Old jewelry: Junk it or recreate it?

[Julescott]

Seeking advice on whether there is any value in resetting, redesigning or repurposing a couple of old 14K rings in the jewelry box. I've seen here on PS several eternity bands that alternate between baguettes and brilliants, and I find them lovely. However I'm not even sure the stones in these two rings are worth re-setting. I have no information on them other than they're from the '80s and probably the mall.
What would you do?
Thanks!

 

[cjchumphries]

Hey Julescott... I can't really say if there is any "value" in repurposing either of the two rings you have. I think that really depends on whether they mean anything to you or not. I am currently waiting for my wedding set upgrade to be finished and sent to me, and really didn't like the idea of my original set just sitting in a box. My set was bought at Zales 13 yrs ago and the best quality in diamonds. That being said, they still have sentimental value so I sent them to an Etsy vender who repurposed them into exactly the type of eternity ring you are talking about. I had the diamonds reset into yellow gold and added rounds to go with my existing 9 baguettes. The old white gold she made into two 1.5mm stacking bands for me (one rope, one hammered). Since my baguettes were not calibrated, she had to make it by hand and each baguette isn't the exact same measurement, but the band looks fabulous from the shot I have. The bands should arrive to me tomorrow so I'll have better pics then, but Im really pleased just to have my original stones and gold to wear when I want. So, the cost for all of it, including the new round diamonds, was $700. Well worth it to me! But you'll have to decide if something like that is worth it to you. Here are a few pics of what I have so far of my new rings! Hope this helps a little.

cj

 

[Harpertoo]

The baguettes set end on end might make up all or most of an eternity. Unfortunately I don't think you'd save a lot by repurposing due to labor/setting cost, but you might approach a jeweler and see just what they'll do.


If there's no sentimental value, another option might be to sell them yourself on LT or DiamondBistro and use the funds for a new project.

 

[heididdl]

Sell them but now is not that time as gold is 1189 an ounce today. Even if you thought you'd repurpose the baquettes you never will.... trust me