Royal Mint to sell bridal jewellery made from e-waste

Jewellery in the newly launched "teardrop collection" is priced from £595

The Royal Mint has launched its first engagement and bridal collection as part of its pioneering jewellery brand created from e-waste.

The 'pivotal' collection, featuring wedding rings, engagement rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces, is made from 18-carat gold sourced from end-of-life electronic waste, which is recovered onsite at the Royal Mint's facility in south Wales.

The Royal Mint's 886 brand was established in 2022, with a focus on "sustainable luxury" - as part of a push by the coin maker to break into new markets.

Precious metals can be recovered from circuit boards in discarded electronics, such as mobile phones and laptops, transforming e-waste into jewellery.

Anne Jessopp, chief executive of The Royal Mint, said: "This collection marks a pivotal moment in The Royal Mint's transformation as we expand beyond our traditional boundaries into new luxury markets.

"By combining our 1,100-year heritage of precious metal expertise with cutting-edge technology, we're demonstrating how historic institutions can lead the way in sustainable innovation."

The collection's engagement rings feature both lab-grown and natural diamonds

Dominic Jones, 886 creative director and designer of the collection, said: "The Royal Mint has a remarkable heritage, yet continues to evolve in ways that feel truly relevant today."

The bridal collection will be available from Monday at The Mint's flasgship shop in London's Burlington Arcade, and online. It includes engagement rings with lab-grown diamonds priced from £2,895, while rings featuring natural diamonds are priced from £10,995.