Transforming old sentimental gold jewellery in to new treasured heirlooms

I’ve had quite a few commissions recently where I’ve been trusted to turn old, unworn pieces of gold jewellery in to completely new designs.

These are always a little nerve wracking but really satisfying to forge! Often pieces are sentimental and inherited but are not something the customer would ever wear. Sometimes they’re broken so can’t be worn. I get to give them a new lease of life.

Pieces are checked over and taken apart, anything that might cause issues when melting like clasps or stones are removed before I melt it all down. The molten metal is poured from the crucible to an ingot mould creating a new useable nugget. Sometimes if I haven’t got enough original metal to use, or the gold is old with a lot of solder in it, I’ll add some fresh to the mix. This makes sure I’ve got enough metal to make the new design and helps with the next stage, rolling!

My trusty rolling mill, Betty, helps squash the ingot in to wire or sheet ready for me to use and forge something new. Then I work the metal like I would for any other design. It gets sawn, filed, shaped and polished. Sometimes if the new piece is gold and above a certain weight it will need to get sent for hallmarking too.

I feel so honoured that people trust me to make these precious pieces for them. It’s an beautiful way to transform something unworn but sentimental in to a new piece that can be treasured.

I thought I’d share a few examples of the favourite pieces I’ve made recently. All made with recycled gold and diamonds.