Remodelling Old Jewellery: How It Works, Costs and What to Expect
Have you got any jewellery that doesn’t see the light of day? You don’t wear it, but you can’t part with it either.
Sometimes it’s inherited. Sometimes it’s from a past chapter. Sometimes it’s simply not you anymore. But the story still matters.
That’s where remodelling comes in. I can take your existing jewellery - old gold, sentimental gemstones, odd single earrings or earring backs, a broken chain - and turn it into a new piece you’ll actually wear, while keeping the sentiment intact.
This is a fully bespoke service, and I make everything myself here in my North Berwick studio.
What is jewellery remodelling?
Remodelling is exactly what it sounds like: taking old jewellery and transforming it into something new.
Depending on the ingredients, I can:
melt down your metal and make a new ring from it
remove and reset heirloom stones into a fresh design
combine old and new metal if you don’t quite have enough
rework your materials into my coastline or mountain styles, or something similar
It’s not a “one size fits all” service - every remodel starts with your pieces and what you want them to become.
Step-by-step: the remodelling process
1) Email enquiry
The easiest way to start is to email me with a few photos of what you have, plus what you’re thinking.
Helpful info includes:
what the pieces are (ring, earrings, pendant, cufflinks etc.)
if you know the carat of the metal (but don’t worry if you don’t)
what gemstones you have (if known)
what type of design you would prefer
your ring size, if you know it
If you’re not sure what we can and can’t use, send it anyway. Even odd bits and pieces can help make up the metal weight. Unfortunately fine chains are generally not suitable for remodelling due to them being made up of so much solder, but I can generally use chunkier chains.
2) Design direction and a guideline quote
Once I’ve seen what you have and what you’re aiming for, I’ll talk you through what’s possible and give a guideline quote.
If you’re choosing a coastline or mountain ring, I’ll send mock-up maps so we can get the outline just right before anything begins.
3) GAUGING YOUR ring size (this bit IS IMPORTANT)
For a coastline or mountain ring, sizing is really important. These designs can’t be resized once finished, so I’ll help you get it right from the start.
I can send a plastic ring sizer
if there’s any uncertainty, I can post out silver sample rings so you can double-check
For a plain band (with or without stones), I’ll make the ring and send it to you at the halfway point for a size test. Adjustments can be made before final finishing and stone setting.
4) Sending your jewellery in for assessment
Once you’re happy with the plan, you post your heirloom pieces to me for assessment.
I’ll:
check hallmarks
assess the metal quality and purity
look at the condition of the stones and how they’re set
If any metal isn’t hallmarked, I can arrange testing. This costs £10 per piece plus postage to and from the tester.
5) The point of no return (and why I’m very clear about it)
Before I start dismantling anything, I’ll ask you to read my terms and sign a disclaimer.
Once stone claws are cut and stones are removed, your original jewellery can’t be put back together. I want you to feel completely confident before we cross that line.
6) Stone removal, weighing and planning the build
Once stones are removed, I can:
weigh your metal properly
measure your gemstones
decide the best setting method
I offer two main setting styles:
Flush setting for small stones
Bezel setting for larger stones
If your remodel includes stones, I’ll send photos and short videos of layout options so you can choose the arrangement you like best.
7) Making the new ring
This is where the bench work begins.
For coastline and mountain rings, I create your exact design in silver first as a “master”. From there, moulds are made and the final ring is cast using your melted metal.
There’s a lot of careful making and finishing involved, and it takes time.
A note on metal quantity (the bit people don’t expect)
One of the biggest surprises in remodelling is how much metal you actually need.
We always need more metal than the final ring weight because:
impurities burn off
solder from older jewellery is removed
and casting requires extra metal (a sprue and casting button), which can be up to around 10g
Any extra metal you provide is returned at the end (usually as a little “blob”). If you don’t have extra, we can “hire” the additional metal needed for casting from the casting company just for the spue and casting button.
How much does jewellery remodelling cost?
Every remodel is different, but here’s a guide when using your own metal and gemstones:
Plain band - From £500
Coastline or Mountain ring remodel - From £1,000
Flush setting (heirloom stones) - From £40 per stone
Bezel setting - From £100–£350 per stone (depending on size, shape and metal)
Existing stone removal - Free / £50 / £100 depending on complexity
If additional metal is required, or you’d like to add new diamonds or gemstones, this will be quoted separately.
For a personalised quote, get in touch and I’ll talk you through options.
*These are my prices in March 2026, due to rising costs in metals, these prices are subject to change.
How long does remodelling take?
I estimate 3–6 months for most remodels.
When I’m at full capacity, please allow 6–12 months. We can discuss make times beforehand.
Using heirloom stones: what you need to know
I take the utmost care with heirloom stones, but older gemstones can have hidden chips or internal flaws that only show up during removal or setting.
That means I can’t take responsibility for damage to stones that weren’t supplied by me.
Other potential issues can include:
stones crumbling during removal
misidentification of stones
uncertainty around metal purity (especially with older pieces or inaccurate hallmarks)
I’ll always flag anything I’m concerned about before we proceed.
Want to remodel your jewellery?
If you’d like to talk through your ideas, email me at hannahlouiselamb@yahoo.co.uk, or you can find out more on our remodelling page here.
If you can, include a few photos of the jewellery you’d like to remodel and let me know what you’re imagining - whether that’s a coastline or mountain ring, or a simple band with a couple of heirloom stones.
I’d love to help you bring it back to life.
Hannah x