You can’t always get exactly what you want. Whether it is off-the-peg clothing that is exactly the right shape, size and colour, a car that has every single accessory that you desire, or jewellery which fits and looks like it was made just for you. Unless you are exceptionally lucky, one – or a few – small irritations will always come with the deal, as it were. There are always options available to correct minor flaws, but what do you do with inherited or gifted jewellery which you just know that you will never wear because it does not fit your style or is too small, too large or simply unattractive? The answer is not to put it in a drawer and forget it, but rather to adapt and re-use it to create an article which you will enjoy wearing. This would be the time to call in the jewellery designers and manufacturers to turn unwanted or unused items into something new and wearable.
Wear your jewellery – even if it isn’t in its original design
Some years ago, I was lucky enough to inherit a diamond and garnet ring from my Godmother, who was a very petite woman with very small, delicate fingers – quite different to my own hands. The ring itself was beautiful in a very genteel and old-fashioned way, with much intricate filigree workmanship. But, as beautiful as it was, and with all the sentimental value it held, it was of no use to me as a wearable item. There were a couple of other gold articles as well, including an antique silver brooch which I had always actively disliked. What could I do with this jewellery? The answer was fairly simple : rework the existing pieces into an article which I could wear with pleasure and still have that loving connection to a woman who had been an inspiration for so much of my life.
How do you decide which jewellery designer to choose?
When looking for a jewellery designer, it is clear that you should, if at all possible, choose one whose designs, abilities and knowledge match with your own ideas. It is pointless going to a designer who loves filigree work and antique elements when you are looking for an uncluttered and simple design. On the other hand, intricate and rather traditional designs may well be a challenge for a designer whose own style indicates a very clean and austere approach to jewellery. A jewellery designer usually has a unique style, but this does not mean that they cannot turn their hand to any type of design, even if this is out of their comfort zone. They are professionals who can turn any design into reality, whether it conforms to their unique style or not. You work with the designer throughout the process, and the creative drawings produced will give you an accurate depiction of the final piece, as well as allowing you to guide the design. Many designers work with computer programs, which give you a 3-D realistic view of the finished product. This gives both you and the designer many opportunities to adapt or refine the design before it goes into manufacture.
What type of metal and materials does a jeweller work with?
Jewellery designers and manufacturers work with a wide variety of materials, including different metals, certain plastics, fibres, precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies, or semi-precious natural stones such as amethyst, garnet, rose quartz, opals, tiger’s eye, tanzanite and turquoise, amongst many others. The base metals they work with could be platinum, gold (white, yellow or rose), stainless steel, sterling silver, palladium, titanium and tungsten, or combinations of any of these metals, which allows for almost limitless design options. If you have loose gemstones from old rings, earrings, brooches, bracelets or pendants, then incorporate them into a new jewellery item and wear them, because that is what they are for, after all. It really doesn’t matter what size your gemstones are – you build the design around what you have available. I have about ten very tiny tanzanite gemstones which I bought many years ago, and am planning to have a ring made which will incorporate these beautiful little sparklers – which are actually a thousand times rarer than diamonds – into a half-eternity ring in a gentle wave-like pattern which will remind me of the sea. It’s going to take a special manufacturing jeweller to work his magic and vision to achieve the result I am looking for, but I have no doubt this specialist is available somewhere.
Ring too tight? Have it re-sized and get it back on your finger
It is worth noting that manufacturing jewellers are also experts at repairwork, and are definitely the go-to experts when you are in danger of losing the diamonds in your engagement ring because the prongs have worn down over time and their grip has become a little too loose for comfort. Perhaps you just need to have your ring re-sized because your fingers have changed over the years and the ring is either too tight or too loose. You don’t have to worry about alterations being visible because you definitely will not see where and how the ring has been resized, which is a worry for some people. A much-loved and well-worn ring will come back from a jewellery repairer looking almost like new, because it will have been professionally buffed and polished before being returned to you. You could also treat yourself – and your jewellery – and have it professionally polished once every couple of years to bring it back to its original beauty and sparkle, and at the same time, have the settings checked to ensure that they are still gripping their precious cargo securely and you won’t run the risk of losing any of your valuable diamonds or other gemstones when you least expect it.
