Jewellery Transformations

HEIRLOOM REMODELLING & RESTORATION

Inherited, unworn and sentimental jewellery reimagined into bespoke pieces designed to be worn again.

Old gold about to be melted and reused.
Old gold about to be melted and reused.
Old gold remodelled into a handmade Ceylon sapphire dress ring by MN Jewellery Design

We transform existing jewellery into new bespoke pieces, preserving meaningful gemstones, precious metal and family history where possible. Some pieces need subtle updates; others are completely re-imagined through new design and fabrication.


Featured Transformation Projects

Explore selected jewellery transformation projects, from inherited gemstones and old gold to newly designed pieces with renewed purpose.

Click on any project to see the original jewellery, design development, workshop photographs and the craftsmanship behind the finished piece.

BEFORE

AFTER

Gold Snake Cuff Transformation

A bold Cleopatra-inspired snake cuff created from the client’s own gold & diamonds.


BEFORE

AFTER

Inherited Stones to Tsavorite Ring

Sentimental gemstones transformed into a bold gold ring with vivid tsavorite garnets.


BEFORE

AFTER

Re-imagined In Gold

An existing ring remodelled in gold, creating a more refined, wearable design.


Not every jewellery transformation requires starting from scratch. Some pieces need a thoughtful update; others are completely redesigned using existing gemstones, gold or sentimental elements.

Smaller alterations are quoted individually. Significant jewellery remodelling projects typically begin from around $2,500, with final investment depending on materials, complexity and the extent of redesign required.

Smaller Changes & Restorations

Sometimes a few thoughtful changes are all that's needed to give a piece new life.

This may include replacing gemstones, updating settings, resizing, reshaping or modernising the design while preserving the sentimental value of the original piece.

Sometimes even small changes can make a big difference.

BEFORE

Diamond ring before engraved and pierced detailing was added

AFTER

Diamond ring after engraving and pierced detail were added

Diamond Ring Detail Upgrade


Engraving and pierced detail were added to this diamond ring, giving the original design more character, texture and visual interest.

BEFORE

Gold and diamond ring before reshaping and gold removal

AFTER

Ring Reshaping


Gold was carefully removed from the original ring to lighten the design, soften its appearance and make it feel more suited to the owner’s personal style.

BEFORE

Emerald ring before the setting was lowered

AFTER

Emerald ring after the setting was lowered for improved wearability

Emerald Ring Setting Adjustment


The center setting was lowered to make the ring more practical and comfortable to wear, while preserving the original design.

BEFORE

Damaged opal ring before remodelling into a pendant

AFTER

Opal pendant made from the remaining opal and original ring setting

Opal Ring to Pendant


After one opal in the original ring was broken, the remaining opal and original setting were repurposed into a pendant, giving the piece a new life.

Complete Remodelling

Some clients choose to completely re-imagine their jewellery.

Existing gold and gemstones can often be recycled into an entirely new design, preserving sentimental value while creating something that reflects their current style and story.

BEFORE

Family rings before diamonds were reused in a new three-stone ring

AFTER

Handmade three-stone ring using diamonds from family jewellery

Family Rings to Three-Stone Ring


Diamonds from a client’s mother’s and grandmother’s rings were brought together in a new handmade ring with personal family significance.

BEFORE

Outdated wedding ring set before remodelling

AFTER

Remodelled wedding ring using the original stones and metal

Wedding Set Transformation


An outdated wedding ring set was remodelled into a new ring, reusing the original stones and metal in a more refined design.

BEFORE

Dated diamond ring before remodelling

AFTER

Yellow gold diamond ring after remodelling into a softer design

Diamond Ring Remodel


A dated diamond ring was remodelled into a softer yellow gold design, giving the original diamond a cleaner, warmer setting.

BEFORE

Old gold jewellery before being recycled into a hinged bangle

AFTER

Handmade hinged bangle made from recycled gold

Recycled Gold Hinged Bangle


Recycled gold was transformed into a solid handmade hinged bangle, finished with a sprung mechanism for everyday wear

Why Remodel Jewellery?

Remodelling allows sentimental jewellery to be redesigned into something more wearable, while preserving meaning, materials or gemstones where possible.

  • Preserve sentimental gemstones

  • Reuse inherited jewellery

  • Modernise outdated designs

  • Combine multiple pieces into one

  • Create something you will actually wear

  • Retain the value of existing precious metals where suitable

Our Remodelling Process

  1. Share photos of your jewellery
    Send clear photos of the pieces you would like assessed.

  2. Assessment of materials
    We examine the jewellery to determine whether gemstones, components or precious metals may be reused or credited toward the new piece.

  3. Discuss design direction and budget
    We talk through what you want to preserve, change or completely reimagine.

  4. Design and quotation
    Matthew develops the design direction and provides a quotation before work begins.

  5. Approval and deposit
    Once the design and quote are approved, a deposit secures the project.

  6. Creation and completion
    The piece is made, finished and checked before collection or delivery.

A client-owned gemstone and suitable recycled gold being prepared for a new handmade setting.

Can my old gold be used in the new piece?

Not always.

Each piece is assessed individually. Larger, solid pieces such as bangles, pendants and simple bands can sometimes be fabricated using recycled gold from existing jewellery.

For more intricate designs, we may recommend freshly alloyed precious metal, as unknown alloys, previous repairs and solder joins can affect the strength, finish and reliability of detailed fabrication work.

Where direct reuse may compromise the finished piece, we may discuss purchasing the old gold at current metal value and applying the metal value toward freshly alloyed gold instead.

Our priority is creating the strongest, most reliable finished jewellery while preserving the sentimental value of the original piece wherever possible.

What Happens in the Workshop?

Depending on the design, stones may be carefully removed from the original pieces, settings may be rebuilt, and suitable gold may be melted, reformed or incorporated into the new jewellery.

Where direct reuse of the original gold may compromise strength, finish or detail, we may recommend applying the metal value toward freshly alloyed gold instead.

  • Stones are removed and assessed for reuse.

  • Settings may be repaired, replaced or remade.

  • Gold may be melted and reformed where suitable.

  • The new piece is made, set, finished and checked before collection.

Where suitable, existing gold may be melted and reformed as part of the remodelling process.

Have unworn, inherited or outdated jewellery?

Share photos of your jewellery with us and we can advise whether repair, remodelling or a new bespoke design is the best path.