Creative Ways to Repurpose Vintage Metal Jewellery

Deepak Yadav 08 September, 2022

Do you have any bed trunks in your house which are packed with boxes of old wedding jewels you rarely wear? Or, are there any ceiling shelves in your cupboards which are filled with parts of broken costume jewellery merely catching dust? Have you decided yet what to do with these?

Vintage metal jewelry is like a treasure from a long time ago, made between the 1800s and 1900s. It's unique because it's made with lots of care, looks pretty, and always goes in style. This kind of jewelry can be made from metals like gold, silver, platinum, brass, and copper. They can also have shiny stones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.

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Most of us can relate to having collections of old jewelry that might have been shopped, inherited, or received as gifts. While utterly gorgeous, these pieces might have gone out of fashion for a modern-day woman or have parts that are lost or broken.

Types of Jewelry

Necklaces

These are chains or strings you wear around your neck. They can be short or long and have pendants or beads. Some are made from gold, silver, or other metals and can have shiny stones.

Earrings

Earrings are items you wear on your ears. They can be long and dangly or small and round, made from different metals and sometimes adorned with shiny stones.

Brooches

Brooches are pins you put on your clothes to make them look even fancier. They can be made from various metals and decorated with shiny stones to make them sparkle.

Bracelets

Bracelets are worn around the wrist. Some are solid, and others have charms or beads. They can be made from different metals and often feature shiny stones.

Wearing vintage metal jewelry can make you look classy and special. It's also an excellent gift for someone you care about.

Creative Ways to Repurpose Vintage Jewelry

Combine Similar Chains

This idea works well for heavy sets that are broken or outdated. You can also repurpose chains from old watches made of diamonds, platinum, silver, or gold. Combine these chains to create unique pieces like bracelets or necklaces. Adding a locket, pendant, or medallion enhances the vintage style. Using an old watch dial as a locket is another bold choice.

Complete the Look with an Extender Chain

Extender chains come in various materials, sizes, and designs and are used as connectors for jewelry. For broken bracelets, anklets, or necklaces, extender chains are an excellent solution. If you have loose beads or pearls, you can restring them creatively, such as making a bohemian-style bead chain. For high-quality beads or pearls, investing in a gold or silver extender chain is worthwhile.

Turn It into a Stationery Heirloom

In the past, royal families passed heirlooms and wisdom to younger generations. While this tradition is less common now, vintage jewelry can be transformed into creative or meaningful pieces to gift to younger relatives. Modern generations may prefer innovative designs over heavy traditional jewelry, making repurposing a thoughtful choice.

Turn Old Jewelry Into Unique Gifts

Let’s say, you can turn that fabulous pair of sterling silver earrings into bejewelled bookmarks or key chains. Or your necklace into a timeless hair wrap. These gifts won’t only reflect your love but they will be cherished for years to come as well.

Add Stones to Metals

Metal jewellery is something with which you can create pretty much any style you wish. If you have a boatload collection of gold or silver jewellery, it’s worth putting in some investment to re-set them up.

To say the least, you can get some stones attached to them. This will not just add pops of colour but will also increase the value of your heritage.

You can also transform the entire style of a piece. When a piece is recreated, the metals are melted down first. So you can mold the styles of your rings and chains as you like.

Add Metals to Stones

In contrast to the above-mentioned measure, if your jewellery contains some precious beads or stones, don’t let them wander alone. Get them studded into some intricate designs cast into metals or perhaps into diamonds.

Let’s say you have a large emerald stone or a finely cut ruby or sapphire. Bring the stone to highlight by creating a magnificent neckpiece or finger ring out of it.

If you can shell a few more pennies, it’s a wonderful idea to get the precious stone surrounded by diamonds or crystals and then slipped into a metallic chain. This way, your stone remains preserved and becomes the centre of gravity for your jewellery piece too.

Create a Cocktail Ring

For all those rainbow-studded peacock brooches or heavily carved oxidized silver pendants, you can re-shape them into a large cocktail ring.

To do this, simply take some blank metal rings for the size of your finger and stick the embellished part of the jewel to it with the help of jewellery glue.

You can also create brand-new bracelets this way while using plain bracelets or slim-n-heavy bangles as the base.

Extra Tips While Selecting Vintage Metal Jewellery

The metal: Some metals, like gold and silver, are more robust and last longer. Others, like brass and copper, are not as sturdy.

The stones: Real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are precious and make the jewelry extra special.

The design: Look for a design that stands out and makes you happy.

The condition: Make sure the jewelry is in good shape to stay beautiful for a long time.

If you want a special piece of jewelry that will always look good, vintage metal jewelry is a beautiful choice. There are so many styles and designs; you'll find one that's just right for you!

Vintage jewellery is not just a one-of-a-kind addition to your tapestry of jewels but also a medley of state-of-the-art pieces you might not find these days anymore.

The gem-dripping artistry, intricate craftsmanship, and unique ornamentations—it isn’t worthwhile to let these features fade away. Rather, turn them into something which will shine for years to come!

Preserve History with Careful Restoration

Restoring vintage metal jewelry is another wonderful way to preserve its original charm while breathing new life into each piece. Over time, metal jewelry can tarnish, lose its shine, or even accumulate minor damages due to regular wear or simple aging. By choosing to restore these pieces, you not only honor their history but also make them wearable for future generations. Many professional jewelers specialize in the restoration of vintage items, skillfully cleaning, polishing, and repairing them to maintain their authenticity and value.

One essential part of restoring vintage jewelry is gentle cleaning. For metals like silver or gold, a soft polishing cloth can often bring back their luster without damaging the surface. Specialized cleaning solutions for different types of metal are also available, though it’s advisable to avoid harsh chemicals, as they can be too abrasive and damage delicate pieces. Additionally, for vintage pieces set with precious stones like diamonds, rubies, or sapphires, taking extra care is essential to ensure the stones remain securely fastened while cleaning.

If your vintage jewelry has loose settings, missing clasps, or broken chains, consider visiting a jeweler who can perform delicate repairs. These repairs require expertise, as handling old jewelry can be challenging due to its unique craftsmanship and materials. By restoring the original parts or substituting them with identical replacements, a skilled jeweler can bring your vintage jewelry back to its former glory without compromising its historical essence.

Preserving vintage jewelry not only safeguards a piece of history but also enhances its beauty for daily use or special occasions. With proper care, restored vintage jewelry becomes more than just an accessory—it becomes a wearable story passed down through time, ready to add a touch of elegance and nostalgia to any outfit.