If you’ve been here for a while you may have gathered that alongside creating pieces for my core collections and bespoke commissions, I also love taking on repurposing projects.
What does she mean by that, I hear you cry?! Let me explain.
Repurposing, or remodelling as some might call it, means using a client’s existing jewellery, whether that’s the gold, or the gems, or both, and transforming those materials into a brand new piece. For example I recently worked on a showstopping ring featuring my clients beautiful aquamarine and diamonds (below) and cast from some of her old broken jewellery.
Find out what these became here...
Why repurpose?
There are so many reasons people may find themselves with jewellery that is unworn, unloved or that no longer appeals. Maybe you’ve inherited or been gifted some jewellery by a loved one, it may be extremely precious and sentimental but if it’s not to your taste you simply don’t wear it. Sometimes your taste evolves and over time you become more attuned to what you really love, jewellery-wise. Perhaps circumstances have changed and the piece no longer has a positive association. Whatever the situation, it is a real shame for precious materials to gather dust. This is where repurposing comes in. 
This pile of my clients unworn jewellery is currently being transformed into a bespoke necklace - watch this space for updates...
Powerful move
I believe that using existing materials to create new jewellery that reflects where you are right now and instilling new meaning into it is a very powerful action. Breathing new life into discarded jewels that will be worn and truly loved is also a deeply satisfying process for myself and my clients. Not to mention, environmentally sound. 
Some diamond earrings being created using diamonds from my clients mothers engagement ring...
The process
The process of repurposing jewellery is always collaborative. I listen to a client’s thoughts, needs and ideas, and either using a piece from my collections, customising a design or creating a bespoke piece, we bring their vision to life - always in my aesthetic.
Repurposing stories
I want to share three repurposing stories. Each has a different motivation, all have a happy ending.
Patsy’s story
When Patsy approached me with two rings that no longer served her, I knew we could transform them into something she loved, imbued with a positive meaning. We set about melting the gold, and using the diamonds to create a dreamy new stack. By redefining her rings, Patsy claimed her jewellery back for herself, the ultimate power move. I love her story. Read all about it here.
Varsha’s ring
Jewellery fan Varsha was given a ruby ring by her grandmother as a child. It was extremely precious to her but didn’t reflect her style, and so it remained unworn for over a decade. Varsha is very attuned to her jewellery style; structural, geometric with a hint of art Deco. She had fallen in love with a couple of Jo’s designs, but needed some expert advice about whether they could be customised to her exact vision, using the gold and ruby from her ring. This is a really gorgeous story, it was a pleasure to work with Varsha to realise her dream. Read the full story and see what I created for Varsha here.
Nina & Rembrandt’s wedding rings
When beekeepers Nina and Rembrandt got engaged, they were fortunate enough to be given pieces of gold jewellery by their parents and grandparents. Although the gold had sentimental value, the jewellery was not to their taste, so they decided to melt it down to create wedding bands for themselves. Fast forward 12 years, and their taste had evolved. Those plain bands no longer felt very ‘them’, and so they decided to look for a designer to remodel them.
I love how Nina and Rembrandt took proactive steps to ensure their jewellery reflects who they are, at different stages of their lives. See what I created for them and read the full story here.
To find out more about how we can repurpose check out our helpful FAQ's here.
You can read more of our repurposing stories here.
The casts for a big birthday ring stack which we created with my clients family gold - read the full story here.