Karen and Alice Chave’s brand Incador transforms electronic waste into ethical luxury pieces.
Two London-based sisters have struck gold – literally – after launching a jewellery brand that recycles precious metals from old iPhones and laptops.
Karen and Alice Chave, aged 24 and 26, were shocked to learn that just 22% of technology is recycled.
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Determined to tackle the issue, they invested £10,000 of their savings into a venture that extracts 24k gold from e-waste, working with engineers and small-scale miners to source ethical materials.
Their brand, Incador – translating to “civilisation of gold” – now sells striking sculptural pieces starting at £1,200. Since launching last summer, they’ve made £25,000 in sales.
“We wanted to create something special and sculptural, like an art piece,” said Karen.
“Building our business has brought us closer together. Alice has always been someone I can be open and honest with, and you need that in a business partner.”
The sisters combine gold recovered from electronic waste with artisanal small-scale mining (ASM), which they believe is less environmentally damaging than large-scale mining.
They partner with an ASM community in Peru that reinvests profits into local education, sanitation and healthcare.
Alice explained: “Many electronics have small amounts of gold and precious metals in them. With electronic waste on the rise, we saw this as an opportunity to be part of the solution.”
Born to Swiss and Vietnamese parents and raised mostly in Malaysia, the duo draw on their diverse heritage in their designs, which often echo their love of the outdoors.
Today, Incador offers around 20 pieces alongside bespoke commissions – all with a focus on sustainability and traceability.
What began as a bold idea at a kitchen table has grown into a business fusing luxury with responsibility, proving that jewellery can be both beautiful and ethical.
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