Why would I repurpose my jewellery?

In this world of recycling and zero waste, how much better would it be rather than always buying new but to repurpose what you have already.

Repurposing jewellery can be a sustainable and meaningful way to breathe new life into old pieces, keeping memories and connections to loved ones alive.  Practically, repurposing jewellery reduces the demand for new metals and gems which can help reduce our carbon footprint.

Keeping the past alive can be joyous and beautiful and so so satisfying. There are situations where the story of a particular piece is not so joyous or beautiful and it is an honour to turn that story around by creating something that you will love and be proud to wear.  This is where the trust that we must build comes in and a relationship is born.

Does repurposing affect the value of my jewellery?

I have spent a long time looking and working with jewellery.  Most pieces have wonderful stories and are very sentimental but have no provenance, i.e. they are not from famous makers or from a particular time.  By disassembling and redesigning them into a modern setting, (maybe adding further stones and better metal) then you are, in fact, increasing the value.

If you are proposing to break up an item that does have provenance, then we would need to discuss the implications to the value of the new piece in comparison to what it is currently valued at. 

If I like something from another shop, can I have a copy of it?

I recommend, when approaching a jeweller about bespoke work, that you should ensure you like the style of jewellery that they make – as this is certainly the principle and style that your new design will closely resemble.  I shall never knowingly copy or reproduce something another designer has made or drawn.

How do I get my jewellery to you, and how safe is it when it is with you?

If you cannot get the pieces to me in person, then I trust the Royal Mail Special Delivery 24 Track and Trace service. They will need the weight and the approx. value. I just need to know when it is coming.

I shall also send you your final piece back via the same service on the day of your choosing, or give it to you in person.

I keep all your jewellery at whatever stage in a secure safe in my home which is insured but will need a formal valuation from you to be sure of any claim.

Is Repurposing cheaper than buying new? What are the costs involved?

There is a common misconception that repurposing should be much cheaper than buying new. This is not the case. The cost of anything unique and made for you, and you only, does not come at a bargain, knock down price.  The time and care that is taken to ensure that you are comfortable and happy with every step of the journey, and the expertise that is required to not only take jewellery apart, but to redesign and make an individual piece, is long and sometimes very testing.

You are paying for that expertise, and my undivided attention. I am, as much as possible, at your beck and call throughout the whole process.

Some of the costs below will be charged to you whether or not you proceed.

£40 to take apart

£100 – £150 for a CAD drawing and amendments if necessary.  These will be payable, before anything is returned, if you decide not to go ahead.  Otherwise they will be incorporated into the final quote which also includes the following:- designing, materials, casting, hallmarking, setting, polishing, postage with insurance.

Any scrap that is available, see below, will be taken off the final quote.

Can you re-use any metal or stones?

Where possible, I shall incorporate your existing jewellery into a design.  For instance, a wedding ring can be turned into a pendant incorporating gems and other precious metals.

Most jewellers though won’t literally melt and repurpose your jewellery but will accept it as scrap for credit towards a new purchase. Old jewellery is full of old solder, which will have been contaminated over the years and will need many hours of work melting, cleaning, refining and reworking it into usable wire, sheet, or into a cast.  This takes money and specialist equipment.

I, however, take your jewellery and sort it into precious and non-precious piles. Then separated the precious metals into their carat, weigh it and calculate the scrap value on that day’s precious metal price.  After charging a small handling fee, I shall inform you of the total price of the scrap which can then be put towards the new design cost. I do not give any cash back for scrap.

All stones, where possible, are viewed for damage and authenticity. If we are both unsure of the identity of a stone, there is a service that I can provide that will authenticate and value them.  There is a cost to this depending on the quantity of stones etc that you want identifying and/or valuing.

It is often the case that some stones may not have a monetary value but they have sentimental value.  This process is all about sentiment and it is very important to find someone who will respect and who you can connect with. This is all about trust again!  I shall treat all your jewellery as though it is my own.

If I need more stones, can you source them and match up with what I already have?

Depending on the jewellery you want repurposing it is often the case that adding some other stones will enhance the design.  If original stones need matching, I shall try my best to get an exact match or as close as possible. Stones can be bought on appro if necessary.

How long does it take?

The design process will take as long as it takes to get a design that you are delighted with. This can be through personal meetings and/or via Zoom, Facetime etc.

Only after you are happy, will I put together a quote. Once accepted, then the final piece will be ready within 6-8 weeks depending on the complexity of the design.

What if I don’t like what you have done?

I understand that you do not want to take a piece of unworn jewellery out of its hiding place only to put it back there after it is redesigned because you do not like it. Be assured, this is very unlikely as I go to great lengths to make sure that you love every aspect of the design before starting to make your piece of jewellery.

That said, the decision to go ahead must be yours, but at your risk.

How do we make a start?

Get in touch with me via anna@annafrancebespoke.co.uk or phone me to make a personal appointment or for a Zoom / Facetime call.

Meanwhile, send me photos of your jewellery and maybe ideas of what you would like, along with any thoughts, and let’s get started.