Modifying Your Old Jewellery

As September draws close to an end we decided to feature a very special sapphire and diamond ring that was commissioned by our client Doug for his wife Bernadette last year. We thought this remodelling job was the perfect piece to highlight this month’s birthstone and the possibilities of transforming an old item of jewellery into something new.

After searching through her jewellery box, Bernadette found this old sapphire and diamond ring that she no longer wore. Bernadette then visited our showroom to discuss remodelling design options with Eleanor. After selecting a modern design, the old ring was placed into our workshop and the sapphires and diamonds we carefully unset from the ring mount.

The old ring mount was of cast construction and not ideal to be melted down and reworked for the new ring. Cast metal can cause many issues during the hand making process when it is reworked due to the additives mixed into the metal when molten to help it flow into the mould.

Bernadette decided to add a larger oval blue sapphire to her collection of gemstones to create more of an impact in the design, two more diamonds we also selected to help with balance and proportions.

Each stone was measured and a combination of yellow and white gold chenier’s were handmade in different sizes to correspond with the different sizes of stones. The sapphire would be set into the yellow gold setting to compliment with warmth of the blue tones and the diamonds would be set into white gold settings to enhance the whiteness of the diamonds and their size.

Bernadette requested a combination of both yellow and white gold for the ring band. During the initial stages of design Eleanor and Bernadette worked together and decided to have three yellow gold bands and one white gold band to create a unique item of jewellery that also allowed the alternating yellow and white gold gemstone settings to tie in nicely with the design.

The settings were then laid out over the surface of the ring shank to see what positioning and spacing worked best for the different sized gemstones. Each setting was then carefully carved and fitted into the gaps in between the bands and soldered into position.

Here is Bernadette’s finished sapphire and diamond ring. We are so proud of this make and how beautiful this combination of coloured gold and gemstones works so well together. What was a very simple everyday ring has now been totally transformed into a showstopper to perfectly match Bernadette’s flair and style. We are sure this modern beauty will grab lots of attention!

If you are interested in having a bespoke piece of jewellery made for yourself or someone special in your life please contact us on (03) 9650 3830 or email us.
We would be more than happy to help you out.
For more inspiration please head to our website or social media and have a look through our online gallery.