Creative Ways to Repurpose Vintage Metal Jewellery

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, and some metals like brass and copper. They can also have shiny stones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.Most of us would be able to relate to the above mentioned scenario. These collections of old jewellery might have been shopped, inherited or received as gifts. While utterly gorgeous, they might have gone out of fashion now especially for a modern day woman. Or perhaps, some of these jewels have a part which is lost. Maybe, they are broken.

Many times, these old jewellery items are too precious to just give them away or to get them exchanged for something. Very often, they are made up of expensive materials such as silver, diamonds, gemstones, rare beads, platinum or gold. Some of these pieces might carry emotions, memories and stories which are too dear to your heart to let go of.

Types of Jewellery

Necklaces: These are pretty 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: These are things you wear on your ears. They can be long and dangly or small and round. They can be made from different metals and have shiny stones, too.

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

Bracelets: These are pretty things you wear around your wrist. Some are solid, and others have charms or beads. They can be made from different metals and have shiny stones.

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

Combine Similar Chains

This idea is pretty good for all those lush heavy sets you might be having. You might have a set which is broken or perhaps whose design is now outdated.

This can also be done with all those precious watches your grandmother gave you which are made in diamonds, platinum, silver or gold.

Simply take off the watch chains and combine them best to your imagination. From these chains, you can create anything from a bracelet to a necklace.

To make it display even more vintage style, you can also do additions of a locket, pendant or medallion based on the design and thickness of the resulting chain. Using old watch dial as the locket is another bold yet interesting choice.

Complete the Look with an Extender Chain

Extender chains come with the choice of different materials, sizes and designs. In general, they are used as connector pieces for jewellery.

So, for all those pieces of bracelets, anklets and necklaces which might be broken or have lost their clasps, this is a cool thing to do.

Also, if you have some loose beads or pearls, this is a great idea. Just purchase an extender chain and re-string the beads giving them some innovative twist. Create a bohemian style bead chain of long length.

You can always use extender chains made in imitation metal or some other material.

However, if the beads and pearls are of good quality, investing in a gold or silver extender chain is worth it too.   

Turn it into a Stationary Heirloom

In good old days, the elderly members of a royal family would pass on to their wisdom and heirlooms to the growing young members. Traditions like these are not so common these days though.

However, if you have a treasury of vintage items like these, passing them onto your younger generations isn’t a bad idea to consider.

Apparently, the younger generations seldom prefer heavy old house jewellery. Rather, they tend to love pieces which are creative or meaningful.

Therefore, if you are planning to gift your jewellery to your relatives or young ones, consider transforming it into something interesting.

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 casted 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 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.