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| Ring designed to include inherited opals |
We all own a cherished piece of jewellery that has broken; was a gift that never quite fitted or suited; was passed down from a different fashion era; or have disasterously lost one of a favourite pair of earrings... Sometimes there's even something we've kept safe for years with the intention of having it made into a piece of jewellery - one day!
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| My reconstruction is the silver leaf on the right |
I regularly work with all of these scenarios, and more, to repair, redesign or remodel those precious items. I'm a dab hand at recreating a matching earring, turning a few of grandma's loose beads into a piece to wear, or remaking an old-fashioned ring into a modern one. My only proviso is that, as I work with precious metals ie silver or gold, your repair will usually be in one of those metals, even if your item is a base metal.
My prices start at £15 for a basic repair in silver like a replacement bail on a pendant, chain lengthening, or adding a safety chain. The price depends on the price of the metal at that time, the complexity of the work, and the unknown quality of the existing item for example the fragility of an antique pendant, the need to remove and replace stones to resize a ring, or that the price of a particular matching stone has gone up over the decades.
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| A flip-over safety catch and post created for additional security on a 'honeymoon' bracelet |
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| A 'Galaxy' brooch created using links and bar from a fragile identity bracelet |
I love hearing the story behind a piece of jewellery. I respect its history and any sentimental value and take good care of it while it's in my custody. I only work on jewellery that I feel confident that I can repair or remodel, and will give you an honest opinion as to whether it is something that I can do or if I think you should take it to a specialist in that type of work. I always give a maximum price for the work before I start on it but, occasionally, complications can arise during the process and if it takes me a lot longer or is more difficult to do than anticipated I will have to charge extra for that. I will always let you know if that happens and give you different options, and ask you what you would prefer to do.
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| My reconstructed earrings are the ones on the Right |
I am also happy to take special requests into consideration. For the three pairs of earrings in the photograph above I was asked to make a matching one to replace each lost one, but to leave the smell and patina on the originals as it brought the owner closer to her memories of living in India. I created a created a patina on the new earrings, and also polished them with a spot of rose and patchouli oil, so that they would match the originals as closely as possible!
