Repurposing Old Jewellery: How to Find the Right Jeweller for the Job
Repurposing your old or inherited jewellery can be a great way to create a new piece that you'll cherish for years to come. However, finding the right jeweller is crucial to ensure that the job is done correctly. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect jeweller for your needs.
Why Many High Street Jewellers Don't Repurpose Old Jewellery
Many high street jewellers don't offer a jewellery remodelling service because it is more time-consuming and difficult than selling ready-made jewellery. Even jewellers that offer a bespoke design service often provide a limited number of templates that are easy to replicate. Redesigning sentimental and unique pieces of jewellery requires a different set of skills and expertise.
Here’s what you need to consider…
Expertise and Experience
The first thing to consider when choosing a jeweller for your jewellery remodelling project is their expertise and experience. Remodelling existing pieces of jewellery requires a specialist skill set. Look for a jeweller who is experienced in jewellery transformation and understands the various gemstones and precious metals used in old jewellery. They should be able to work closely with you to ensure that the final piece matches your vision and expectations.
Collection including garnet, amethyst and diamonds
After - a beautiful balanced Legacy design
Damage and Restoration
Old jewellery may have worn out or damaged gemstones that need to be repaired or replaced. This can be a complicated process, and your jeweller needs to identify the type and quality of the gemstones and ensure that they match the original design, size, and cut of the other gemstones in the piece. In some cases, your jeweller may need to source a similar gemstone to match the rest of the piece, which can be time-consuming and add to the overall cost.
Before: scratched and worn tourmalines
After: Professionally repolished in a new Legacy pendant
Design Experience
Combining different sizes, shapes, and qualities of diamonds and gemstones into a beautiful and wearable design is a specialist skill that not many jewellers possess. It is tricky and time-consuming. Look for a jeweller who has experience in creating bespoke designs with old jewellery. A jeweller who has successfully created designs using a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and qualities of gemstones.They should have a deep understanding of the various gemstones and precious metals used in old jewellery and have the design flare to be able to visualise a beautiful, wearable new piece.
Before: when design has gone wrong!
After: balance and beauty restored
Quality of Finish
Each jewellery designer will have their own unique style. Some work with a pencil and paper, while others use the latest Computer Aided Technology (CAD) to create designs. Some will create you an artisan, hand-crafted piece, while others may produce a high-end, fine piece of jewellery. Make sure you understand what style you love and what your jeweller is able to create, based on their skill, expertise and experience.
Jewellery for Remodelling along with CAD images of new Designs
Warranties and Guarantees
Because your new piece of remodelled jewellery is going to be bespoke, it is important to understand what guarantees and warranties your jeweller is offering. A reputable jeweller should happily share their policies with you.
Here at Legacy, we offer a lifetime warranty against manufacturing faults, so confident are we in the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each and every one of our Legacy creations. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, which means that if you don’t love your Legacy jewellery, we will design it again for you for FREE.
In Summary
If you're considering repurposing your old or inherited jewellery, it's crucial to choose the right jeweller for the job. Look for a jeweller with expertise and experience in jewellery remodelling, who can work with you to create a beautiful and wearable design. Don't forget to ask for recommendations, read independent reviews and testimonials, and check the warranties and guarantees offered by the jeweller.
At Legacy, we specialise in creating bespoke pieces of jewellery that honour the past while representing the future. Our expert designers and craftsmen have the experience, skill, and talent required to create stunning, wearable pieces of jewellery that tell your unique story.
If you’re interested in finding out more, then get in touch. One of the team will be delighted to help.
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