LIGAS SUSTENTÁVEIS NA JOALHERIA CONTEMPORÂNEA - UM ESTUDO SOBRE A COMPOSIÇÃO NAS LIGAS DE PRATA-COBRE

The integration of recycled metals into jewelry production presents both technical and environmental challenges. So on, sustainability in contemporary jewelry requires new approaches to material selection and processing. This study examines silver-copper alloys formulated with copper recovered from discarded electronics. The aim was to assess whether adjustments in copper content could provide technically consistent and aesthetically acceptable results while reducing dependence on newly mined silver. The investigation followed two complementary stages: literature research to consolidate theoretical foundations and laboratory experimentation to test six different alloys. Samples were analyzed during casting and rolling, and their aesthetic qualities were assessed through sanding and polishing. Mechanical behavior was further evaluated using Vickers hardness tests. The analysis revealed that alloys with 85% silver (Ag850) containing 15% recycled copper maintain satisfactory levels of strength, malleability, and visual quality. It has minimal differences compared to conventional alloys, preserving essential characteristics for jewelry use. These results suggest that resource-efficient strategies can expand sustainable practices in the jewelry sector, lowering environmental costs linked to mineral extraction.