Tired of outdated jewellery? Ask a jewellery design, manufacture and repair specialist to make you something new from old pieces
Many women have jewellery which they never wear, for one reason or another. It could simply be that the style has gone out of fashion or does not appeal, the rings are now too small (did you know that our fingers expand as we get older?), or they have a collection of broken, mismatched, or damaged pieces which they cannot wear but refuse to discard. This could be due to sentimental attachments or the jewellery being too valuable to sell. It could be a desire not to let go of a family heirloom, yet knowing that it will never be worn and will remain locked away in a safe – which is surely not the intention.
Sentimentality is wonderful – but not always wearable …
Jewellery is often passed down through the generations, from grandmothers to mothers to daughters, and there is always a very sentimental value attached to such jewellery, but it may never be worn, especially rings and brooches. Bracelets, watches, necklaces, lockets and pendants may be worn with pride through different generations, especially in our modern world where beautifully crafted older jewellery is valued and admired, particularly fine filigree and detailed articles. But what about those other, less charming pieces which you don’t want to part with but will never wear? Keep them, wear them by all means – but in a style which suits your personality, and which fit properly.
Don’t be shy when it comes to repurposing old jewellery
There is nothing wrong with redesigning and repurposing old jewellery into a more modern style or using broken items which may have stones missing or are missing their “other half” such as cufflinks and earrings, to create something new and precious to you personally. You don’t even have to have jewellery itself; perhaps you have precious loose gems such as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, garnets, rubies, tanzanite, etc. which you want to have incorporated into a new piece of jewellery such as a ring, pendant or brooch. Whether you have a design in mind or need inspiration to create something which is unique you will find a manufacturing jeweller who will create the right piece for you.
He may well come up with ideas and designs which you would never have thought of yourself. His knowledge, expertise and artistic capabilities will enable you to make the best use of the gold, silver, stainless steel and precious gems which you have available.
Broken jewellery? A jeweller is the specialist you need to repair it
Jewellers are specialists in working with many different metals and precious gemstones and will be able to translate your vague idea into something bespoke and beautiful to you. Many jewellers use computer-aided design programmes which can effectively show you the “finished” product before it is even made, and which can be manipulated to produce exactly what you want. Even if you only need repairs to jewellery – a new clasp, re-setting the stones in a more secure setting to avoid loss, re-sizing a ring (either bigger or smaller – it’s all the same to the expert jeweller), repairing necklaces and re-stringing pearls, etc., a manufacturing and jewellery repair specialist will tackle the job with ease.
How to find the right jewellery design, manufacture and repair specialist
Check their online ratings and customer reviews
Jewellers can be found in shopping malls and on the high street everywhere you go. Whilst they may not all be individual manufacturing jewellers, but local outlets for national jewellery chains, there will be someone who can direct you to the specialist you need. Not all jewellery shops are equal, as the saying goes, and some are able to offer a wider variety of services than others. You may find them through adverts in the Yellow Pages, in women’s magazines and local shopping brochures and publications. You will also find them through internet searches using sites such as Uptasker, which lists in geographical areas, making it easy to find the specialist you need in your local area. Uptasker also provides online ratings and customer reviews, which is extremely useful in gauging the quality of the services on offer. The site also offers ‘one-click’ links to suppliers’ websites, if available, making your search even quicker, and allowing you to immediately see the services, quality and style of jewellery offered. And, of course, never forget traditional word-of-mouth referrals, where possible.
