Upcycling, remodelling, recycling, reworking - whatever you call it, turning old jewellery into a modern masterpiece keeps the past alive in a beautiful way.
But there's a common misconception that it should be much cheaper than buying new.
And so, I decided to write a blog post to help you understand the true value - and cost - of remodelling existing jewellery into a new classic.
What does a jewellery remodelling service involve?
Remodelling is the intricate and specialist process of turning one or more pieces of jewellery into a new, bespoke piece.
Some remodelling work reuses all of the existing metal, but it's often necessary to add more gold, silver or platinum.
Similarly, original gemstones can be reset, but it may be essential for the look or quality for us to polish them to improve their appearance or to add new diamonds or other precious stones.
You can have rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and other types of jewellery remodelled. However, rings are the most common item I’m asked to remodel, like the one below...
Typically, my customers have an idea of what they'd like to create, and we'll work together closely to design the finished piece.
I actually invited you along with me in a previous blog as I remodelled old family rings into a contemporary wedding ring for one happy customer. So, if you’re curious about what remodelling entails, head over to that page for a whistlestop tour!
What's the true value of bespoke jewellery remodelling?
Let's consider for a moment the true value of transforming a mix of jewellery into a new design.
Imagine you have an old ring or two in your jewellery box (maybe you don’t need to imagine!).
They have tremendous sentimental value to you - perhaps it's your mum’s wedding band or your grandma’s beloved engagement ring.
But, as meaningful as they are, they never make it into your regular ring rotation because they simply aren't you.
However, the prospect of having them remodelled into something new isn't just a numbers game: there's so much more to it...
Trust issues
First of all, you want to find someone you can really trust to handle your inherited pieces with care and respect.
No matter what their monetary value is, they're priceless to you and your family. Even the thought of sending them off in the post is daunting (by the way - this is actually a very safe and secure process, so although I totally get it, we make sure it’s insured and tracked for your peace of mind).
If you’re going to go down this path, you want to connect with someone who gets exactly what your jewellery means to you and how you see them weaving their way into your future.
I take this responsibility so very seriously and treat them as I would my own, working with you in close collaboration to listen, share ideas and make sure you're completely overjoyed with your final design and stunning new piece. It’s truly an honour to play a small part in your story.
New classics
Now, let's think about how it will feel to have a go-to jewel that you can slip on daily for a confidence boost.
Not only does it go with everything and make you feel like a million dollars, but it holds real sentimentality. It honours the past in a way that fits perfectly into your present.
For some of my clients, jewels could be passed down through three generations but never really worn. Wouldn't those wonderful women who came before you just adore the idea of you breathing new life into their jewels and carrying a piece of them around with you everywhere you go?
Think of me as your partner in embedding memories into your personal story.
You're unique...
Did you ever think you'd be the proud owner of a completely unique, one-off piece of custom jewellery?
Many of my customers hadn’t considered commissioning bespoke jewellery until the idea of remodelling came up, but that’s exactly what you get - a personalised piece that's 100% you and 100% yours.
A piece as unique as you are, made up of everything that came before, with your own distinct blend of brilliance - this amounts to an incredibly special experience you'll love being a part of.
Is remodelled jewellery cheaper than buying from new?
'If all (or most) of the material is already there, isn't that the main cost sorted?'
The short answer? No.
Think of it like restoring a vintage car, if you will. It requires craftsmanship, skill, experience and attention to detail.
Yes, buying a new car might be more straightforward and even cheaper at times, but car restoration is a true passion project: for car lovers, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of having your very own classic car in full working order. It will turn heads, carry a rich history, and become a most valued possession.
Not to mention the fact that in a throwaway society, remodelling old items is a considerate and conscious choice to make.
Jewellery remodelling is extremely intricate and specialist work.
The process experienced jewellers like me use for the remodelling and refinement of the metal is very different to making a piece from scratch.
And while yes, some or all of the material is already there, it actually takes more time and stages to turn that into something new than it takes to make a ring from a fresh piece of metal.
Guide prices for remodelled rings
Every re-design is priced individually so if you're interested in the cost of remodelling, it's always best to speak to a professional jeweller for a tailored quote.
To help, I've included a few examples below of previous remodelling projects to give you an idea of the investment.
Ruby, sapphire & diamond patterned silver cluster ring
Judith wanted us to create a silver ring using gemstones from a collection of old gold rings. She chose to offset the value of her leftover gold against the full price of the newly created silver ring.
All of the gemstones you see in the new ruby, sapphire and diamond patterned silver cluster ring came from the original rings.
Investment: £1300 (minus the cost of the leftover gold)
Gold nibbled edge 9ct diamond ring with sapphires
Sadie wanted to use two of her late mother's rings to create one of our contemporary nibbled-edged gold rings. We used the existing diamonds and injected a little colour with the addition of blue and pink sapphires. In this instance, we didn't need to add any new gold.
Investment: £1250
Diamond and sapphire 18ct gold Dune ring
Our client asked us to produce an 18ct gold Dune ring using three rings inherited from her late mother-in-law.
We used the gold, blue sapphires, and diamonds, and needed to add an extra 50% of gold to achieve the weight required for her chosen design.
Investment: £2400.
What previous customers say about my remodelling service
You've heard a lot from me, so what do my customers say about how it feels to own a custom piece combining your personal history and individual style?
Selena and Shiquita
Sisters Selena and Shiquita had a diamond ring of their grandmother's and a mixture of other gold jewellery. Together, we designed matching rings they could rock every day, bond over and cherish for a lifetime.
Shiquita said: "Thank you very much again, it's so lovely to have something so beautiful to signify our shared memories of our babcia (grandmother)."
Dawn
Dawn's dear friend had recently passed away when she came to me. We created a contemporary ring using diamond and emerald rings she'd inherited.
Dawn said:
"My lovely friend passed away in January this year, she left me 3 rings, I spoke to Kate about repurposing them to make one ring. I’d admired Kate’s style of jewellery for a long time. She took one look at the rings and knew exactly what we could do with them! She sent me a picture of what it could look like - it was perfect and I loved it immediately!
"Jump forward 6 weeks and the ring was ready ….. my ring is absolutely perfect and I love it, it’s such a lovely way to honour a very special lady. Kate told me that usually she has to add some gold when repurposing or there may be a little left over, with my ring there was exactly the right amount!!!! Definitely a sign it was meant to be."
Carol
Taking the gemstones from earrings inherited from Carol's late mother, we melted down the gold and re-formed it into a contemporary ring.
Carol said: "The whole process was brilliant and very well considered. Kate's expertise in advising what could/wouldn't work was invaluable and the outcome stunning."
Jackie
Very sadly, Jackie lost her husband in 2020 and was left with both of their wedding rings and engagement ring. She wanted to create something new and original to keep memories of her husband close by without it being an obvious sign of widowhood. "The ring is amazing and attracts so much attention - but it's always up to me if I tell its full story. I will always have a part of my husband with me every day now."
Something old, something new: transform heirloom jewellery into your modern classic
Now you have a deeper understanding of what a premium service jewellery remodelling is, hopefully you can see how the cost is just one aspect of its value.
I’d love to know: do you have sentimental jewellery that rarely sees the light of day or old rings you no longer wear because they're not your style?
Honour the past your way by turning old jewellery into something special you're excited to slip on every single day.
Contact us to book a consultation - let's have a no-obligation chat to explore your options.
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