The Secrets of Repurposing Jewelry
Deciding to repurpose your jewelry can be an exciting time. It means you get to take the jewelry sitting in your jewelry box, gather dust, and give it new life. Maybe your grandmother's necklace holds sentimental value but is not a style you would normally wear. Or you bought a pair of earrings at an estate sale, and you love the gemstones, but not the rest of the piece. You may even have an heirloom ring you'd like to use as an engagement ring, but the style is outdated.
Repurposing jewelry is a great way to take elements from a piece you love and turn them into something you want to wear daily. With the help of a great jeweler, you can update a ring to a more relevant style, take parts of two necklaces and combine them into one, or even turn a pair of earrings into cufflinks. The only limit is your imagination.
Why Repurpose?
There are so many great reasons to repurpose your jewelry! Here are just a few examples.
Redesign Sentimental Pieces:
A bunch of jewelry passed down from your grandma doesn't do you any good sitting in a box. If the jewelry is not your style or needs serious maintenance, it might be a good candidate for a complete redesign. The great thing about saving sentimental jewelry is that you can use all the different materials and update them or take your favorite parts and pair them with all other materials. For example, you could turn a gorgeous but outdated broach into a ring or a pendant.
Mix and Match Your Favorite Elements:
It's possible to take parts from several different pieces and mix and match. You could pair the gold band from a ring with the emerald from a pendant. Or melt down the silver chain from a bracelet and reuse it for cufflinks. So, if you love part of a piece but not all of it, never fear; you can save the parts you like and rework them.
Update Out-of-Style Pieces:
A family heirloom or a beautiful piece you found at an estate sale might be made of the best materials, but you'll probably never wear it if it's out of style. But with a little redesign magic, a jeweler can help you take that piece and bring it up to date with all the latest styles.
Give Engagement or Wedding Bands a New Life After a Divorce:
After a divorce, there are so many choices you have to make, including what to do with the engagement and wedding bands. Jewelry that once symbolized love and commitment can become a painful reminder for many people. Redesigning it into something you love can help you move on and heal from heartbreak.
Support a More Sustainable Jewelry Practice:
And, of course, repurposing jewelry instead of buying it new is more sustainable. By reusing older pieces, you can help negate the impact of mining on the environment and help build a more sustainable world.
Want to know more about jewelry repurposing? Check out more information here.
Choosing Pieces to Repurpose
Deciding what pieces to redesign can be an exciting process in rediscovering jewelry and looking at why you've kept each piece, even if you don't wear it. Take a look at each piece and what part draws you to it. Jewelry can be incredibly sentimental and precious because it carries the memories of generations. When you redesign an heirloom piece to a style you will wear more, you bring those memories out of a box and share them.
But not every piece you will want to redesign will hold great sentimental value. Sometimes, we buy jewelry just because it's beautiful. In some cases, we buy it because we think one part is gorgeous, even if we don't like the whole thing. Those pieces are great candidates for a redesign because you can take the parts you want and let them shine.
But there is a crucial point to remember when going through your jewelry. Just because you like how it looks or it's sentimental doesn't mean it's made of quality materials. It's vital to understand what each piece is made of and the value of it before you commit to a redesign. But when you talk to a jeweler about a redesign, they can help you evaluate the quality of your pieces so that you understand what you can do with each one.
That’s where we can help you decide what sentimental pieces are most valuable - contact us today with questions!
Considerations Before You Commit
Before diving in head first, you should consider some things about the whole process. It's vitally important to understand how the process works, especially when you're working with sentimental pieces. Redesigning jewelry is a permanent process. Once done, you cannot return the piece to its original design. Part of the design may involve melting and recasting the metal or cutting a gemstone. So not only will all of the original shape be lost, but part of the material may be discarded in the process. So only redesign your grandmother's wedding ring or any other sentimental piece if you are sure you want to say goodbye to the old design and know that you will love the new one.
Before committing, you should also consider the quality of the material and set a budget for yourself. This is especially true if you only supply part of the material used and the rest will be new. Don't let yourself be pushed into going over budget for more expensive materials. A good jeweler will help you find something you will love while staying within your budget.
How to Choose a Jeweler
When you're choosing a jeweler for your redesign, do your research. Look for a jeweler that makes the style of jewelry you love. Consider the typical price range for the pieces, the quality, the transparency, and how sustainable they strive to be. You want a jeweler who will be honest with you and work to make the best design for you.
When shopping around, look at reviews that others have left for the business. This will give you some insight into the quality of their work and how they treat their clientele. You can also ask friends and family where they shop for jewelry and where they have had redesigns done.
Another essential aspect to consider is what certifications the jeweler has. Look for credentials from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society. This will show that the jewelers have worked hard to learn their craft and will give you a quality product.
The Redesign Process
The first step is to book a consultation once you decide where to go for your redesign. Then, you can talk to your jeweler and discuss the piece you want to repurpose.
At this point, you can also set a budget for the project and ensure you understand the whole redesign process. You can also ensure you know how to care for your new one-of-a-kind piece.
Jewelry Repurposing with Carats & Stones
Don’t pass up a design using your repurposed jewelry from Carats and Stones. We will work with you to express your personal, custom style and make your experience memorable.
That’s where our newest shopping appointments will make your experience even more special! Choose from forty-five to 120-minute appointments where Caracts and Stones provide our jewelry experts (Linda herself is an option!) for consultations and try-on sessions, a High-Tea or Charcuterie experience, bring a friend, and much more.
Discover why four generations of jewelry connoisseurs shop with Caracts and Stones! Book your special appointment today.
