An amazing statistic -

A single new 1/3-oz, 18-karat gold ring creates about 20 tons of mine waste.

I read this in an article suggesting we recycle jewelry rather than buying new.  The statistic seems unfathomable, but even if it were one ton of mine waste, it would be a tremendous amount.  2000 pounds - 40000 pounds - and there is a human cost.   Amazing.

Now I know I need to see the movie Blood Diamond.