HEIRLOOM & VINTAGE JEWELLERY REDESIGN
Honour the past. Wear it your way.
Jewellery carries memory. But it should also carry you.
At Maya Magal, we specialise in heirloom and vintage jewellery remodelling, redesigning inherited rings, resetting family diamonds, and transforming vintage jewellery into contemporary designs you will wear every day. Whether it’s your grandmother’s engagement ring, a vintage piece discovered and loved, or gold sitting unworn in a drawer, we reshape what already exists. Carefully. Thoughtfully. By hand.
Because jewellery should never be left unworn. It should evolve.
A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO CREATE
Recycled materials. Responsible craftsmanship.
Remodelling heirloom and vintage jewellery is one of the most sustainable ways to create fine jewellery.
Where structurally suitable, we can re-melt and rework existing solid yellow gold in our workshops, shaping it into something entirely new. Heirloom diamonds and vintage gemstones are carefully assessed and reset wherever possible, limiting the need for newly mined materials.
All Maya Magal jewellery is made using recycled gold sourced through established refineries that process gold from multiple streams, including legacy jewellery, bench sweepings and reclaimed materials. When clients choose to trade in their gold with us, it contributes directly to this circular system.
This is renewal, not replacement. Every redesigned piece is handcrafted using recycled metals and responsibly sourced stones - made to last for generations to come.
WHAT JEWELLERY CAN BE REMODELLED?
Many clients ask whether inherited or unworn jewellery can be redesigned. In many cases, the answer is yes. Whether it's a family engagement ring, a vintage necklace or loose gemstones, we'll carefully assess each piece and advise on the best way to preserve its history while creating something you'll love to wear.
We regularly remodel:
- Inherited engagement rings
- Family wedding bands
- Vintage jewellery and antique jewellery
- Broken or unworn antique pieces
- Loose heirloom diamonds and gemstones
If you are unsure whether your heirloom or vintage jewellery can be redesigned, bring it to us. We will assess it with care and honesty.
CAN YOU MELT DOWN VINTAGE GOLD JEWELLERY
In some cases, yes - but not always.
Where structurally suitable, we can re-melt and rework existing solid yellow gold to create a new design. This involves melting the metal, pouring it into an ingot, and then hand-forging and shaping it into something new. However, not all jewellery is appropriate for this process.
CHAINS
In most cases, no. Chains, particularly vintage chains often contain solder or fillers used to join links. When melted, these materials disrupt the gold alloy, leading to impurities that can cause cracking, brittleness or porosity. Many vintage pieces also contain historic lead solder, which cannot be safely removed and poses risks in the workshop. For this reason, chains are usually not suitable for repurposing. Instead, we offer a gold trade-in, where your chain is sent to a refinery and its value is deducted from your final balance.
WHITE GOLD & PALLADIUM
We do not repurpose white gold or platinum.
White gold can become brittle when re-melted, and platinum’s melting point is too high for safe small-scale remodelling. In these cases, we again offer a trade-in, contributing the metal to large-scale recycling through refineries.
We use the term trade-in intentionally, it reflects the value of your materials while supporting a circular gold economy.
HOW OUR REMODELLING SERVICE WORKS
From heirloom to heirloom-in-the-making.
1. CONSULTATION
Your journey begins with a personal consultation, either in-studio or virtually. We explore what you love, what you’d like to change, and how you want the finished piece to feel.
2. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
We develop designs around your existing stones or materials, balancing memory with modernity. This stage may involve sketches, refinement and technical consideration to ensure longevity and wearability.
3. REWORKING THE MATERIALS
Where suitable, gold is re-melted, alloyed and formed into an ingot before being hand-worked into its new shape. Vintage settings may be adapted, and heirloom diamonds carefully reset. Multiple pieces can become one or one piece can become two, depending on what best serves the design and the materials.
4. HANDCRAFTED AT THE BENCH
Your piece is then crafted by our jewellers, finished by hand and made to be worn every day. While reusing existing gold or gemstones can reduce material sourcing, the process still requires professional assessment, design development, structural engineering and skilled bench work.
PRICING & QUOTES
As a guide, heirloom and vintage jewellery redesign projects start from £1,500.
Following your consultation, we provide a clear quote alongside a detailed explanation of the remodelling process, so you understand the investment before we begin.
Redesign isn’t about creating something inexpensive. It’s about creating something lasting with intention, integrity and craftsmanship.
RESETTING INHERITED & VINTAGE DIAMONDS
Heirloom stones deserve to be seen.
We frequently reset inherited diamonds and stones from vintage jewellery into modern bespoke engagement ring settings.
Each stone is carefully examined by our jewellers to ensure it is suitable for resetting, both structurally and aesthetically.
The result is a ring that honours its history, while reflecting your present.
