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A guide to the cost of re-creating an item of jewellery.
How much does it cost to remake a ring in the UK?
The cost of re-making a ring (or re-modelling a ring) depends on the type of ring being re-made. In addition to the complexity of the ring design, the cost of the precious metal and gemstones have a great influence on price. Finally, we must also consider the best way to design and create the ring.
Here, we’ll focus on two types of jewellery—re-modelling or remaking an engagement ring and re-making a wedding ring. However, much of our information can be applied to re-creating any item of jewellery.
To elaborate, we’ve added another example—remaking an eternity ring with a short video clip of the final jewellery design.
Every bespoke item of jewellery passes through several stages of production. Firstly, consultation. Then, design, and finally, we create the jewellery design.
We understand the importance and sentimental value of each jewellery commission. For this reason, our team work tirelessly to faithfully re-create any item to meet our clients’ wishes.
Re-modelling a ring
But what is the difference between re-modelling and re-making a ring? Firstly, re-modelling involves changing elements of a jewellery design. For example, we may take an engagement ring and re-style ring to add a halo of diamonds around the main stone.
In contrast, re-making involves the creation of a new ring, often working with the precious metal and gemstones from the original ring.
Jewellery re-modelling makes up a large part of our weekly work. Not just for rings, but for all types of jewellery, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Can a jeweller replicate any design?
Jewellers can replicate a ring in any precious metal. For example, in Platinum, White Gold, Yellow Gold, or Rose Gold. 9-carat or 18-carat most often.
To accomplish this, we work with the original ring in hand. Conversely, If this is impossible, we work from an image of the ring.
Through a variety of techniques, including 3D scanning and CAD design, this is possible.
From badly damaged to brand new.
If you intend to have an item of existing jewellery, such as an engagement ring, re-made, we can re-use your existing gemstones. In addition, we can factor in the existing precious metal.
An example of a Palladium engagement ring is badly damaged. The new ring is shown on the right after a complete rebuild in the original design, which included re-setting the original diamond. The final cost of any such work is offset against the scrap metal of the original ring mount. Price guide $550 USD for the re-made ring, including setting and finishing.
Re-creating a badly made ring
Some rings are poorly made. For this reason, we receive many requests to recreate rings with the better build quality. One of our local clients commissioned a new ring based on their existing design. The original ring lacked precise symmetry, with irregularly spaced claws around each diamond.
We designed and crafted a brand new substantial ring and transferred the existing diamonds into the new ring mount.
The above image shows the before and after photographs with the original unset mount in the background.
Example: Re-making a bespoke Platinum engagement ring faithful to the original design
Guide to cost in 950 Platinum: £1300.00
We re-made the diamond engagement ring below for a client who experienced repeat issues with her engagement ring.
Purchased at auction some years ago, the ring’s construction caused the loss of diamonds from inadequate settings. As a result, we were commissioned to create a matching design with the improved build quality.
At the same time, the engagement ring had to match her diamond set wedding ring. Since we had previously crafted the wedding ring, we just needed to clean and re-finish this ring.
Step 1. CAD jewellery design
Beyond our initial discussions, part of our work involved computer-aided design as the first part of the design process.
Working alongside the wedding ring, we created a CAD design of the replacement engagement ring. Modelled for the existing diamonds, the new setting would accommodate our client’s diamonds perfectly.
Step 2. Making the new engagement ring
Once completed, our client was happy to sign off on the designs. Re-making a ring takes several weeks. As a result, the timescale worked out to around 5 weeks once the CAD design was approved.
Showing the finished re-made engagement ring alongside the original diamond wedding ring.
What if the old ring has broken or missing diamonds
If you are missing diamonds from your original engagement ring (or if you have broken diamonds), we provide a service to match and replace any diamonds lost. As a result, once re-made, your diamond ring appears as new with colour and clarity-matched diamonds.
Remaking a ring using bespoke design
Re-making any type of ring by bespoke design costs a little more. This is due to the additional work of designing and individually craft a new ring. Part of the process involves re-creating the ring using CAD design.
This intricate process makes a digital version of the ring. We retain the CAD model on file. Should your new ring be lost or damaged beyond repair, we can re-make the ring from the original model. As a result, we re-create a perfect replica ring design.
Showing incredible attention to detail worked into the ring design. Even the underside of the ring is given due consideration.
Offsetting the cost against a new ring
We can offset the cost by a little by factoring in the existing precious metal. This will reduce the overall cost slightly. We calculate the value of your existing metal from the gram weight multiplied by the scrap metal price once work has been completed on your ring.
Re-using old Gold or Platinum to make a new engagement ring
We are regularly asked to make engagement rings, wedding rings and jewellery using old Gold and Platinum. We offer this service using 100% of your existing precious metal for the new design. This often requires additional Gold or Platinum to be added as part of the process.
Changing your ring from Gold to Platinum
We regularly remake White and Yellow Gold rings in Platinum. We work with the original design and diamonds to transform the same ring into a new precious metal. Contact us for a personal quote on this service.
Pictured in the photograph below are two rings. On the right is the original yellow gold cluster ring after the removal of the diamonds. On the left, we photographed the re-modelled ring, made in 950 Platinum, set and finished with our client’s diamonds.
