What Can (and Can’t) Be Used When Remodelling Jewellery?

Jewellery remodelling is a thoughtful and sustainable way to breathe new life into pieces you no longer wear. Whether it’s inherited jewellery filled with sentiment, gifts from another time in your life, or pieces that no longer suit your style, remodelling offers the chance to honour the past while creating something that feels just right for today.

But not everything in your jewellery box can—or should—be reused. So what exactly can be remodelled, and what’s best left behind?

Let me explain.

What Materials Can Be Reused?

I work exclusively with precious materials. These ensure not only the beauty of your new piece, but also the durability and integrity to last for years to come.

Here’s what I can work with:

• Gold (any carat)
• Some sterling silver
• Precious gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires
• Selected semi-precious stones, including tourmaline and turquoise

I do not work with platinum, costume jewellery, or non-precious metals, as these aren’t suitable for the quality of handmade jewellery I create.

The Truth About Recycling Metal

Recycling your own gold or silver might seem like a simple swap—but it’s actually a detailed, time-intensive process. Often, it takes longer than starting with newly refined metal. Here’s why:

• Old jewellery isn’t pure metal—it usually contains solder (used to join parts) that must be carefully removed before melting.
• The weight you provide doesn’t equate to the weight of your finished piece. Some of the original metal may be lost or unsuitable for reuse.
• I usually add a little fresh metal—fine silver for silver melts, or higher carat gold for gold melts—to help the flow and ensure a cleaner, stronger result.
• Once molten, the metal is poured into a mould to create sheet, wire, or components, depending on the design.
• Throughout the project, metal may need to be re-melted and reformed multiple times to make the most of what’s available.

This extra care is what allows me to preserve the sentiment of your original jewellery while ensuring the new piece meets the highest standard.

 What About Lost Wax Casting?

For certain designs—especially sculptural or detailed pieces—I may recommend a method called lost wax casting. In this process, a model is hand-carved in wax, then cast into metal.

In these cases, your original metal can’t be used directly. Instead, it’s sent to a bullion dealer, and you receive the scrap value as a credit towards your commission.

 Reusing Gemstones

Most precious and many semi-precious stones can be reused, provided they’re in good condition. Before setting them into a new piece, I carefully inspect each stone to ensure it’s free from chips or cracks that might affect its durability.

If a stone is damaged, I’ll always talk you through the options—whether it can be recut, set into a protective design, or replaced with something similar and meaningful.

 Creating Something Personal and New

Once we’ve established what can be reused, the creative process begins. Whether you’re transforming inherited gold into a meaningful pendant, combining family heirlooms into one special ring, or reworking old stones into something entirely new—the result will be your story, captured in metal and stone.

If you have unworn jewellery tucked away, let’s reimagine it together.

Ready to begin your own remodelling journey? Get in touch here and let’s explore what’s possible.