Common Questions

Knowing what to do with old, unworn jewellery & inherited treasures can be very overwhelming. The first step is to understand exactly what you have, how much the raw materials are worth and what we could potentially make with them

I offer a FREE 45 minute initial consultation at the studio, by phone or on zoom. We will chat about your style & budget, gain an overview of any jewellery you would like to transform and explore initial ideas. This is generally enough time to assess 3 or 4 pieces of jewellery

Please go to next steps for more information or contact me to book an appointment

  • Shop

    Shop & CustomiseBrowse a selection of signature 'gold-dust' 18ct, diamond & sapphire rings, necklaces & earrings on my online shop. Presented in a complimentary porcelain jewellery box, and delivered Special Delivery within 5 working days

    The white diamond Coastal Collection features a glittering bridal range of engagement rings, necklaces and eternity bands

    Inspired by misty mountains & stormy skies, the Highland collection features 'salt & pepper' diamonds in a galaxy of subtle grey hues and 'gold-dust' textures

    The Lichen Collection features misty grey, greeny-blue & deep teal sapphires

    Existing collection designs can also be adapted with your choice of precious metals or gemstones - yellow gold, white gold, platinum, rose gold, or using emeralds instead of diamonds. The possibilities are endless & offer an exciting way to customise a design & make it yours

  • Remodel into an existing design

    You can use the precious raw materials from a dusty, old jewellery box to make a an existing design from one of my Collections

    This is often the simplest & most cost effective option for remodelling your unworn jewellery & typically saves 20-25% on the RRP

    I'll look at your treasure to get a sense of what's possible with your raw materials, and advise on design & budget. From there, we can discuss options for adapting one of my existing designs or I may recommend creating something more bespoke

    Prices from £2,000

    ".. If you're looking for something precious in every way, then Bea is your answer." Susi

  • Bespoke Creations

    Commissioning bespoke pieces allows full creative freedom to create something totally unique - shaped by your individual style, personality & story

    This is an intimate & richly rewarding experience, offering an opportunity to collaborate on designing an individual, precious & meaningful jewellery piece that truly reflects who you are

    Prices from £3,500

    Commissions over £10,000 include a signed, framed original drawing of your jewellery design

    Premium Commissions over £15,000 include an additional hand-crafted linen book featuring original drawings, pictures of your jewellery being made, family stories & old photographs to be treasured alongside your jewellery and passed down the generations

    “...people yearn for something real that they can connect to personally. By working with Bea you are entering a very rewarding, satisfying and individual world...”

    Bill Amberg, Creative Mentor

What precious metals do you work with?

I work with high carat, hallmarked gold - 18ct, 22ct & 24ct and platinum. You can check the hallmarks on your jewellery to see what you have (you may need a magnifying glass) Hallmarking has been a legal requirement in the UK for over 700 years, so if your pieces don't have visible hallmarks they may have been made outside the UK. Unmarked jewellery can still be used, but would need to be sent away for independent analysis before transforming them into a new piece

Do you work with 9ct, 14ct gold and silver?

No. This is because silver is not cost effective to recycle in my studio, and lower carat golds have other metals in the alloy that make them more difficult to work with. You can use the scrap value of any 9ct and 14ct carat items as 'cash value' towards the cost of having your bespoke piece made

What gemstones can you work with?

I work with most gemstones that might be in your treasure chest - diamonds, sapphires, rubies, aquamarine or emeralds make for timeless, hard wearing pieces whilst opals, pearls and amethyst would be more suitable for occasional wear. I am happy to guide you on what's possible with your raw materials, and how we can make the most of the jewellery you have

I am extremely careful in handling, documenting and storing all the gemstones I remove from your jewellery, but it's important to acknowledge that even with the utmost care, stones can be fragile, and occasionally chip or break as the pieces are taken apart. Thankfully, this happens very rarely, but all clients must accept this element of risk and responsibility as an inevitable part of working with old, worn, fragile pieces

Is transforming old, precious material cost effective?

Yes, for many reasons

Selling old jewellery to a dealer or auction house can be difficult, and typically achieves a fraction of the material value (unless you have something rare and collectable - in which case make sure you have it professionally valued first)

The cost of buying new precious metals, diamonds and gemstones is high. It's very common that clients find themselves in a situation where they could not afford to replace the quality of raw materials they have inherited

The time involved in taking old jewellery apart, melting it down, removing diamonds and carefully cleaning stones is more cost effective for my clients than creating a bespoke jewel from newly purchased raw materials - especially when we are using larger gemstones. Your finished, handmade jewellery will almost certainly be worth many times what you have paid me to make it

Can you make something out of this old thing?

It's a misconception that you need to have a treasure trove of spectacular jewels to create something beautiful. Sometimes clients do come in with incredible diamonds, or heavy golden clasps from 1800s India - but invariably I'm transforming old engagement rings, broken necklaces, tangled chains, old misshapen wedding bands, the odd 18ct earring at the bottom of the box, a solid gold watch strap or lots of small, fairly unremarkable precious stones into a vibrant new chapter of being worn and enjoyed. Transforming old treasure is incredibly rewarding precisely because I can create something with real impact from a handful of precious bits and bobs

How will I know it's the right time to take my jewellery apart?

Heirloom jewellery can feel untouchable and sacred - we might wonder if it's really 'ours' or if we have the 'right' to take it apart. I've heard people say that inheriting
precious jewellery can feel like a burden - they worry about insuring it, don't wear it because it isn't their style, but also can't bear to sell it because of the sentimental attachment. So it stays in a box, gathering dust and guilt, to be looked at every few years with a sigh

Transforming treasured jewellery can bring a rich layer of purpose, attachment, individuality and connection to our lives. It can also be complex and challenging, unearthing tender emotions, memories and a range of different experiences - grief, joy, sadness and celebration. I'm here for it all - and we take as much time as you need to reach a decision that feels right for you. Some people have had their jewels in a box for decades before they come to me, some people make quick decisions, others commission a bespoke design and come back to me several years later to make the jewellery for a special birthday or event that has come along in the meantime. Your story is personal and so is your jewellery. Each piece is a privilege

Is my old, unworn & heirloom jewellery insured with you?

All heirloom jewellery left in my care during the commissioning process is kept in a locked safe and insured as an 'item in trust' for its material replacement value. For example, in the event of loss, a 10gm 18ct gold bracelet would be valued at that days 18ct gold fix to replace the raw bullion (Not the retail replacement value of the bracelet)

Please note that I don't offer a formal valuation service of your jewellery, or claim to know precisely how much your heirloom jewellery is worth. If you know you have particularly valuable pieces, or want to be covered for retail replacement values then you must ensure your jewels are professionally valued and covered under your own insurance policy while they are in my care. In such cases I require written paperwork to this effect