Here's a guide to what jewellery remodelling, reworking or upcycling means.
Jewellery remodelling, reworking or upcycling are all terms used for the same process. Simply put, taking your sentimental jewellery, removing any stones or diamonds and reworking the metal into any of my designs.
The jewellery remodelling process
This is essentially the same process if I am remodelling your own jewellery or you are commissioning with new precious metal or stones. It involves lots of commutation, sketches and quotes. The one essential difference is that we have to consider what design your stones and materials will lend themselves too. Sometimes there may have to be a comprise. For example, perhaps your stones are too large for the design you like - you might want a delicate band, but your stones would only allow for a chunky band. However, I love a challenge and will always try and find a way of making what you have work for your needs.
Removing and assessing your jewellery
Once the design has been confirmed and I have received your jewellery, I will take a good look, test the stones, measure them, weigh the gold, check the metal quality and then come back to you and confirm all the details are as expected. Often at this point, if we are unsure about the finger size, I make "rough" silver mock up of the design in your finger size and post it to you. Once you have worn the sample for a few days we can be sure the size is correct. This process is sometimes repeated several times until we are totally certain we have the size perfect.
Preparing your jewellery
Firstly I dissect your jewellery, removing stones, cleaning and assessing them. Once out of their settings I can check they are strong enough to use again, measure the size and weigh them. All those details are added to the design. The metal is cleaned and weighed ready to be re-used.
Creating the metal or sheet
At this point I then melt and re-cast your gold to make the jewellery. The first stage is melting the gold and casting it to make an ingot. From here I use a rolling mill to make the ingot into wire, similar to the dimensions I need to create the piece. If I am making a two band ring I need to do this twice. If there are settings and loops, these need to be cast separately too. This is a labour intensive part, but really enjoyable.
Constructing the pieces
Once I have the raw materials and settings made I work them in much the same way as if I am making a commission with new metal. Shaping the metal, soldering it to form the piece, and setting the stones. Some pieces may have between 5 to 20 solder joints depending on complexity, so it can be challenging, and sometimes it needs several attempts to ensure the design looks how I visualise it to be. A small tweak here or there is make or break.
Finishing the remodelled piece
The last stage of the remodelling process is to work on the metal until there are no marks on the surface, and then I can beginning polishing or matting the piece to make it look beautiful. This is the dusty, dirty part - it alway looks worse just before it looks amazing!
…and finally!
Once the remodelled jewellery is finished it is photographed and then prepared to be posted or collected in a lovely box wrapped in ribbon, with a little hand written note from me.