Repurposing Jewelry

WHAT TO DO WITH INHERITED JEWELRY

You’ve inherited jewelry from your beloved grandmother, or aunt or mother. After some time has passed, you pull out your inherited jewelry. First you may want to get a general idea of its value. At Gold-Smith, we can help with either a written or verbal appraisal. Then you probably either can’t wait to wear the jewelry, or you know, you’ll never wear it. Ever. Before you begin wearing estate jewelry bring it into us at Gold-Smith.  We’ll look at it carefully, thoroughly clean it and let you know about the condition. It’s common for inherited jewelry to need repairs. This is especially true when older people have worn their jewelry regularly for many years.  The typical areas of wear include prongs (leading to lost diamonds or gemstones), sides and backs of rings, and hinges in bracelets. There may be cracked or broken areas, usually in rings. We can size rings and suggest other refurbishments to restore the jewelry to its original beauty. 

You have three options:

1. Keep it. Lock it up in a safety deposit box for your heirs. Will they wear it? Wasn’t her intention for you to wear and enjoy it?

2. Sell it. If you wouldn’t wear it, it’s probably hard to sell as a finished piece. So expect to get the intrinsic value for the metal, diamonds and gemstones. Large, good quality diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds have a resale value. Other stones have a small or negligent value. 

3. Redesign it. Turn it into something you love! The jewelry was gifted to you because of your relationship with them, and was meant for you to enjoy. But if you probably won’t wear the estate jewelry the way it is, let us turn it into something you will wear and cherish. Then you’ll be able to enjoy the memory of them every time you see it.

How to redesign inherited jewelry

Large and gorgeous diamond or gemstone but not your design taste? It happens. Bring it into us at Gold-Smith and we’ll discuss alternatives and help clarify a design. We’ll ask you a variety of questions, such as:

  • What type of jewelry do you want (ring, pendant, earring, bracelet)?
  • What style of jewelry do you like? We’ll take you around the store to get to know your taste. We may refer to our portfolios and jewelry online.
  • How often and where will you wear this new jewelry? This will help determine the styling and design impact that you’ll want.
  • Would you like one piece or multiple pieces? Grandma’s huge ring often looks better in more than one piece of jewelry. You can do them all now, or one at a time.
  • Do you have any other jewelry at home that you don’t wear anymore? Bring it in! If there are diamonds or gemstones you’ll have more design options. We can even reuse your gold or platinum if you want!
Other tips and ideas

Combine inherited jewelry from more than one inheritance into a single piece. Or combine your mother’s and father’s jewelry into one piece representing the two of them together.

Convert

Take your sentimental pieces and convert into one or more items. This works well when a pendant or ring has many similar diamonds or gemstones. Bracelet links can be made into many pendants or rings. Earrings can be made into two identical pendants or rings.

Easy-Peasy

Some huge cocktail rings with many large gemstones or diamonds would look better as a pendant. It may be possible to keep the exact setting, cut off the back of the ring, and convert it into a pendant. Clip on earrings can still be earrings—just hang them from posts or hoops. Or change the clip on earrings into matching pendants. Small pendants can be used as a ‘top plate’ for a ring.

Let Gold-Smith help you to wear and enjoy your inherited jewelry!

 

For more information on repurposing your inherited jewelry please contact us at:

718-855-2400 or goldsmithserviceinfo@gmail.com