Close-up of warm gold texture

Ethical Gold in New Zealand — K3 Overview

How Dreamquester sources and uses certified recycled and responsibly mined gold for bespoke jewellery across Aotearoa.

Our commitment to sustainable gold

At Dreamquester we prioritise traceability, low-impact processing and the use of recycled materials where possible. K3 represents our public guidance on how we choose suppliers, verify claims and design with longevity in mind.

  • Prefer certified recycled gold (RG) and Fairmined/Fairtrade where available.
  • Full disclosure of karat, alloy composition and finishing for each bespoke piece.
  • Repair-first policy to extend the life of your jewellery.
Jeweller examining gold sample

Certifications & standards we work with

We align with international and local standards to ensure responsible practices.

Recycled Gold

Sourced from reclaimed jewellery and industrial scrap, refined by certified facilities to minimise new mining impact.

Fairmined / Fairtrade

Where available, we source Fairmined / Fairtrade gold to support responsible small-scale mining communities.

Chain of Custody

Documentation accompanies higher-value pieces; provenance statements provided upon request.

Sourcing process in NZ

  1. Supplier vetting — audit certificates and published policies.
  2. Material selection — recycled vs certified mined gold based on availability.
  3. Alloy and karat transparency explained before fabrication.

We maintain supplier lists and can show purchase or assay documents for high-value commissions.

Assay and hallmarking tools

From metal to heirloom — our studio process

Design

Collaborative sketches and 3D previews ensure material choices are finalised early.

Assay & hallmark

Pieces are hallmarked according to NZ practice; assay documentation is available upon request.

Finish & care

We apply low-impact finishing where possible and provide care instructions to prolong life.

Studio founder face photo

Meet Maya — lead designer & responsible sourcing advocate

Maya oversees material selection and supplier relations. She sources ethically and ensures each commission aligns with Dreamquester's sustainability principles.

Frequently asked questions

Recycled gold is reclaimed from old jewellery, electronics or industrial sources and re-refined to a purity suitable for reuse, reducing the need for new mining.

Yes — for qualifying pieces we can provide assay or provenance documentation and include hallmarking according to NZ practice.

Costs are comparable; recycled and certified gold may carry small premiums depending on supply and certification costs, but reflect lower environmental impact.