Jewelry makers are reusing old diamonds and metal for bespoke pieces
19 posts across 2 communities in the last 30 days; 95% from r/jewelry.
“Looking for someone who makes their own birthstone rings. For context, I am wanting rings that are a subtle nod to Sailor Moon. Because of this, the color of the stones are VERY important to me. Even more so than the actual material of the stones. My problem looking so far has…”
“Went thrift shopping today and came across a place with tons of jewelry, so I took a look around. Most of it was costume but a few things stood out to me, because the stones had inclusions. Long story short ended up buying them. I went to inspect them with some wire cutters and…”
“Hello all! My fiance and I are strongly considering custom mokume gane rings from Mokumeganeya. Screenshot shows the specs we are considering for composition. Does anyone know anything about the durability of these rings? I do not want a huge stone. I want a band that will last…”
Several jewelry posts detail the process of redesigning existing jewelry, particularly antique rings with sentimental value. Jewelers are repurposing diamonds and metals from these older pieces to create new, asymmetrical designs that meet clients' specific requests.
SOURCES (37)
“Went thrift shopping today and came across a place with tons of jewelry, so I took a look around. Most of it was costume but a few things stood out to me, because the stones had inclusions. Long story short ended up buying them. I…”
“Hello all! My fiance and I are strongly considering custom mokume gane rings from Mokumeganeya. Screenshot shows the specs we are considering for composition. Does anyone know anything about the durability of these rings? I do not want a huge stone. I want a band that will last forever. I manage surgeries for a vet clinic and also powerlift. So my hands go through a lot. Do these hold up? Thanks in advance!!!!! submitted by /u/alexaskingaquestion [link] [comments]”
“All designs are handmade in my studio in Tel Aviv, Israel, from sterling silver and natural gemstones. I’m very much drawn to raw textures (such as concrete) and pieces that feel like small sculptures rather than traditional polished jewelry. Here’s a little collage of my recent work. Would love to hear what you all think :) submitted by /u/ShakaBrah36 [link] [comments]”
“Any jeweler out there who can make this exact necklace with silver top of gold? I can supply the diamonds and I want to get this necklace made. submitted by /u/WealthEducational973 [link] [comments]”
“It took several drafts and remelts, but I fabricated both our rings myself in 18k. The shanks were rolled on a vevor rolling mill. I soldered/brazed them together. Her mounts/trim were bought from stuller.com , and I placed them, and then mounted all 10 diamonds. Center stone is a 1.5 G vvs1 lab grown for about $450 from virtue diamonds It is about 5.5 dwt total of 18k yellow gold. Also from stuller, for about $680 total. I probably lost about 1dwt of gold in bad manufacturing technique. Support”
“I’ve loved these Sirciam Jewelry engagement rings. I was wondering if anyone knew of someone who makes rings similar to this organic, very water-like style. I want mixed metals and would prefer platinum and gold. It seems this company only works with golds. submitted by /u/generalkrimbus [link] [comments]”
“Beautiful brooch I just scooped. Nice, solid 14k construction so I was interested for potential scrap, but I think it’s handmade. The simple circular design is actually rather elegant, keeping the stones the center of attention. Also pleasantly surprised, slightly convinced these stones are natural based on varying colors, natural looking inclusions at 60x, and the varying UV fluorescence. Of course it’d need GIA testing to be absolutely certain but lots of signs pointing to natural stones. Even”
“My engagement ring is taking a while to manifest because I’m single as fuck but I really want one now 🤣 so we’re making myself one.. Do you guys think it’d look nice if I use a light pink sapphire stone? I want to stay true with the inspo but I am wondering if the ring would still look nice if I use a 1 carat or 1.5 carat pink sapphire because I have a small hand anyways (and cost efficient too!) Thanks much! submitted by /u/diwata_ [link] [comments]”
“2ct Australia sapphire in 18k yellow gold with natural diamonds. This may be my favourite creation this year! submitted by /u/BejewelledBunny [link] [comments]”
“I re-designed my Lotus flower ring and worked with Anabella at Tianyu for the semi-mount. She was so patient with me as I made many, many changes lolol. But I absolutely LOVE the final product!!! Lab blue marquise, 2.51 cts measuring 14.47x7.31x4.29. submitted by /u/Excellent-Ability569 [link] [comments]”
“18k yellow gold ring, Princess cut Rubies, and brilliant cut diamonds. All recycled gold and stones from the customer's sentimental jewellery submitted by /u/Mercury-Hg80 [link] [comments]”
“I gave a jeweler some silver jewelry I own that has sentimental value to me, so he could melt it down and make me a new handmade bismarck chain. Someone in another subreddit wrote me what you see in the pictures. Of course, I'm not trying to say anything bad about him; I appreciate him and the advice he gave me, I just want to know if it's true and if other people think the same way. So, is what he wrote to me correct? submitted by /u/Yojik101 [link] [comments]”
“3ct Ceylon Sapphire Heated , handmade (metal fabrication no CAD) entirely in 18ct Yellow Gold. submitted by /u/EdwardBrownJeweller [link] [comments]”
“Hey everyone, I am trying to make a bracelet with lab diamonds on it. Do you think it would be feasible to first make the front part from silver and then go to a jeweller to set the diamonds on it? I found some websites online that offer custom silver pendants. Would it make sense to first make it as a pendant and then go to add the studs and diamonds on it? Would greatly appreciate any tips/help! submitted by /u/AntBoss69 [link] [comments]”
