Transforming heirloom gold into a stunning new bangle – reworking Sharon’s unworn jewels
There’s something incredibly meaningful about reworking existing jewellery. Often pieces sit in drawers unworn for years. Not because they lack value but because they no longer reflect your style or lifestyle. This was exactly the case for Sharon.
Sharon came to me via my lovely stockists Element Jewellery in Hebden Bridge. She had a plain gold bangle that had sentimental value but wasn’t getting enough wear. While deeply sentimental, its understated design no longer reflected her evolving style. Rather than leaving it tucked away in her jewellery box, she decided she wanted to transform it into something she will wear every day and cherish for a long time
The Design Phase
Sharon had been admiring my Orno open cuff bangle in the gallery and thought it would look stunning in gold. She also owned an unworn gold ring set with 7 diamonds. When she mentioned this, it was clear, we needed to make the cuff bangle and add those 7 diamonds. In addition to her own diamonds we carefully selected another set of 7 diamonds to incorporate into the design, introducing brilliance and more contrast to my signature style bangle. The placement of the diamonds was intentionally done to flow with the texture of the bangle, allowing the two materials for compliment each other.
The making process
I carefully removed the diamonds from their original settings and cleaned them to restore their sparkle. I send Sharon’s heirloom gold to my trusted casting company to cast the bangle in her own metal. They send me a few pictures for a rarely seem glimpse behind the scenes. When I received the bangle back, I was so excited to clean it up, polish and sandblast it. Once finished we carefully grain set the diamonds into the texture to complement the tactility of the bangle.
A contemporary heirloom
The finished bangle is such a stunner, I was so sad to see it leave the studio, as I would have loved to keep it for myself. Equally, I was super excited for Sharon to finally see it. The textured gold catches the light in a very subtle and refined way, creating movement and richness across the piece. The additional diamonds just give it that extra bit of sparkle, I couldn’t have been happier!
What was once an unworn piece has now become a signature item within my Sharon’s jewellery collection. Something luxurious enough for special occasions, yet wearable enough for every day.
Most importantly, the emotional connection to the original piece remains intact. The gold itself still carries its history, now elevated through bespoke craftsmanship into a contemporary heirloom designed to be worn, loved, and eventually passed on again.
Jewellery remodelling offers a rare opportunity to create something deeply personal: a piece with both provenance and individuality.
Considering a bespoke heirloom gold remodelling yourself?
Unworn gold jewellery often holds far more potential than people realise. Through thoughtful redesign and expert craftsmanship, inherited or outdated pieces can be transformed into bespoke heirloom gold jewellery that feels entirely new while retaining its sentimental value.
From textured finishes and diamond setting to complete bespoke redesigns, remodelling allows precious materials and memories to continue their story in a more wearable, refined form.
If you have pieces that have been sitting in your jewellery box for too long, get in touch. I will work closely with you to understand the story behind your piece, combining careful craftsmanship with contemporary design.
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