How To Remodel Old Jewellery Into Modern Bespoke Pieces

Jewellery often holds sentimental value, passed down through generations or tied to cherished memories. However, over time, even the most beautiful pieces may start to feel outdated or no longer suit your style. The good news is that old jewellery can be given a new lease on life by remodelling it into modern, bespoke jewellery that perfectly reflects your personal taste and desires. Here’s how to transform your vintage gems into a contemporary masterpiece.

1. Assessing the Existing Jewellery to Remodel

The first step in remodelling old jewellery is to evaluate the existing jewels. This includes checking the quality and condition of the materials, such as the gemstones and metals. A no obligation chat with Jennifer and your jewels can help identify whether the piece is worth remodelling. For example, the integrity of gemstones, the purity of the metals, and the craftsmanship are all factors that can determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of remodelling jewellery

Additionally, consider the sentimental elements attached to the jewellery. If the piece holds significant emotional value, you may want to preserve certain aspects, such as the original stones, setting, or design features. Alternatively, if the piece is not as sentimental, you might be more open to making drastic changes. Understanding your priorities will guide the remodelling process and help achieve the desired outcome all of which Jennifer has over 25 years of experience doing just this.

2. Choose a New Bespoke Jewellery Design

Once you’ve assessed your existing jewellery, the next step is to decide on the new design. This is where you can really let your creativity shine and collaborate with Jennifer to help bring your vision to life. Think about what you want to achieve with the jewellery remodel. Do you want to maintain the classic style of the original piece but with a modern twist, or are you looking for a completely new and contemporary look?

Consulting with a jewellery designer, me, Jennifer House, can help you visualise the possibilities. Designers often use computer-aided design (CAD) to create 3D renderings of the new piece, allowing you to see what the remodelled jewellery will look like before any changes are made. Consider different styles, such as minimalist, art deco, bohemian, or avant-garde, and how they can reflect your personal style. The designer, Jennifer House, can also advise you on the technical aspects, like the best ways to reset stones or alter settings, while keeping the structural integrity intact.

3. Incorporating or Repurposing Stones from the Jewellery Remodel

One of the most significant aspects of remodeling jewellery is the ability to reuse the existing stones. If you have diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, or other precious stones, these can be reset in a new bespoke jewellery design that better suits your modern taste. Recutting or polishing gemstones can also enhance their appearance or alter their shape to fit a new setting.

If you have multiple pieces of old jewellery to remodel, combining stones from different pieces can be a creative way to add a unique touch to the final remodelled jewellery design. For example, small diamonds from a vintage ring can be used as accent stones for a new pendant, while a larger central stone can become the focal point of the design. Additionally, leftover gemstones can be used to create matching accessories, such as earrings or a bracelet.

4. Updating Metal Settings from your Jewellery Remodel into your new Bespoke Jewellery Design

The metal setting is another crucial aspect to consider. The metal may be worn or tarnished, or it might simply not align with your modern aesthetic. Old settings can be melted down and reused into your new remodelled jewellery, or you can choose a different metal altogether. For instance, you might replace an outdated yellow gold setting with a sleek white gold or platinum design, or even try a more unconventional metal like rose gold or blackened silver in your new bespoke jewellery design.

Changing the metal can give the jewellery a completely new look while still maintaining the original stones' sentimental value. You can also incorporate mixed metals for a trendy, contemporary style that adds depth and visual interest to the piece.

5. Adding Personal Touches to your Bespoke Jewellery

The beauty of remodeling old jewellery is that you can personalise it to your exact preferences. You might want to engrave a meaningful message, incorporate birthstones, or add design elements that represent significant life events. These customisations ensure that the remodelled jewellery is not only modern and stylish but also uniquely yours.

Think about symbolic elements or motifs that are meaningful to you and how they can be incorporated into the design. Whether it’s an intricate pattern, a favourite colour, or a design inspired by nature, adding these personal touches can enhance the emotional significance of the jewellery.

The Finished Remodelled Jewellery

6. Work with a Trusted Jeweller, Jennifer House, A Surrey Jeweller

Finally, it’s essential to work with a skilled and reputable jeweller who specialises in custom jewellery. Remodeling jewellery requires precision and expertise, especially when dealing with valuable and potentially fragile materials. A trusted jeweller will guide you through the process, offering advice on the best practices to achieve your vision while keeping the piece durable and wearable.  I've been doing this for over 25 years already, get inspired by my creations or have a look at our client testimonials to see what they think of their jewellery remodels

Remodelling old jewellery into a modern bespoke piece is a beautiful way to breathe new life into sentimental items. By assessing the existing jewellery, choosing a design that reflects your taste, repurposing stones, updating settings, adding personal touches, and collaborating with a skilled jeweller, you can transform vintage gems into a piece that is not only fashionable but also deeply meaningful. This process not only preserves the history and emotion behind the original jewellery but also allows you to create something that fits seamlessly into your modern wardrobe