Remodel - Recycling Precious Metals and Gemstones

Remodelling Your Old Precious Metals and Gemstones – What To Know

At Second Empire Jewellers, we love transforming your old pieces into something new and meaningful. This not only continues your personal story but can also help offset the cost of using entirely new metals and gemstones.

However, not every existing piece is suitable for remodelling, so it is important to understand the considerations and risks before you begin. Working with old materials and stones can be a complex and sometimes unpredictable process, which is why many jewellers choose not to offer this service. 

Below are some key things to keep in mind when recycling precious metals and gemstones.

Precious Metals

Our process

• We will conduct an acid test or XRF test on any gold left with us.
• Usable metals will be sorted by carat and refined; metals deemed unsuitable will be returned to you.
• We then melt down the metal and proceed cautiously, as issues can still arise with reused metal.
• Precious metals can sometimes be incorrectly hallmarked or contain alloys that make it difficult to work with; in these cases, fresh metal may be required.
• We are happy to use yellow and rose Gold (in all carats). Platinum can also be used, depending on the original piece. Typically, we try to steer clear from remodelling with White Gold and Sterling Silver.

What happens to unused or unusable metal?

• Any unused or unusable metal is weighed and valued as scrap, and this value can be credited against the final balance of your new piece.
• If we are unable, or choose not to use this metal as scrap value, we will refer you to a gold buyer who can purchase it directly from you.

Gemstones

Our process and key risks

• Occasionally, a stone may not be what it appears. If there is any uncertainty about a gemstone, we will arrange for it to be tested and inform you of the diagnosis.
• Over time, gemstones can show signs of wear. While this is part of their story, it may be something you wish to refresh. We work with skilled gem cutters (lapidarists) who can help restore a stone’s original sparkle where possible.
• Stones can sometimes become scratched or break when removed from their existing setting. This may be due to a hidden fracture or weak point that was not visible beforehand. If this occurs, we will inform you as soon as possible and discuss alternative options.
  
  

Broken or unused stones

• Any unused stones will be returned to you, and you are welcome to use them in future projects.
• A broken gemstone may be suitable for re-cutting if it is large enough. The re-cut stone will be smaller than the original, but it can look almost new while still retaining its sentimental value. If we believe a stone is too small to re-cut, we will return it and you can decide how you would like to proceed.
• While reusing old stones is often wonderful, some are not ideal for remodelling. For example, glass–fracture filled rubies or softer stones such as emeralds and opals can be more vulnerable. We will discuss what we believe is the best approach for these stones.
• If we feel a particular stone would be better suited to a different design or project, we will let you know during your initial consultation or as the design progresses.
  
  

Reusing precious metals and gemstones always carries some degree of risk.
If anything unexpected occurs during the process, we will notify you as soon as possible. Please note that we are unable to cover the cost of new metal or replace a damaged gemstone.