Creative Links: Ethical Gold – Exploring Sourcing Options
- Date
- 13 Jul 2026 · 6:00PM - 7:30PM
- Price
- £15 (includes a glass of wine or soft drink)
- Venue
- The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London EC1M 5AD
- Programme type
- Talks
What do we mean when we describe a metal as recycled? Is it an ethical choice for jewellers? How does its environmental, social and economic impact compare to mined metals?
Join Brussels-based designer goldsmith, writer and ethical metal champion, Saskia Shutt, to explore the range of considerations facing makers as they choose metals for their business and clients. In her advocacy role, as a member of Fair Luxury and Ethical Metalsmiths, Saskia has given careful consideration to the complex decision-making process creatives face when buying gold and other metals. She encourages an awareness of what the term 'recycled' means and defines, and how it compares to the range of other options available in the marketplace. Drawing from a range of research sources, Saskia will ask - is recycled metal an ethical choice?
At the beginning of the event, there will be the opportunity to network and talk to peers, and after the talk there will be time to ask questions and join in the conversation.
FAQs:
The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s monthly Creative Links talks and networking events, designed for emerging makers and creative start-ups, provoke thoughts and questions which will enable you to reflect on where you are and how to get to where you want to be. Build your network, create links, learn to grow your business and become part of the community.
Details of our upcoming events and topics covered are listed in our What’s On. Every other month the event will be hosted online, should you not be able to attend an in-person event.
Our Creative Links series aims to link emerging makers with each other, whilst exploring key topics essential to nurturing business success. We run our events in person at the Goldsmiths’ Centre and across the UK with a range of partners, and every other month our events take place online, so that as many of our community as possible can exchange ideas, learn from industry experts, and form valuable connections.
We do not record or broadcast our events to encourage the open sharing of ideas and experiences. Popular topics will be repeated over time, so online and in-person participations can both engage in them.
We are committed to making our training programmes and events as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any access requirements, please inform us as early as possible and we will do our utmost to so we can make the reasonable adjustments. While we will do our best to accommodate your needs, advance notice is essential to ensure we can provide appropriate support.
To discuss your requirements when booking tickets for our Goldsmiths’ Centre training programmes, please contact us at boxoffice@goldsmiths-centre.org
Who is the speaker?
Saskia Shutt is a designer-goldsmith whose practice is rooted in craftsmanship, traceability, and responsible sourcing. Since founding her atelier in 1999, she has developed a distinctive body of work that combines refined aesthetics with a deep commitment to sustainability. A central aspect of her practice is remodelling - transforming existing jewellery into new, meaningful pieces. With over 25 years of experience in this field, Saskia approaches remodelling not simply as a technical process, but as a dialogue between past and present. Her work preserves the emotional and material value of inherited or unworn pieces, while reimagining them through a contemporary lens.
Recognised as a Certified Craftsperson by the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy in 2016, Saskia works exclusively with ethically sourced materials and has been Fairmined certified since 2018. She prioritises short supply chains and transparency, fostering a direct connection between the origin of her materials and the finished piece. Each creation reflects her dedication to precision, longevity, and meaningful design. Through her work, Saskia contributes to a more responsible and human-centred jewellery industry - one that supports mining communities, respects the environment, and honours the value of true craftsmanship.