How much does it cost to melt down a ring to recast a new one?
Surprisingly, the process of melting down a ring to remake a new one is more expensive than when we create an item from new Gold or Platinum. The reason is twofold. Firstly, the item is isolated to ensure that the original metal is kept separate from other work. Secondly, the additional work to process and craft the original metal is more involved.
Adding coloured gemstones to brand-new ring designs
If you already have an existing coloured gemstone, why not add the gem to a brand-new ring design? Choose from existing ring styles, or let us CAD design the same or a new design to accommodate a very large gemstone. This service comes after many years of experience resetting coloured gems into rings.
Unique coloured gemstones added to new ring designs. From left to right: Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Opal, Fire Opal and Purple Spinel.
So why use old Gold or Platinum?
There is a very good reason for reusing old Gold or Platinum rather than offsetting the cost of the ring by selling the metal as part of the process. This reason is sentimental. If you have an heirloom ring or an item of intense sentimental value, this can be transformed into a new item.
Refashioning your engagement ring with a bigger diamond
For some clients, we re-create their original engagement ring with a much larger diamond size. It is very difficult to add a bigger diamond to an existing engagement ring.
Sometimes, we can add a new setting to hold a larger diamond. Over the years, many couples have looked towards buying a more expensive engagement ring when finances permit. This way, they retain the original ring design with a bigger diamond.
Our team now offer lab-grown diamonds as another choice alongside natural diamonds. Consequently, clients can upgrade to a much larger diamond for a similar cost to their original engagement ring.
Turning a promise ring into an engagement ring
Consider turning your pre-engagement, commitment or promise ring into an engagement ring. Either by design or by re-making the ring. Depending on the ring style, this could be a good way to transfer sentiment to your engagement ring.
Making a brand new ring with your own gemstone
We offer a complete re-modelling service. One of our most popular services helps clients with loose gemstone to create an incredible piece of jewellery. We model a brand new ring design to your diamond or gemstone to create an exceptional one-off piece of jewellery.
One of our most recent bespoke ring designs featuring our client’s 6 Carat Aquamarine, set into 950 Platinum. Price guide £1800, including all design, CAD modelling and creation through to the final ring.
Brand New – Starlight Moissanite now available
As durable as a diamond, with increased sparkle, Starlight Moissanite is now available at Serendipity Diamonds. Costing a fraction of the diamond, we are happy to re-make any of our ring designs with this new ethical diamond alternative.
Contact us for more details or find out more here.
Remaking a wedding ring
Wedding ring designs can be faithfully replicated—even those with intricate detail such as hand engravings. Badly worn wedding bands or heirloom rings can be re-made as new.
The cost will depend on the work involved and the materials. Gold rings can be re-made in 950 Platinum or another choice of precious metal. The following image shows a recent commission. Subtle detail, such as engraving on the outer edge, was faithfully re-created across the re-made wedding ring.
Revamping a diamond eternity ring
Recently, we re-created a White Gold diamond eternity ring in Platinum. In addition, our client needed a different finger size. In fact, the original ring no longer fit.
For this reason, we re-made the original ring. Seizing the opportunity to upgrade to naturally white Platinum, we remade the eternity ring. Our video below shows the original ring mount. In addition, we show the final Platinum eternity ring.
Restyling a complete ring set
Occasionally, we re-create complete ring sets. For example, in those instances where three rings fit together. In this situation, we can work with all of the rings in the set. Or, we can work with just one or two rings from the original set, provided we have some guidance on the original designs.
Reproduction of Antique ring designs
Another important service we offer is to re-create an original ring design. This often includes an upsizing and scaling of the original ring into a much larger design. In the following instance, we re-created an Opal and diamond antique ring, re-modelling this to include a (very hard-to-find) cabochon domed opal surrounded with large diamonds in a cluster.
The cost of this service depends entirely on the commission and the materials required to create the ring. Please contact us for guidance.
The original ring we worked with…
The completed re-production ring is made with a larger Opal and diamonds. Please note the incredible iridescence and colours within the large domed Opal. The surrounding diamonds are all exceptionally white to contrast with the intense colours from the Opal.
Recasting and reworking a personalised signet ring
One of our recent commissions involved remaking a personalised signet ring for a client. The original signet ring featured initials engraved onto the face of the gold signet ring.
Before and after photos of the re-made personalised signet ring.
Now married, our client’s initials had changed. For this reason, she contacted us to re-make the ring featuring the new surname initial. Our photograph shows the original ring (inset) alongside the brand-new ring.
Ring mountings and diamond settings
If you prefer to purchase an empty ring mounting or setting instead of a complete ring, we can help. We provide a complete service to purchase ring mountings and diamond settings for any gemstones. Find out more by reading our dedicated information page.
How to get further help – with remodelling jewellery near me?
If you require further help and guidance on remaking a ring or any item of jewellery, contact a member of our helpful team.
Don’t worry if you are not local to us. We work online, across the UK and overseas with clients. In addition, we provide optional inward insurance for any items sent into our showroom. Or, book an appointment to see us in person in our Ryde showroom.
We can assist and advise on all aspects of this work. Please leave at least 5-6 weeks for the process, owing to the time needed to discuss, design, re-model and craft your new ring.
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