FAQ’s Remodelling Jewellery

Jewellery re-modelling at our workshop in Larkhall, Central Scotland

If you find yourself wondering about terms such as jewellery remodelling, repurposing jewellery or remaking old gold into something new, we’re here to help. Read on to find answers to all your questions around our specialty…

“I have old gold and gemstones that I no longer wear- can they be used to make something that’s more to my taste?”

100%, yes! As long as it’s gold/platinum, and as long as they are precious/semi-precious stones, we’ll help you transform them into your own style.

“What exactly does the term remodelling mean?”

Remodelling means melting down your gold and bending it into a new style. If you have gemstones to use, we’ll re-set them too. There’s a bit more to it if you’re re-setting lot of gemstones, but keep reading to find out more…

“Can you give me an idea of how much remodelling costs?”

In order to determine the cost of remodelling, we need to know lots of factors beforehand such as;

-how much gold you have to use (any excess scrap gold can be deducted from the overall cost)

-what you would like us to make

-for rings, we must know finger size

-if you would like to add any gemstones (always a good idea!)

There’s a lot to cover, and each client will have their own unique requirements. So, this is why we suggest a consultation- to visit us in our workshop to discuss your specific needs. We’ll give you an idea of cost at the end of your appointment, which is free of charge.

“I currently wear yellow gold, but I’d love to switch to platinum, can this be done?”

Absolutely. Tastes change over time and as it does, so can your jewellery. If you still love your existing engagement and wedding style, we’ll simply replicate this into a new metal and re-set your diamonds. 

“I own 9ct and 18ct gold, can you mix these?”

We can mix your gold together in order to get more out of what you have, or to simply include something sentimental, like an inherited wedding ring.

However, when you add 9ct to 18ct gold, the purity will be reduced and it’s likely your piece will hallmark as 9ct or 14ct.

This isn’t a problem for us, but bear it in mind if you prefer your jewellery to remain 18ct (which is a more valuable gold).

 “Who makes my jewellery?”

Our founder, Shirley and daughter Hannah are the goldsmiths, along with a few other members of our small team. This is who you will meet with to chat about the remodelling possibilities. Your meeting with the person who will create your jewellery is so important- it allows us to understand one another and get a real feel for your style.

 “Where is my jewellery made?”

Every bespoke piece is made in our workshop in Larkhall. When you visit for your consultation, you’ll likely hear some loud sounds from the work benches. Don’t be alarmed, its noisy business making beautiful jewellery! 

“Do you send my jewellery away to be made?”

No- we have all the necessary skills and goldsmiths to create fine jewellery under one roof. Your item will be sent to be hallmarked by Edinburgh Assay Office, which is a legal obligation. However, we always use insured delivery. 

“I don’t know what I want to have made, can you help?”

Absolutely- a lot of our clients visit without knowing what they want, but don’t worry- once you start trying pieces on, the ideas will start to flow. We’ll sketch out options to help you visualise your new piece.

 “Is remodelling environmentally friendly?”

Re-using material will always have less environmental impact than sourcing new, and this most certainly applies to jewellery. Using existing diamonds, and old gold, is the best choice if you are hoping to minimise your carbon footprint when considering a jewellery project.

We can also source lab-grown diamonds from some of the best suppliers in the industry. 

“Where can I look for jewellery inspiration?”

We post everything we create on our Instagram and website gallery. You’ll find all of the pieces we’ve made over the years.

Pinterest is also a great place to find ideas- if you find something on there you love, we’ll likely suggest options to personalise what you like, so no one has one like it. 

“I know what I want, but is it do-able?”

One of the most common queries about remodelling is whether the idea you have can be achieved using your own materials. We will always endeavour to hand-make the style which you are opting for. Hand-make means melting down your own gold and forging it into a new style. There can however be limitations. For example, when it comes to stone setting. Most, if not all the time, remodelling involves re-setting a lot of diamonds/gems. This is when we combine hand skills with CAD technology. The CAD will help us achieve a precise new setting for lining up your gemstones, but this setting will be cast in new gold, platinum etc, rather than handmade from your own material.

“how long will it take to make?”

We require 8-12 weeks to create your piece- if you have a specific date in mind, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.