Commissioning a necklace

[Ragamuffin8]

Hi all,

Hoping someone can advise. I have a 36 inch gold necklace with black beads that I love and wear daily. See pic below. It’s starting to turn green.

So I’d like to have a 9ct gold version made reusing the beads (I can’t afford gemstones).

A Hatton Garden quote said it would be 5K plus. 🤯

My budget is £500-£1K. I’m in London. Is there somewhere reputable and reasonably priced where I can get this done? I don’t trust Etsy after a bad experience.

Is this impossible for my budget? You can buy 18 inch plain gold chains for £50+, but 36 inch ones which have double the gold seem to be £1.5K!

I’m not looking for anything fancy, just a version of this necklace that I can wear for 40 years+.

Grateful for any advice :)

It might be cheaper to find a jewellery making course and DIY!
How about a visit to the jewellery quarter in Birmingham?

Instead of a solid gold chain how about using gold filled chain. It's cheaper but the coating of gold is much thicker than plated and will last a long time.

Can you post a couple of close up photos of the beaded part of the necklace and the chain section?

The cost of the gold is one price, then you're asking them to make the entire metal chain by hand, from scratch. That's hugely labour intensive work and you're paying a skilled jeweller to make it.

If what you actually want is someone to take a machine made chain, chop it up and attach the beads in between each of the sections, it'll still be labour intensive but much cheaper.

If what you want is the beads slotted onto an existing chain, that's a wholly separate story.

Maybe speak to a local jeweller or someone who teaches jewelry classes and get some advice on what you're actually asking for. They may also be able to make it for you.

@purplehue now with close up

@Chewbecca I’d happily go to Birmingham, does anyone have recommendations for jewellers there?

@purplehue how long would gold filled last? Also, where would I find a reputable jeweller to make it?

@ButtSurgery I don’t have fixed ideas on how it’s made, just looking to have something that looks similar (doesn’t even have to be same), as my existing one. Basically a long gold chain with black beads/gems.

Thanks all for comments, I’ll definitely speak to a local jeweller.

If you are looking for just a black beads chain that doesn't tarnish I have purchased Bohomoon black bead necklace and it's much cheaper . If you want a long one you can purchase two of them and join them.

If you Google Lens search the second photo you put up, lots of similar jewellery comes up including:

https://www.margotandmila.com/product-page/onyx-choker - it's silver underneath, then gold plated. Maybe an option?

Have a look at the options, many are tat (Shein etc) but others may suit!

I've never actually bought gold filled jewellery as I usually wear silver.

www.cooksongold.com/blog/buying-guide/gold-filled-jewellery/

Thanks for the second photo. The beads are wire wrapped and quite time consuming. It would be great project if you would like to start a new hobby.

I wonder if you could get it gold plated? I know here you can have the rhodium ring plating for £20.
Or purchase the plating kits and do it yourself every x amount of years.

Go to the jewellery quarter in Birmingham. There are plenty of jewellers there to choose from there isn't a specific one I'd say you have to go to. Look out for the smaller ones where you have to ring a bell and go up the stairs to jewellery making workshops rather than the engagement ring ones. Somewhere like Malcom's on warstone lane but honestly there are plenty.

You won’t get a hand made gold necklace for £500-1000. It’s completely impossible. Neither would you get a solid gold one with beads. That’s just not sensible. Why not look for plated gold or buy a Chanel one? They are faux but at least increase in value. Spending money on gold, the work and the effort just is not possible on your budget. Sorry, I would have a big rethink.

It's a lot of work, hence the price. I think you'd be better off finding something similar in gold, and keeping your necklace as it is.

Thanks all - I’ll try doing a Google Lens search for something similar, then try Birmingham Jewellery quarter before I give up the dream & go down the plated/filled route. Or who knows, I might take a jewellery making class as suggested… 😁

https://www.mayabrenner.co.uk/products/the-thistle-bouquet-necklace?variant=40006910050371&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SB-AP-PMax-FeedOnly&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjBy8xYWWW7yb-666FuD6OoY-dvf6jwzw0yzaGzgxJzNwu-2HQvsOyRoCEncQAvD_BwE

https://www.very.co.uk/ernest-jones-9ct-two-tone-diamond-cut-station-chain/1600979460.prd?cm_mmc=google--PLA+-+Generic---_-__&utm_campaign=Generic_Fashion+Clothing+%26+Footwear+-+Womens+-+PMAX+-+Catch+All&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=&campaigntype=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjEvbIvZNAgHOdDjE5LzL6QhPnyOU5phQVlkPWlBckx01H_xijKL1KxoC744QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#sku=sku27431921

Some ideas!

I would recommend a jewellery making class anyway. With the right tools and some practice you will be surprised how many skills you will pick up quickly. You might feel able to replicate your necklace as a project which could be really satisfying and good fun

Most of the beads look like they are linked together by wrapped loops. For that you need gold wire and pliers. It's time consuming hence the price.

Go to Etsy. Find items like yours.
Email them with photos and requests (don't mention £5k whatever you do, although say you will pay well).
Good luck - £5k is 'I saw you coming' London money.

If you're not aged 40+ you might not recognise this, but bear it in mind 😂

That Maya Brenner necklace looks like a bargain for what it is, @ButtSurgery.

try Allen Brown at Allen Brown Gallery just outside Lichfield https://www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk/. He does lots of commissions & is very competitively priced. I have recommended him to several people who have been very happy with his work. He will be happy to discuss what you’re looking for.

www.followthecult.com/products/hand-on-heart-semi-precious-stone-chain this necklace is similar if you don't like the pendant I'm sure she would make you one without