Fine jewellery can be the most enduring of personal items made of metals and gems that are designed to last a lifetime, however even the most well-made piece can begin to show signs of wear over time.

Perhaps it is a piece that has been inherited from a loved one and has sentimental value but just doesn’t suit your personal style…

For these reasons, or for no other reason that a piece is not worn and loved as it once was, jewellery remodelling can be the answer to those pieces that lie unworn in the jewellery box 

Having a piece of jewellery redesigned and remodelled can be an exciting and creative process and can reimagine a dated or much worn piece into something that can be enjoyed now and an heirloom for the future.

So how do I start the process of have my piece remodelled?

Most jewellers are more than happy to meet with you at an initial appointment to discuss the design possibilities and cost of remaking an old piece without obligation – this can be a constructive process that can unlock the potential of a piece and establish a meeting of minds between jeweller and client. A follow up meeting to refine the design concept and to view additional gems may be required to crystalise the concept and finalise the quotation for the remodelling work.Your jeweller will also be able to appraise the stones, check for any damage and provide an estimate as to the value to allow you to determine if older pieces are worth remaking.

It is often possible also to retain some elements of an old design, either by incorporating part of the physical piece into the new setting or by recreating a motif or shape to reference the original design. This can be a wonderful way to maintain the sentimental value of an heirloom.

The redesign process may lead to a completely unexpected outcome with a design that incorporates your existing stones into a different type of piece, such as a ring into a pair of earrings, or by the addition of other gems to complement and enhance. The important consideration is to ensure that newly remade piece will be loved and worn!

Many jewellery purchasers assume that the metal in an old piece of jewellery is simply melted down and can be easily reused to make the new design. This can sometimes be done but is dependant on the amount of precious metal in the old setting. Old metals require refinement before using these to craft the new piece and as such the amount and quality of precious metal in the old setting may not be of sufficient value to make recycling worthwhile.

Once the new design for your piece is finalised, your stones or piece will be left in the safekeeping of the jewellery store to be incorporated into the newly crafted setting – this may take a number of weeks and will see the design come to life in precious metal and gemstones by a series of artisans including a manufacturing jeweller, diamond setter, polisher and finally, a jewellery valuer who will appraise your new piece for quality and value ready for its final presentation to the wearer.

Remodelling old or unworn jewellery can breathe new life into unloved or outdated pieces. The redesign process can be an exciting journey to create something beautiful and enduring that you can wear and enjoy for years to come or to ensure a sentimental heirloom has longevity.

So why not dig those pieces out from the bottom of the jewellery box and speak to your jeweller about some ideas for how these can be transformed into a treasured new design?