Repurposing Your Old Jewelry Into New

When it comes to inherited jewelry, it's not uncommon to feel torn between sentimentality and style. But what if we told you that you don't have to choose between the two? With a bit of imagination and a dash of creativity, you can repurpose your inherited jewelry and make it a treasure to cherish. Whether it's a piece of jewelry passed down from your grandmother or a pair of earrings you found in your mom's jewelry box, repurposing inherited jewelry is a beautiful way to honour the memory of your loved ones and create a piece that reflects your style. So, let's get ready to dust off that old jewellery, wedding band or engagement ring and create new jewelry you're excited to wear.

Finding a Designer

1. Finding a jeweller to redesign your inherited jewelry can be a daunting task, but with some research and preparation, you can find a jeweller who will bring your vision to life.
2. Ask for recommendations - Ask friends and family about jewellers they have used and trust. A great place to start is to get first-hand reviews of the jeweller's quality of work and customer service.
3. Research online - Look for local jewellers and read previous customer reviews. Please pay attention to the types of services they offer, their pricing, and their portfolio of work.
4. Schedule a consultation - Once you have narrowed your options, schedule a consultation with the jewellers you are interested in talking with. This will allow you to discuss your project in detail and get a sense of their expertise and customer service level.
5. Consider the cost - Finally, consider the price of the redesign. Get a detailed estimate of the cost of the redesign, and make sure that the jeweller is transparent about any additional materials that may be required.
6. When choosing a jeweller to redesign your inherited jewelry, it's essential to trust your gut and choose someone who you feel comfortable working with. It's also vital to ensure that the jeweller has the expertise and experience to bring your vision to life and that you are on the same page about the cost of the redesign. Davidson Jewels, a custom design jeweller located in Calgary, Alberta, is a perfect choice. With their team of expert jewellers, they can help you redesign your inherited jewelry using the latest technology, such as 3D design and 3D printed models. In addition, they have been serving the Calgary area for 34 years, building a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction.

Redesign Your Inherited Jewelry

1. First things first, take a good look at what you have. Examine the piece, and ask yourself, "What makes this special to me?" Is it the gold, the gemstones, or the sentimental value it holds? Once you've identified what you want to keep, it's time to get creative. You can set that diamond center stone from your grandmother's engagement ring into a pendant, match the gems from an outdated ring, and have them reset into a new design. The possibilities are endless, and the result will be a one-of-a-kind piece that holds both sentimental and personal value.
2. Size and Proportion: Consider the size and proportion of the piece when redesigning. A redesign should be comfortable to wear and flatter your features.
3. Wearability: Think about how often you'll wear the piece and in what situations. Will it be suitable for everyday wear or special occasions? A redesign should be versatile and ideal for how you live your life.
4. Durability: Remember to consider the piece's durability, especially if you plan to wear it often. A redesign should be made of high-quality materials that will stand the test of time.
5. Current Trends: Take note of current jewelry trends and see what can be incorporated into the redesign. This will make the piece look contemporary and fashionable.

Incorporating Precious Metals

1. Quality: The quality of the precious metal is essential to consider when incorporating it into a redesign. Make sure the metal is authentic and high-quality to ensure the piece will stand the test of time.
2. Colour: Precious metals come in yellow, white, and rose gold. Consider which colour of the metal will complement the gemstones and the piece's overall design.
3. Karat: The karat of the precious metal is another crucial factor to consider. 24-karat gold is pure gold, 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% alloy, and 14-karat gold is 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% alloy.
4. Quantity: Consider how much precious metal you want to incorporate into the redesign. You may want to keep the piece simple and elegant with a hint of metal, or you may want to make a bold statement with a significant amount of metal.
5. Combination: Think about how you want to combine the precious metal with other materials, such as gemstones or other metals. The variety of materials will affect the overall look and feel of the piece and should be carefully considered.
6. Refining: If you inherited old gold jewelry, consider refining it to get fresh new alloyed gold. Old gold jewelry may have impurities or multiple colours and karats that may not be suitable for the redesign. Refining it can make it ready to be used in a new piece. Refining the gold will make it cleaner and allow you to choose the karat of alloyed gold that will best suit your redesign.

Highlighting Precious Gemstones

Precious gemstones are like the stars in the sky, adding a touch of magic and wonder. If your inherited piece has jewels, highlight them in the redesign. You can reset the stones in a new setting, add more gemstones, or even repurpose the gems into a fresh piece. The key is to make the jewels the focal point of the piece; after all, they are the real stars of the show.

Repurposing older precious gemstones is a great way to give new life to an older piece of jewelry. Here are five tips for repurposing older precious gemstones:

1. Repolishing: A professional jeweller can repolish a gemstone to bring back its original shine and sparkle. This can be especially effective for older gemstones that may have lost their lustre over time.
2. Resetting: A new setting can completely transform a gemstone and give it a unique look. This can be done by resetting the gemstone in a new metal or adding elements to the setting, such as additional gemstones or intricate details.
3. Combining: If you have multiple older gemstones, they can be integrated into one new piece of jewelry. This can be done by creating a new ring or pendant using different gemstones.
4. Re-cutting: An older gemstone can be re-cut to change its shape or size. This can improve the gemstone's overall appearance or make it more versatile in a new setting.
5. Repurposing: An older gemstone can be repurposed into a new piece of jewelry. This can be done by using the gemstone to create a new ring, pendant, earrings, or even a new brooch.

Types of Settings Used To Hold Your Gems When Restyling Heirloom Jewellery

1. Bezel setting: This type of setting surrounds the gemstone with a metal band, creating a secure and elegant look that highlights the gemstone's shape and colour.
2. Halo setting: This type of setting surrounds the gemstone with a ring of tiny accent diamonds, creating a sparkling and dramatic look that highlights the gemstone's beauty.
3. Three-stone setting: This type of setting features a larger center gemstone with smaller accent gemstones on either side, creating a timeless and classic look that highlights the gemstone's size and colour.
4. Prong setting: This type of setting features metal prongs that hold the gemstone in place, creating a sleek and elegant look that highlights the gemstone's shape and colour.
5. Tension setting: This type of setting uses tension to hold the gemstone in place, creating a modern and contemporary look that highlights the gemstone's size and colour.
6. Pavé setting: This type of setting features small accent diamonds set closely together, creating a sparkling and glamorous look that highlights the gemstone's colour and brilliance.
7. Channel setting: This type of setting features small accent gemstones set closely together in a metal channel, creating a sleek and modern look that highlights the gemstone's colour and brilliance.
8. Cluster setting: This type of setting features a group of accent gemstones set closely together, creating a sparkling and dramatic look that highlights the gemstone's colour and brilliance.
9. Bar setting: This type of setting features small accent gemstones set closely together in a metal bar, creating a sleek and modern look that highlights the gemstone's colour and brilliance.

Personalization

Personalization is the cherry on top of the sundae regarding inherited jewelry. It's the element that takes a piece from being simply beautiful to be truly special and meaningful. Adding personal touches such as engravings, birthstones, or other meaningful symbols can make the piece truly one-of-a-kind and unique to you.

Think about adding an inscription to a ring or necklace with the name of the loved one who passed it down. Not only does it honour their memory, it also creates a sentimental and emotional connection to the piece. Imagine wearing a piece of jewelry that holds the beauty, memories, and feelings of a loved one.

Redesigning inherited jewelry with personalization can be a fantastic way to honour the memory of a loved one and create a piece that you'll treasure for years to come. It is a way to keep the memories alive and close to the heart. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can make the piece truly special and unique to you. So, let your creativity flow, and let's create something truly magical and personal together.