OLD-CUT & RECLAIMED GEMSTONES
For those without heirloom stones, we offer a curated selection of old-cut and reclaimed gemstones.
Sourced from trusted suppliers, these rare stones carry the character of traditional craftsmanship - distinctive facet patterns, subtle variations and natural individuality.
Choosing an old-cut diamond or reclaimed gemstone is a considered alternative: honouring the past while reducing the environmental impact of new mining.
FROM THEN TO NOW
A selection of our bespoke commissions, created through remodelling our customers' heirloom and vintage jewellery.
OUR REVIEWS
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Working with Nathan to redesign
my grandmother’s engagement ring
was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The whole process felt easy and enjoyable, and the finished ring exceeded our expectations.”
Christie W.
Google Review | 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"We cannot recommend Nathan and the team at Maya Magal Islington's studio enough. My partner and I brought his grandmother's antique diamond ring to them to repurpose into our own proposal ring. Nathan understood our vision right away, and we felt we could trust him with such a special and meaningful family heirloom. He shared such creative and thoughtful designs with us that it was hard to choose, but in the end we landed on one that managed to be unique, modern, and classic. The team hunted for additional antique diamonds to bring the design to life, and the end result is breathtaking. What a fun and meaningful project! We look forward to the next one."
Addie M.
Google Review | 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I had a bespoke ring made out of some heirloom jewellery and am absolutely delighted with the results. The whole process was seamless and the design and execution surpassed my expectations. Thank you to Maya and Amy for their craftsmanship!"
Anna N.
Google Review | January 2026
FAQs
Yes. We specialise in heirloom and vintage jewellery redesign and regularly work with sentimental pieces. Each item is carefully assessed to determine the safest and most appropriate way to transform it.
In some cases, yes. Where structurally suitable, we can re-melt and rework existing solid yellow gold to create a new design.
This involves melting the metal, forming it into an ingot, and hand-shaping it into its new form. Not all jewellery is suitable for this process, and we will always advise honestly following assessment.
White gold and platinum cannot be repurposed in-house, but we offer a trade-in option for these metals.
In most cases, no.
Chains, particularly vintage chains often contain solder used to join the links. Solder is made from different metals that, when melted down, disrupt the gold alloy and can cause brittleness, cracking or porosity. Some older pieces may also contain historic lead solder, which cannot be safely removed.
For this reason, chains are usually not suitable for repurposing. We instead offer a gold trade-in, where the value is deducted from your final balance and the metal is recycled through a refinery.
In many cases, yes.
Each gemstone is carefully examined by our jewellers to ensure it is structurally suitable for resetting. Some older stones may show wear or damage that affects their longevity, and we will always discuss this with you before proceeding.
Projects typically start from £1,500, although the final cost depends on the complexity of the design and the materials involved. Following your consultation, we'll provide a detailed quotation before any work begins.
Every project is unique, but following your consultation we'll provide a clear timeline alongside your design proposal. The process includes assessing your jewellery, developing the design and handcrafting the finished piece in our London workshop.
Not always. During your consultation, we'll carefully assess the piece, considering the condition of the metal, the construction and any gemstones. In many cases we can reuse existing gold and reset stones into a new design. Where remodelling isn't suitable, we'll explain why and discuss alternative options, such as resetting the gemstones or trading in the gold.
Yes, in many cases. We regularly redesign inherited engagement rings into contemporary pieces that are easier to wear every day. We always begin by understanding what makes the original piece meaningful, so we can preserve its story while creating something that reflects your style.
If the gold is structurally suitable, we can often melt it down and incorporate it into a new design. Some types of jewellery, such as chains or white gold, are generally not suitable for remelting, but we can explain the best options during your consultation.
Yes. Resetting inherited diamonds is one of our most popular bespoke services. We'll carefully assess the stone and design a new setting that protects it while giving it a fresh, contemporary look.
If a piece isn't suitable for remodelling, we'll always explain why. Depending on the materials, we may recommend resetting the gemstones, resizing the piece or offering a gold trade-in towards a new bespoke commission.
Often, yes. We regularly create bespoke pieces using gold or gemstones from multiple family heirlooms, allowing different stories to come together in a single design.
Absolutely. We remodel a wide range of jewellery, including wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, brooches and loose gemstones, creating pieces that are designed to be worn and enjoyed again.
Not at all. Many clients arrive with only the jewellery and the story behind it. During the consultation, we'll explore ideas together and help you understand what's possible before developing a bespoke design.
BEGIN AGAIN
Redesigning heirloom or vintage jewellery is an act of continuity. The memory remains. The form evolves. Book a one-to-one consultation in our London studio and begin the next chapter of your piece.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about repurposing your jewellery - an intentional way to honour heirloom and antique pieces by giving them a new life. Discover how reworking existing gold and gemstones can reduce waste, preserve sentimental meaning, and create something uniquely yours.
