Almost everyone has a few pieces they never wear: a grandmother's ring that doesn't suit their hand, a broken chain, earrings from a different decade. They sit in a drawer because they mean too much to sell and too little to wear. Remodelling is the third option. Your existing gold and stones become a new piece designed around how you live now.
Remodel, sell or keep?
Selling old gold returns its metal value, and nothing for its history or design. Remodelling keeps the materials, and the meaning, in the family. As a rough rule:
- Remodel when the piece has sentimental value, contains good stones, or you'd genuinely wear a new design.
- Sell when it's broken gold with no attachment. See our sell your gold service.
- Keep as is when the piece is wearable, signed or antique, and changing it would lose more than it gains.
What can be reused
Gold. Your gold is assessed first. If it has the quality the new design needs, it goes into your piece. If not, the piece is made in fresh gold of a standard alloy. Some clients prefer their original metal in the piece for its sentimental value, and where that's possible, we'll talk you through what it means for the design.
Stones. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are hard enough to reset in most cases. Softer stones, such as opal, emerald and pearl, need more careful handling and an inspection before they're moved. Old stones are checked for chips and wear before they go into a new setting, and some benefit from a re-polish.
How the process works
- Consultation. Bring your pieces in and talk through how you'd like to wear the result. Nothing is decided at this stage.
- Design. You'll see a 3D render of the design before any metal is touched, and it can be refined until it's right.
- Quote. Once the design is settled, you receive a fixed quote covering design, any added metal, and stone setting.
- Making. Your piece is made by hand at our Bridgeman Downs workshop.
- Collection. Remodels start from two weeks, depending on how complex the design is.
Ideas that work well
- A single heirloom diamond reset into a modern pendant or ring.
- Several family rings combined into one piece shared across a generation.
- An old engagement ring updated with a new setting while keeping the original stone.
- Inherited chains and broken pieces reworked into a plain wedding band.
What affects the cost
Every remodel is quoted individually. The main factors are how complex the design is, how much new metal is needed, and how many stones need setting. Reusing your own stones, and your gold where it's suitable, can reduce the cost compared with buying an equivalent new piece.
Start with a conversation
Remodelling works best when the jeweller understands both the piece and the person who'll wear it. Visits to our private workshop in Bridgeman Downs, on Brisbane's northside, are by appointment, so you'll speak directly with the jeweller making your piece. Book a consultation, or read more about our jewellery remodelling service.
