What can be re-used in my Legacy Jewellery Design?

One of the many benefits of repurposing inherited jewellery is the ability to reuse as many elements as possible to create a new piece that is truly meaningful and sentimental. This often includes precious metals and gemstones that hold emotional value and sentimental importance.

However, it's important to note that not all precious metals are suitable for melting down and repurposing. There are important considerations to take into account when reusing existing gold and precious metals. Factors such as the quality of the metal, the type of alloys used, and the condition of the metal can all impact its ability to be melted down and reworked into a new piece.

Platinum

Platinum is a unique precious metal. It is considered the premium silver coloured metal to make jewellery out of. It has certain properties that make it almost impossible to melt down an existing piece and create a new item from. Platinum requires being reprocessed before being suitable to make new jewellery. This is a costly and specialised service that prohibits the use of existing platinum jewellery.

In short, the cost and quality problems associated with the use of existing platinum jewellery make it unsuitable for use in Legacy jewellery. Platinum does have a ‘scrap’ value and we would suggest using your spare platinum jewellery as a payment option toward your Legacy piece.

Collection of Platinum rings

Gold

For centuries, gold has been melted down and reworked to create stunning pieces of jewellery, and this practice continues today. Gold is a unique metal that lends itself well to handmade jewellery, but creating a high-quality piece requires refining and processing the metal, which can prove more time-consuming and costly than using new gold. Any ‘new gold’ that we use in the design is recycled gold and has already been melted down and refined ready for casting, reducing the impact on the environment.

At Legacy Jewellery, we use the latest manufacturing and casting techniques to create our designs, ensuring that each piece is of the highest quality. We understand that sentimental value can be attached to inherited gold and precious metals, but if we believe that the metal is not suitable or may result in a piece of jewellery that doesn't meet our high standards, we will advise against using it.

Collection of Gold and Platinum Jewellery

Diamonds and other Gemstones

Repurposing diamonds and gemstones are a great way to create a new piece of jewellery that not only holds sentimental value but also showcases the beauty and brilliance of these precious stones.

Whether you want to incorporate existing stones from inherited jewellery or introduce new stones, we can create a custom piece that reflects your personal style and preferences. From resetting stones into a new ring or pendant to creating a completely new design, the possibilities are endless.

When diamonds or gemstones are unset from existing jewellery, it's possible that they may be scratched, chipped or damaged in some way, which can make them unsuitable for repurposing. In some cases, the damage may not be visible to the naked eye, but it can still impact the stone's overall value and durability.

At Legacy Jewellery, we carefully evaluate all diamonds and gemstones to determine whether they are suitable for repurposing. If we find that a stone is too damaged or compromised in some way, we will advise against using it in the new piece. Our goal is to create a high-quality piece that not only looks beautiful but is also durable and long-lasting.

What happens if you can’t use my precious metal in my new design?

If we determine that the precious metal from your inherited jewellery is not suitable for use in your new design, there are still options available.

Use new precious metal: We would suggest using new precious metal, such as platinum or gold along with your existing diamonds and gemstones.

Offset the Value: If your precious metal, such as platinum is unsuitable for melting down and repurposing we would look to offset the value of the metal against your new piece.

Keep the metal: You may decide to use new precious metals to create your new piece but keep the old metal as a memento to your history and reminder of your inherited jewellery.