Our favorite metal is gold extracted from the Rhine, which is washed out of the river exclusively under mechanical processes between Karlsruhe and Rastatt. The flow of water washes the Rhine gold from the quartz veins of the Alps down to the Rhine plain. In the times of the Celts, they found whole gold nuggets on the banks of the Rhine. Today, they are wafer-thin gold flakes caught in the gravitational blankets during modern gold panning.

The river gold contains a minimal amount of accompanying metals and minerals. Analysis of the gold revealed an alloy of 94% fine gold. The remaining 6% is a conglomerate of mainly silver and many other materials such as copper, platinum and iron.

We use high quality gemstones. We choose them according to the following criteria: exceptional color, sustainable origin or artistic cut. We source conventional gemstones when their quality is irreplaceable.

We prefer gems from countries whose governments do not allow exploitation and child labor, but behave ethically and ecologically responsible. Among others, regional gemstones from the Alpine countries and other parts of Europe or diamonds and opals from Australia. In addition, we process gemstones from mines with Fairtrade certification, as well as recycled, recut gemstones.

Precious metals can also be purchased at Tamino+Pamina from refiners that are certified by the 'Responsible Jewellery Council', or RJC for short. Metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium must come from controlled conflict-free and responsible supply chains.