“I have a peachy-pink and bluish-green bicolor tourmaline that I’m planning to make into a ring for my wife. I originally wanted a watermelon tourmaline, but good-quality stones with a clean, even color split are really hard to find. This was the closest I could get, and I personally think it’s very pretty. I asked ChatGPT to help with some ring designs and narrowed it down to two similar options, but I’m not sure which one works better, or if I should go in a different direction altogether. My w”
“Would it be possible to turn this engagement ring into a necklace with the same halo/setting for the stone? submitted by /u/Sir_Loin_13 [link] [comments]”
“Looking for someone who makes their own birthstone rings. For context, I am wanting rings that are a subtle nod to Sailor Moon. Because of this, the color of the stones are VERY important to me. Even more so than the actual material of the stones. My problem looking so far has been most sellers do not actually make the rings themselves and therefore cannot guarantee stone color or even offer a preview of the stones being used. I have looked at review photos for some shops, but those pics don’t s”
“gifted myself this ring on my birthday this year the sapphire was sourced from Sri Lanka it’s a certified 1.2 carat unheated pink sapphire which I then set into the bezel setting gold band. submitted by /u/Hopeful-Date4814 [link] [comments]”
“Here’s a necklace i gifted to one of my cousins for a wedding (she’s paired it with a sari in the last slide and looks so adorable!!). It was defo a tricky one to make but when i make necklaces i like to make them cohesive with the outfit so i used different shades of muted purple with the beads and gold hardware which wasn’t overly shiny! Ofc to show some appreciation to my bengali heritage i had to add a jhumka as the centre piece <3 submitted by /u/uh_sighh [link] [commen”
“Antique 1.46ct old European cut natural diamond engagement ring on a 14kt yellow gold band. Custom 7mm platinum men’s wedding band with 2mm calibre cut blue sapphire eternity surround. 18k yellow gold internal shank. 9 stone antique old mine cut natural diamond wedding band (2.5mm stones) on 18kt yellow gold band. submitted by /u/SpecialKay1a [link] [comments]”
“The ring in the picture isn’t what I’m working on but the ring I’m getting is same in design. I have a ring with a large void under the gem, between my finger. My idea is mixing blue glow in the dark powder with clear gorilla glue and filling the void under my ring. Ideally when it’s dark, a faint glow will come from the gemstone. The ring I’m working on is extremely cheap and I’ve filled voids in a ring before with this exact glue and I know that works out just fine but I want a outside opinion”
“This was a true collaboration between me and my clients! He wanted a big look, low profile, exposed culet, and sapphires in the cathedral. Why not?? 💎 We used his Old European cut diamond which he inherited from his grandma. Last slide is the progress of design. Happy Anniversary! Don’t forget to take off your rings before you do any heavy lifting! submitted by /u/Sufficient_Ocelot107 [link] [comments]”
“Would like to have these stones re-set into a more modern setting but have no idea where to begin. I would like to have some ideas before taking to the jewelers. Any recommendations? submitted by /u/Necessary_Ad_5593 [link] [comments]”
“I inherited my grandmas very pretty but quite large wedding ring and wondered how folks have reworked diamonds into non wedding rings? It has a pear shaped diamond that I’d love to have made into a ring I’d wear but don’t want it to look like a wedding ring. submitted by /u/TattooedToddlerTeach [link] [comments]”
“Hi there! I am just hoping for some inspiration on what to do with an engagement ring. That’s a one carat stone with some side stones. I would like to turn it into another ring that I can wear every day that is not an engagement ring style. Thank you! submitted by /u/MDpepe [link] [comments]”
“Wanted to share something I’ve been working on for the paste few months. My mom passed away a couple of years ago. She was an estate jeweler and left us some incredible jewelry. The style of her jewelry is not something that anyone in my family would wear - so I decided to do something about it. Her favorite ring was this 17ct Ceylon sapphire. I had the stones removed and designed a new ring for my wife. My sister took most of the remaining diamonds and made a necklace. Saved the last two and ma”
“My jeweler made this opal ring for me after finding this gorgeous 6.5 carat Australian Crystal opal. He set it with a .52 carat diamond halo and in an 18k gold setting. submitted by /u/Mastiiffmom [link] [comments]”
“Wanted to share a recent 3D jewelry concept I’ve been working on. It’s a vintage-inspired ornamental brooch with mixed-metal filigree details, rope chains, and lapis lazuli / turquoise accents. I also modeled the pin mechanism on the back to make sure it’s structurally feasible for future casting and assembly. Details: - Type: Brooch / Ornamental Pendant - Style: Vintage / Filigree / Historical Inspiration - Materials (Intended): Aged Silver, Gold, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise Would love to hear your”
“Always enjoyable for us to play around with different shapes and contrasting gemstones combinations. We created this ring with a lush green rectangular step cut Tsavorite and a pear diamond. diamond submitted by /u/Careems_Jewellers [link] [comments]”
“We got chatting about an antique ring with loads of sentimental value and a sapphire they’d bought together. I ended up redesigning everything into this asymmetrical piece, keeping the sapphire at the centre and reusing the original diamonds and metal. It’s a bit unusual, but I love how it came together. submitted by /u/EthicaDiamonds [link] [comments]”