Creating New Jewelry from Old Jewelry
We all have old jewelry we’re attached to but never wear, but did you know that you can actually create new jewelry from old jewelry?
Whether it was a bad gift, inherited jewelry, or from a relationship that didn’t last, your jewelry should not go to waste. It’s possible to redesign jewelry into something that you feel great flaunting, and not hiding away in your jewelry box.
Ready to remodel your old jewelry? Book an appointment here.
There are countless reasons why someone may choose to create new jewelry from old jewelry, ranging from a simple aesthetic choice to very personal and sentimental reasons, but if you need some inspiration, we’ve rounded up the top reasons why our clients upgrade their old jewels.
Reasons to Redesign Your Jewelry
Updating the Style
Jewelry redesign before and after: The Kathleen Marquise Diamond engagement ring by Abby Sparks Jewelry.
When you’re lucky enough to receive jewelry passed down from a family member, it may feel easier to let it sit in the back of your jewelry box than to admit that it just isn’t your style. With jewelry redesigning, you have the ability to use the stones, preserving the person’s memory, but redesigning the piece into exactly what you want. You also have the ability to combine two or more pieces into one. If you have stones in two different rings that you think would look great together, it is completely possible to combine them into one new badass design.
Keep The Sentimental Value
The Patricia 7 Stone engagement ring was created using the client’s heirloom diamonds.
Making over jewelry from family members can be incredibly sentimental. Many clients come to us with stones from past family engagement rings, hoping to include them in their new ring. Using family jewelry is a way to keep your loved ones close to you, even after they may have passed on. Sometimes family members pass down heirloom engagement rings when you’re ready to propose. If you were given an heirloom ring from a family member that you don’t totally love, repurposing maintains the respect, sentimentality, and meaning of the gift while also adding your own unique story to the family tradition (just make sure you let them know first!).
A Bad Breakup
Stones removed from their original setting, to be repurposed in The 2 Carat Diamond Ombre Sapphire engagement ring.
What to do with an engagement ring if the wedding is called off? What about your wedding ring after a divorce? After a breakup, you may not know what to do with the wedding or engagement ring–you don’t want to wear it, but you don’t want to get rid of it either. The best way to move on is to reinvent your jewelry into something that celebrates your new life and signifies a new beginning. You can get rid of that bad juju by creating something beautiful and leave that old chapter of your life behind.
It’s Completely Custom
The Lauren Round Diamond Cluster engagement ring is a completely custom ring, made from client’s pre-existing diamonds.
When it comes to creating new jewelry from old jewelry, the possibilities are endless. Just because you have a ring now doesn’t mean it has to stay a ring, you can transform it into a powerful statement necklace. Those earrings that have just been sitting on the shelf collecting dust can be turned into a boss-bitch cocktail ring, and Grandma’s old necklace can easily transform into a pair of hand-crafted earrings. You get the idea. That’s why remodeling jewelry is a complete makeover. Picture your favorite home renovation show but with diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals. When the truck rolls away you will hardly believe the finished piece is the same jewelry you started with.
Repurposing is Sustainable
The Sheila Oval Halo engagement ring recycled the client’s diamonds to create a new ring that’s dainty and elegant ring.
Repurposing your old jewelry is environmentally responsible: you are effectively recycling materials. Conserve the earth’s resources by recycling unwanted jewelry into beautiful objects of value that you’ll actually wear, instead of buying something brand new. Using stones you already have is a practice in sustainability; it means one less stone mined from the earth. When we repurpose your jewelry, we keep sustainability in mind. Anything not put into your new jewelry, like your old metal setting for example, we recycle.
What Jewelry Can You Repurpose?
The Gina Emerald Cut Emerald engagement ring was repurposed with an heirloom emeralds and diamonds.
While virtually any style of jewelry has the ability of being repurposed (rings, necklaces, and earrings) it’s important to to take note of what stones are set in the jewelry piece that you are hoping to redesign. Different stones vary in hardness and durability. You can find out how hard your stone is by finding it on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which categorizes gems and minerals from very hard (diamond) to very soft (talc). Stones like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are very hard and durable, and more likely to be able to withstand the jewelry remodeling process without being damaged. Softer stones like turquoise and moonstone may not be the best stones to repurpose, because they have a much higher chance of being scratched or cracked when being transferred between settings.
What is The Process of Remodeling Jewelry Like?
The Kiva Emerald and Diamond Three Stone engagement ring during the repurposing process.
Before the redesign process, we inspect your heirloom to make sure that your jewelry can withstand being reset. Once we are sure that your stones are strong, we remove them from your old jewelry piece and being the custom process. We sketch unique designs to create the new jewelry of your dreams. Whether that be a necklace, ring, earrings, or all three. Once the design is perfect, we turn it into a 3D computer rendering, otherwise known as a computer aided design or CAD. This allows you to get a better idea of what your ring will truly look like beyond the sketch. We only move forward with production until everything is exactly as you want it. In production your stones are set in your new design with care and precision. When our jewelers have made it perfect, we deliver your brand new jewelry to you, completely transformed.
Many people don’t know that it’s possible to create new and modern jewelry out of dated styles, but with our jewelry repurposing it completely is. Whether you want to carry on the family legacy or simply switch up your style, the process is personal to you and the possibilities are endless. If you do have jewelry just sitting around the house not being worn, consider giving it new life. We would love to create the design those stones deserve. Jewelry financing available.
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