Antwerp jewellery redesign and renovation – give your old jewellery a new lease of life!

An honest opinion from an Antwerp family jeweller since 1937

Many people have old rings, earrings or necklaces in their drawer. This might be something from their grandmother, mum or someone very special. Whilst these are very meaningful to them, they just don’t feel right to wear anymore, whether the style is outdated, the sizing isn’t right or the gold has become very thin.

At Philippe Harold, we can help you turn your old family jewellery into something you will love to wear every day. Our family jewellery business was established in Antwerp in 1937 and is now in its fourth generation.

Here’s how we can redesign and renovate your jewellery:

Why redesign old family jewellery?

Every family piece has its own reason for sitting in a box. Perhaps the ring is too small, too large or too fragile to wear. Or perhaps the necklace has a lovely stone but the clasp keeps breaking. Or maybe the style is simply outdated.

Rather than throw it away or sell it for scrap value, many people prefer to keep it. Instead, it may be better to make the most of what you have and change what you can.

You may wish to keep the original stone and have the setting changed. Or perhaps reuse the old gold, where suitable, to create something new. Or even combine the stones from two or three pieces of jewellery to create a new ring. As long as the metal and stones are suitable, the design may be changed.

1. Show us your jewellery

Either visit our store and show us your jewellery or send us clear photos if you cannot come in person. We’ll have a look together.

Some people want to keep the original stone but change the setting. Some wish to see whether the old gold can be reused to create something new. Or they may want a mixture of both. The options depend on the materials and their condition. It really depends on how meaningful the jewellery is to you and how you want to wear it.

If you can tell us who it belonged to and any memories you have, it can really help us. Often the design will be influenced by the story. We can often preserve little engravings, certain shapes or settings.

2. Initial assessment

Our goldsmiths will have a good look at the jewellery. We’ll check the metal, stones and any repairs needed.

We’ll be very transparent and let you know what we can and can’t do. If there is any damage to the stones or the metal is too thin, we’ll let you know. We won’t pressure you towards the most expensive option. We just want to make sure your jewellery is meaningful and wearable.

You’ll also receive a clear price.

3. Design your new jewellery

Once we know what you want to keep, we’ll design your new piece.

Where appropriate, we’ll start with some basic drawings and then create a 3D model. You’ll be able to see it from all angles. You’ll be able to choose the colour of the metal, thickness of the band and how the original stones are set. Some clients like to keep the exact same diamond but change the style. Others like to combine stones from two different pieces of family jewellery.

We won’t do anything until you’ve approved everything.

4. Crafted in Antwerp

Our jewellery redesigns draw on goldsmithing expertise in Antwerp. Depending on the project, the goldsmiths who create our bespoke rings may also work on your redesign.

Where suitable, they’ll reuse the old metal and stones to handcraft the new piece. We use traditional methods and modern tools to create a strong and comfortable piece. All stones are checked and set securely. Finally, the jewellery will be cleaned and polished to give it a brand new look.

Many redesigns take a few weeks, depending on the work involved. We’ll keep you updated throughout and are happy to send you pictures.

5. Final fitting

Once it’s ready, we’ll check the fit where appropriate. If any minor adjustments are needed, we’ll discuss them with you.

The aftercare and warranty for redesigned jewellery depend on the work carried out. We will explain the applicable terms for your piece. If you ever need resizing in the future, we’ll advise you on the available options.

If you can’t come to Antwerp, please ask us about insured delivery for your finished piece.

Should I renovate or redesign?

We are often asked this question. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Renovating is best if you really love the jewellery as it is. Maybe it’s a lovely antique ring and all we need to do is replace the claws, repair the band or polish it. We’ll keep the style and make it strong and safe to wear.

Redesigning is best if you love the jewellery but the style doesn’t suit your lifestyle. Depending on the materials, we may be able to transform a heavy old brooch into a lightweight pendant, old cufflinks into earrings or combine your grandmother’s wedding band and your mother’s diamond into one ring.

If you’re unsure, we’d recommend popping in to see us. Some options are clear straight away; others require a closer assessment.

A few tips

Don’t try to clean or repair fragile jewellery yourself. This can actually cause damage. Try to bring it as is. If there are any loose components, bring them with you.

If you know any history about the jewellery, write it down or bring a picture of the person who wore it. These details often help us find a suitable design.

Common questions

Can I use my old gold?

Possibly. We may be able to melt down the original metal or mix it with new gold, depending on its suitability.

What if my stone is very old?

We’ll have a good look. Many old diamonds remain suitable for reuse. If there is anything we need to do, we’ll let you know your options.

How much will it cost?

It really depends on what we need to do. If you just want the stone reset, it may be cheaper than a full redesign. We will always give you a clear price.

Do I need to come into Antwerp?

Not necessarily. Many of our clients start with photos and video calls. We’d love to see you in our showroom though.

Old jewellery can hold lots of stories, and by keeping it in a box you’re keeping those stories hidden. By redesigning, you can keep the story going and wear it again.

If you have something in your drawer that you’re unsure what to do with, we’d love to have a look. Send us some photos or come into the store. We’ll have a look, hear your story and show you what we can do. No pressure, just advice from a family jeweller with a history dating to 1937!