kg CO2e per carat of diamond (4)(8)(9), 16,000kg CO2e per kg of gold (5)(6), and 100kg CO2e per kg of silver (3)(7). More details can be found in the Material chapter. The production costs were calculated based on the following study: (3)
(2) Fritz, B.; Aichele, C.; Schmidt, M., "Environmental impact of high-value gold scrap recycling" The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2020 / This study was conducted based on data from various German refineries – including our own refinery. Our refinery, C.Hafner from Pforzheim, is even more efficient than others: per kg of gold, it produces only 29kg CO2e. And that's not all: the CO2 is offset, making the gold CO2e neutral.
(3) Parnuwat Usapein, Chantra Tongcumpou, "Greenhouse Gas Emission in Jewelry Industry: A Case Study of Silver Flat Ring" 2016
(4) Standford Magazine, Andy Martin, "A Man-Made Diamond Is Forever, Too: Nitty-gritty" Online] Available:https://stanfordmag.org/contents/a-man-made-diamond-is-forever-too-nitty-gritty. Accessed on 2025.05.03
(5) Dr. Philipp Reisert, "What is more sustainable: gold mining or gold recycling" [Online] Available:https://blog.c-hafner.de/oekologischer-fussabdruck-was-ist-nachhaltiger-goldgewinnung-oder-goldrecycling/. Accessed on 2025.05.03
(6) World Gold Council, "Gold and climate change – Current and future impacts" [Online] Available:https://issuu.com/christinadianparmionova/docs/gold_and_climate_change-current_and_future_impacts.Accessed on 2025.05.03
(7) Philip Nuss1, Matthew J. Eckelman, "Life Cycle Assessment of Metals: A Scientific Synthesis" 2014
(8) Dr Gbemi Oluleye – Research Fellow Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, "Environmental Impacts of Mined Diamonds" 2019
(9) Better Diamond Initiative, "Environmental cost of Mined Diamonds is alarming" [Online] Available:https://de.slideshare.net/slideshow/environmental-cost-of-mined-diamonds-is-alarming/42419020/. Accessed on 2025.05.03
(10) Maren Jewellery, "Sustainability Report" [Online] Available:https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0405/0268/9954/files/Nachhaltigkeitsreport_Maren_Jewellery_2024_full.pdf?v=1717496952Accessed on 2025.05.02 Page 11 -15
Written By Helge Maren
Helge Maren, the designer behind Maren Jewellery, combines her deep passion for jewelry with impressive expertise. Her writing reflects her dedication to timeless, luxurious jewelry aesthetics and a responsible lifestyle, which distinguish Maren Jewellery.
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