Our client's remodel was based on an existing ring that featured a 9.57 x 6.93mm Tanzanite elongated cushion cut gemstone. 

The tanzanite we worked with was top-quality and exhibited a beautiful vivid violet/blue, reminiscent of a fine sapphire, but with a violet hue. The hue of the stone appears on the purple side due to the cutting process of this particular stone.

Under cooler lighting, such as daylight or fluorescent light, the blue tones of the  tanzanite are more pronounced. In warmer lighting, like incandescent light, the stone tends to appear more violet to purple.

Before Image 

After Image

The Why

Our client no longer wore the ring she was given to her husband because the setting was too ostentatious for everyday wear. We set out on a journey to remodel our lovely client's ring to ultimately reset the stone and breathe new life into a once loved ring. Remodelling allowed our client to preserve the sentimental value of the original piece while creating something fresh and more in line with her current style. 

How long does the remodel process take? 

Here at Morgan & Co Jewellery we take as long as necessary to make sure that our clients are one hundred percent happy with their design before we go to manufacture.

Our typical turnaround time for resetting or custom jewellery projects is around 6-8 weeks. However, this can vary depending on the specific requirements of each job. If additional stones or diamonds need to be sourced, or if your gemstones need to be re-cut, we may require a little more time to ensure everything is done to perfection. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and work with you to meet any specific deadlines where possible.

The time frame for this project took ten weeks. We had three separate consultations with our clients, the first consultation focused on a around the table discussion about the origin of the ring, the clients expectations and inspiration. Here at Morgan & Co we love the stories behind each piece of jewellery that comes in for remodelling. We draw inspiration for the new design by incorporating our clients' memories, lifestyle and fashion sense into their new design.

The second consultation focuses on presenting the preliminary drawings to our clients for review. Any design adjustments are discussed and documented. At this stage, we confirm the gold colour for the ring; in this instance, the client selected 18ct yellow gold. Finalising the setting style is crucial, and the client opted to position the tanzanite stone east to west in a sleek half-bezel setting, offering a modern and stylish approach.

The last consultation we had with our client was to present the final drawings and CAD. The CAD is a computerised drawing that lists the size of the ring, the depth and width of the band, the height of the setting and any other elements that was discussed in the second consultation. Once all aspects of the ring were finalised by the client the manufacturing process began.  

Client's gold 

Morgan & Co can repurpose your gold in certain circumstances. However, melting different metals together can indeed be problematic, especially when it comes to jewellery made from alloys like 18 carat gold as was the case with this remodel. In an 18 carat gold ring, the gold is 75% pure, with the remaining 25% composed of various other metals to enhance durability. This blend of metals is called an alloy, and the specific mix of additional metals can vary greatly, meaning that each gold alloy is unique.

The challenge arises when you don't know the exact composition of the alloy. Even if the ring comes from the same company, they may no longer use the same alloy mixture. There are thousands of gold alloys in existence, and mixing different alloys can lead to issues. For example, combining two alloys might result in the metal becoming softer, more brittle, or prone to cracking.

Another factor is that you may not know if the ring has already been melted down and remade from other recycled rings, adding even more variability to the metal's composition. These uncertainties make it risky to melt down gold jewellery for reuse, as doing so could weaken the metal or alter its properties in unintended ways.

In short, the process of melting different alloys together can compromise the strength, structure, or appearance of the resulting metal, making it less reliable for new jewellery. In this case we did not change it, we used  new gold for this design. 

The cost of remodelling

At Morgan & Co, we are experts in remodelling and this beautiful process is a core part of our business. Time and time again, we see our clients are surprised at the cost of remodelling. 

Remodelling an engagement ring or any piece of jewellery is not cheap due to several factors, including gold prices, design complexity, and setting costs. Here’s a breakdown of why remodelling tends to be a significant investment —

Gold Price 

While the price of gold is one element, it’s not the sole reason for the cost. Gold is valuable and prices fluctuate based on market conditions. In a remodelling project, gold may be reused or new gold may be required, depending on the nature of the changes. 

Design and labour costs

Design and labour costs play a significant role in remodelling old and preloved jewellery, reflecting the craftsmanship and expertise required to bring a vision to life. Each piece is unique, and creating a new design often involves reimagining and reshaping an existing structure, which demands a meticulous approach. From the initial consultations and detailed sketches to the creation of CAD designs, every step is tailored to ensure the final piece aligns with the client's vision. Skilled jewellers invest time and precision in handcrafting the new design, carefully resetting stones, adjusting metalwork, and ensuring the structural integrity of the finished piece. This intricate process not only preserves the sentimental value of heirloom jewellery but also transforms it into a bespoke treasure, justifying the investment in time, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Customisation and Design Expertise

Remodelling involves more than just tweaking an existing design. Our skilled  jewelleers must evaluate the current piece, discuss your vision, and create a new design that meets your expectations. This process takes time, creativity, and expertise. Depending on the complexity of the design, it may require the jeweller to essentially rebuild the piece, which is why starting costs can be high.

Craftsmanship

Jewellery making is a highly skilled art that requires precise and intricate work. Whether it’s remaking a ring from scratch or reworking an existing piece, jewellers need to carefully reshape, resize, and solder metals, set stones, and ensure the structural integrity of the new piece. This level of craftsmanship demands both time and expertise, which is reflected in the price.

Handwork vs. Machine Work

In many cases, remodelling involves handwork rather than machine work, making the process more labor-intensive. Hand-setting stones, adjusting prongs, and fine-tuning the design often require hours of skilled labor.

Stone Setting and Handling

Removing and Resetting Stones — One of the most delicate parts of remodelling is removing and resetting gemstones, particularly diamonds and other precious stones. This process requires extreme care to avoid damaging the stones. Stones may need to be cleaned, recut, or re-polished during the remodelling process, which adds to the cost.

Stone Matching — If additional gemstones are needed, sourcing stones that match the existing ones in colour, clarity, and size can be a time-consuming and costly process.

Precision and Durability

Remodelling a ring isn’t just about aesthetic changes. We must also ensure that the final piece is structurally sound and durable enough for daily wear. This means inspecting and reinforcing the prongs, shank, and other components to avoid issues like gemstone loss or band weakness. Achieving both beauty and durability requires detailed, precise work, which drives up the overall cost.

In summary, remodelling involves a combination of factors such as material costs, design labor, expert craftsmanship, stone handling, and ensuring the durability of the piece. These elements together explain why remodelling is not a cheap process but rather an investment in creating a personalised, high-quality piece of jewellery that you can cherish for years to come.

Why Morgan & Co For remodelling your precious pieces? 

At Morgan & Co, we understand the sentimental value and emotional connection tied to your precious pieces. That’s why we take a deeply personal approach to remodelling jewellery, treating each item as a cherished story waiting to be reimagined. With our expertise in bespoke design, meticulous craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to quality, we ensure that every remodel not only enhances the beauty of your piece but also preserves its meaningful essence. Our collaborative process, from consultations to final design, prioritizes your vision and lifestyle, creating jewellery that feels truly yours. With our expert remodelling team at Morgan & Co, you can trust that your heirlooms are in the hands of skilled artisans who will transform them into modern masterpieces, ready to be treasured for generations to come.

Book your Sunshine Coast Remodelling Consultation to chat with our team about bringing new life into your old pieces. 

View our before and after remodel pieces here. 

With Love,
Laura xo