Policies & Issues

‘Salmon Gold’ Surfaces Again, This Time at Mejuri

Policies & IssuesAug 08, 2024

‘Salmon Gold’ Surfaces Again, This Time at Mejuri

The jewelry retailer has partnered with Resolve, an organization that combines re-mining with fish habitat restoration.

Mejuri salmon gold hoop earrings
A pair of 14-karat gold hoops by Mejuri, available in four sizes and crafted with “Salmon Gold.” The retailer is partnering with Resolve, an organization that supports biodiversity and habitat rehabilitation of sites where mining once took place.
New York—Mejuri has released a collection of hoop earrings crafted from “Salmon Gold,” a metal that derives its name not from its color but from the potential it has to positively impact fish and other wildlife.

The direct-to-consumer jewelry brand has an ongoing partnership with Resolve, a Washington, D.C.-based non-governmental organization (NGO).

Resolve’s “Regeneration” initiative works to mitigate the environmental damage caused by mining by supporting biodiversity and habitat rehabilitation of former mine sites.

It targets areas affected by tailings—residue from old placer gold mining sites—left in the streams or on the banks, which can prevent fish like salmon and grayling from migrating and spawning.

Salmon Gold is gold sourced from the mines associated with Regeneration, allowing each batch to be fully traceable from its origins.

The gold is extracted from the abandoned mine sites in North America and refined by Swiss company MKS PAMP, Mejuri said in its recent sustainability report.

MKS PAMP has a process that allows the gold to be individually batch refined to maintain traceability while ensuring its purity.

The gold is formed into small grains to prepare it for the casting process, said Mejuri, and the gold grain is then sent to its manufacturing partners in Thailand, where the jewelry is created.

“Salmon Gold was born from the idea that when a mine closes, it doesn’t have to be the end of the story,” Stephen D’Esposito, president and CEO at Regeneration and Resolve, said in a post on the company’s website.

“We shouldn’t let mine waste go to waste—we should treat it as an opportunity.”

During the gold rush of the late 1800s, the river valleys throughout Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory and British Columbia were filled with tens of thousands of prospectors, explained Regeneration.

They pumped soil from the creeks and riverbeds as they searched for gold, leaving rock and sediment waste, also known as tailings, in the stream beds and riverbanks, which disrupted the ecosystems as well as Indigenous ways of life.

The region is still home to gold mining operations, as well as salmon, grayling, and other fish that have had their migration patterns and spawning practices disturbed.

“I thought if you could get the gold out of the old piles of mining waste, you could use the money to restore the rivers, streams, and habitat, so that the salmon or grayling could swim up and spawn again,” said D’Esposito.

“It could be a win, win, win: Gold buyers could get more responsibly sourced gold; salmon habitat could be restored; and modern placer miners could feel better about their business.”

In addition to Mejuri, other well-known companies have signed onto Resolve’s Regeneration initiative.

In 2019, Tiffany & Co. added Salmon Gold into its larger supply of raw gold, though the company didn’t create a special collection or marketing campaign around its use.

Resolve, the NGO, works with the Tiffany & Co. Foundation on a restoration project in Sierra Leone.

Apple uses minerals from the Regeneration project to meet its sustainability goals, and Rio Tinto is a mining partner that provides access to sites, expertise, and other support.

Mejuri has invested $1.5 million in Regeneration. This funding has supported restoration and responsible mining projects at Uhler and Resurrection creeks in Alaska and Sulphur Creek in Yukon, Canada.

This resulted in 1,150 linear meters of stream restoration and enhancements and 20 acres of restored upland habitat.  At Resurrection Creek, the U.S. Forest Service restored 300 meters of stream, said Mejuri.

Multiple spawning fish species, including pink salmon, chinook, chum, and coho, made their way up these creeks where it was previously “very low quality” fish habitat. 


“I’ve worked on these Klondike creeks for 35 years digging for gold and it feels so good to be rebuilding them back to nature after so many years without proper habitat,” said Darwin Van Bibber, a heavy equipment operator and restoration specialist, quoted in Mejuri’s sustainability report.

“As a First Nation elder, I enjoy catching grayling and, one day, hunting moose along these newly restored habitats we are creating here.”

The Uhler, Resurrection and Sulphur creeks have additional restoration and rehabilitation planned for this year, said Mejuri, with additional legacy and abandoned mines joining as partners or coming online.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Mejuri said as the opportunity to use Salmon Gold increases, the proportion of recycled content in its jewelry may decrease over time

“Decreasing our use of recycled gold through the increase of Salmon Gold will enable us to achieve higher levels of traceability over time while also contributing to habitat restoration along the way, aiding in our 2030 traceability and climate-positive goals,” said Mejuri.

The company also noted that the term “recycled gold” currently lacks a clear definition and isn’t subject to the same due diligence by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as other materials.

“This ultimately slows down progress in achieving a better understanding of its composition, origins, and impact,” said Mejuri.

The Salmon Gold from Uhler Creek and Sulphur Creek is what Mejuri used to create the recent collection, announced in June.

The limited-edition collection features a textured, 14-karat yellow gold version of its “Bold” hoop, available in four sizes online and in its stores. The hoops range in price from $198 to $498.

The company said it’s the beginning of a series of annual capsule collections in 14-karat gold. 

“Mejuri is contributing to the development of initiatives that promote habitat restoration and have integrated gold extracted from the re-mining of mine tailings into our jewelry product bringing regeneration gold directly to our customers,” said the company.

“It’s more than just a material. It symbolizes how luxury and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.”

The Latest

Annie Doresca
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, President

Current Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.

QVC Group logo
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from Nasdaq

The company announced a reverse stock split and, as such, will no longer meet the stock exchange’s listing requirements.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through Change

Communicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Luis Morais Miami Beach Flagship Interior
IndependentsMay 20, 2025
Luis Morais Opens Flagship, Launches Collection Celebrating 25 Years

The “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.

Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Exterior of Tanishq Santa Clara Storefront
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. Store

Tanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.

New Cartier store at Los Angeles airport
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024

Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest Addition

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Instappraise and NAJA logos
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025

Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.

Day’s Jeweler’s Tuscan Village Location Painting
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth Location

The retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.

Gemfields emeralds, rubies, sapphires
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern World

Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”

Saks on Amazon flagship window
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online Storefront

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

Graphic for My Next Question webinar with guest Peter Smith
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not Dead

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

Tejen Candy Bowl Torque Necklace
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque Necklace

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

1 Camilla Dietz Bergeron.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

The Mediterranean Blue diamond
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’s

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

Jessica McCormack Fruit Salad Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for Summer

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Stock image of diamonds
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.

Sekou Andrews
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at Converge

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

1998 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516 Rolex
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s Sale

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

Jeweler Constance Polamalu at Bloomstone, a store that specializes in lab-grown diamonds
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

Surveillance footage Tiffany & Co. Seattle robbery
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

Jeff Corey, new chairperson of the board for the Jewelers Board of Trade
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

Foundrae Ingot Pendant
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical Metalsmiths

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Eiseman Jewels ribbon cutting ceremony
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and Better

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

Diamond Council of America
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course Updates

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

Malyia McNaughton and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education Fund

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy