How to start having a custom ring made from old gold

[aliceyyyy2654]

Hi!

I am a jewellery lover and collect gold jewellery and gemstone pieces. I have mostly vintage jewellery and a few modern pieces.

I am looking to get a ring custom made using some of the gold pieces I already have to melt down into a ring.

I have no idea how to start! There’s a fantastic independent jeweller in my town which I have used to resize and reset some pieces before.

id like to get a loose gemstone to add to the ring but again have no idea where to start!

can any fellow jewellery lovers tell me how they went about custom jewellery making? Buying loose gemstones?

bonus points if you show me your shiny goods!! 😁

Ask the jeweller…?

Ask the jewelller!

I just had a ring made, and the jeweller started with shapes and templates which were then used as a starting point. They sourced the gems but I’m sure if you wanted to buy one that would be fine.
a fairly simple ring cost £800 but that was all new materials (18c gold)

I asked to have this done but the jeweller said they don’t like to melt down old jewellery as they can’t guarantee purity/flow. I just sold them my gold and “bought” new….fine unless of sentimental value, I suppose (mine was, a bit, but wanted that maker to do the work, so compromised…)

I have three jewellers workshops near me. I have used 2 of them. They make jewellery on the premises. They design everything and explain the process in their web sites. Anyone offering bespoke jewellery design and making services will say this on their web site. I’d shy away from jewellers who sub the work out or use off the shelf designs. I know of several other bespoke jewellers not near me!

The other option is visit the Desire and Goldsmithing fairs or the Goldsmiths fair in London. All have numerous jewellery makers attending and you might find one near you from their attendance lists. I’m fairly certain they are on line.

I think 18 ct yellow gold is ok to reuse but white gold is plated so might be ok too. 9ct is dubious.

I’ve had the same ring reworked twice. The first time the jeweller didn’t listen to what I wanted and took a whole year to complete the commission. The result was he gave me £200 of. Of the price because it took him so long.

I took the same ring to a bespoke jeweller who only really made commissions. He wife listened to what I wanted then made a new appointment for me the following week. She asked me to look online and rings and designs that I liked, screenshot them, then show them to her. She then went on to design a ring that was perfect, she told me what was and wasn’t possible. I really love Brutalist design rings so this was my choice. I didn’t want something too ‘out there’ as I wanted to wear it every day.

The whole process took about two months and I was delighted with the outcome.

Beautiful ring .

Find someone whose work you like and go from there

I have just done this with 2 9ct rings and made a signet ring, the jeweler designed the ring based on my daughter’s idea. Just find someone you like and who will work with what you want.

Thank you to those who posted helpful replies and experiences! :)

That’s gorgeous and so unique