Should I Restore my Antique Jewellery?
Antique jewellery is defined as any piece more than a hundred years old, typically from the Edwardian, Victorian or Georgian Era. If you own a piece from one of these eras, it’s not unreasonable to consider restoring the jewellery. After centuries of wear, these pieces can look tired and worn, and a restoration could return them to their former glory.
The joy of antique jewellery lies in its uniqueness – you are unlikely to find two antique pieces that are exactly the same. This makes it difficult to answer the question, “Should I restore my antique jewellery?”, because it really depends on what you have, and what you plan to use the jewellery for.
• Is this a sentimental piece?
• Would you prefer to retain its value?
• Do you want to wear the piece regularly?
Bear these questions in mind as we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of restoring antique jewellery, because they will help to determine your decision.
Advantages of restoring your antique jewellery
The main purpose of restoring antique jewellery is to strengthen the structure of the piece, repair any broken areas and try to restore any previous work that may not have gone to plan. An expert jeweller will examine the piece, assess the work that needs to be done and do their best to bring the jewellery back to how it originally looked. The advantage of having antique jewellery restored is that the piece can be worn again as if it were a new piece of jewellery.
Restoring antique jewellery can also be an opportunity to learn about the piece. In order to make an accurate restoration, the jeweller will need to determine what era the piece is from, and what techniques were used to create it. You could also find out if any changes have been made over the years – extra details added, or stones replaced. You’ll have a much better idea of what your jewellery has been through, and it will be up to you and the jeweller to decide its future.
Disadvantages of restoring antique jewellery
Working with fine jewellery will always have its dangers, and restoring antique jewellery is not the answer for everybody. Antiques tend to be lighter and more delicate than modern jewellery, so there can be a risk of damaging the piece by working on it. Restoring an antique may also affect the value, particularly if modern techniques are used to restore old details.
If you do decide to have your antique piece restored, make sure you choose an experienced jeweller who has worked with similar pieces before. You want someone who is going to treat your jewellery as if it were their own, so do your research and if you are not sure, don’t go ahead.
Alternative Options
If you choose not to restore your antique jewellery, you could keep the piece as it is, saving it to wear on special occasions. If you are looking for something you can wear all the time, you could sell the piece to an antique collector and use the money to buy something you love. Alternatively, if this is an heirloom piece, why not rework it into something else? A diamond pendant could become a ring or a brooch and continue to be worn by future generations.
We hope this has helped with your decision to restore your antique jewellery – if you need any more help, feel free to contact us here at Cuttings Jewellers and speak to one of our experts.