Repurposing a family ring into a blue sapphire pendant necklace
If there is something I always get a great sense of fulfilment from is from remodelling heirloom jewellery. Most people when they buy jewellery they will always look to the future of the piece. Will I be able to pass it down to the next generation? No doubt that will always cross someone’s mind when purchasing jewellery. So when that ring or bracelet is passed on to the next generation, they will not only be wondering about the financial value, but what the piece meant to whomever bought it first. Was it a gift? A symbol of undying love? A celebration of merit? Where did it come from?
And of course, what memories does it hold. Because jewellery is weighted with meaning. It doesn't matter what it is; there is likely to be some sentimental or emotional reason tied to a particular item you tend to wear.
A SENTIMENTAL GOLD SAPPHIRE RING INHERITED FROM HER MOTHER GETS REMODELLED
The more sentimental the piece, the more wear it gets. Inevitably, wear and tear can lead to broken settings and stones falling out, like my client L’s ring.
Originally, it was her mother's old ring with sapphires and diamonds bought in the Far East. Though after her mother passed she had worn it, one of the stones kept popping out and she never really liked the original design, because trends move on and things begin looking outdated.
A NEW BESPOKE PENDANT NECKLACE USING THE CLIENT’S OWN STONES
After reading, the article in The Telegraph where I was featured chatting to the lovely Jack Rear about "What I’ve learned about family and memory from handling people’s heirlooms” L had a look at my website and decided to reach out.
She knew she wanted a pendant inspired by the purple sapphire in white gold I had published on my website, so that was a great starting point.
Related: A bespoke purple sapphire pendant necklace for a belated 21st birthday
We discussed taking inspiration in the round shape and incorporating the sapphires from her inherited ring and using her diamonds. But, her sapphires were a bit dark so to tone them down I suggested adding a few more sapphires in lighter and different tones to achieve an ombre effect.
Drawings were drawn up; sapphires were sourced, and presented to L in our following consultation. In her case, I presented her with 4 initial sketches for her to choose one.
Once she decided on her design, I proceed to make it in 18 carat yellow gold with her own sapphires and the new sourced ones, plus I added her own diamonds to give it some it sparkle and light.
✨I love how it turned out and so did she! But we were not finished there, keep reading!
RECYCLING THE 9 CARAT GOLD RING INTO AN BOHEMIAN ANKLET
As I mentioned her new pendant necklace was made in 18 carat yellow gold. The colour of 18 carat yellow gold for me is unbeatable. The yellow-gold tint seems brighter and richer because 18 carat gold contains more gold than 9 carat gold. Yellow gold is a blend of pure gold, copper, and nickel, which gives it a warm appearance. That warmth sets off the blue sapphires beautifully.
But we had the original 9 carat gold left over, plus one tiny diamond that simply did not fit in the pendant design. When you have leftover gold you have 2 options: first, you can sell it as scrap gold and use the money to put towards your design, or second, you can make something new with it.
Making something new is not always as cost effective as it sounds. You think to yourself, “Well, I am giving her the gold, and surely that is the most costly component of jewellery”. Well, I hate to break it to you but in the case of 9 carat gold it is not always true. To melt it down and get it to a workable sheet or wire takes time and time is money.
But despite the cost, we decided to use the 9 carat gold to make two tiny pendants to hang from an anklet. The perfect Bohemian jewellery piece for the summer.
On one of the disk pendants I set the little leftover diamond, and the results were simple yet sweet.
I loved being able to recycle this 9 carat gold rather than sell it as scrap. I love the sustainability of it, and it also gives new life to something that has sentimental value.
Working with metal is like alchemy, transforming metals like gold to extend life into old jewellery. How lucky am I to call this my job?
Related: 7 things you need to consider when redesigning your old jewellery
The possibilities for remaking your old jewellery into new future heirlooms are unlimited.
If you have a piece of jewellery that you want repurposed, you may be wondering what kinds of things can be done. Once the gemstones have been removed and the gold has been melted, your options are pretty limitless, really.
Also remember you don’t need to use all your gemstones and gold in one piece, you can choose one stone and start from there, or if you would like to add more gemstones this too is a possibility.
The possibilities are endless, if you have an unwanted jewellery heirloom inherited from some you love that needs a new lease of life, feel free to contact me for a free consultation.
Come over to our studio in Wimbledon, South West London and let our small jewellery business help you.
Or if you prefer to work remotely we can do that too.
Militza Ortiz
A Wimbledon, London based jewellery designer/maker with 20 years experience.
I am passionate about envisioning and hand creating future heirlooms.
