As a jewelry designer, there’s nothing quite like the process of taking something old and turning it into something new, especially when the old item carries meaning and significance. That’s why I’m proud to offer a service at Geralyn Sheridan Designs that allows you to repurpose and recycle your existing gold into new, custom pieces. Not only does this process give your old jewelry a fresh, modern look, but it also aligns with our commitment to sustainability. Plus, it helps you feel more personally connected to your jewelry, knowing it carries the legacy of the original pieces.

Why Choose Recycled Gold Jewelry?

Many of my customers are drawn to the idea of recycled gold jewelry because it’s a meaningful and sustainable way to create something new. But what is recycled gold jewelry exactly? Simply put, it’s gold that has been refined from previously used sources—whether that’s old jewelry, coins, or even industrial gold. When sent to a refinery, they transform it into a new, high-quality material ready to be made into something special. At my studio, your gold items are tested to verify the karat then calculated for melting into your new custom-designed jewelry.

Pure gold is a precious metal that can be melted down and reused without losing any of its integrity or beauty. In fact, recycling solid gold jewelry is just as valuable and stunning as jewelry made from newly mined gold. The biggest difference? By opting to recycle, you’re reducing the demand for environmentally damaging mining practices while creating a one-of-a-kind piece that carries a personal story.

How Does the Process Work?

When you come to me with the idea of repurposing your gold, the process begins with evaluating your existing jewelry. First, I test the karat of the gold to ensure it’s not gold-plated and to understand its purity. Pure gold is 24 karats, but it’s too soft for most jewelry, so we typically work with 18K or 14K gold. However, combining golds of different karats and colors can result in a “personal alloy”, which you may want to do. For consistency, I often recommend using all 18K or all 14K gold of the same color.

Once we’ve decided which pieces of gold to use, I photograph the jewelry for you, capturing its original form before it’s melted down. This way, you’ll always have a visual keepsake of what the jewelry once was.

The next step is removing any stones from the existing pieces. I carefully weigh and clean the gold, ensuring that it’s ready to be melted and formed into your new design. From here, the real magic happens—your gold is melted down, and is transformed in the lost wax casting process to create your new custom piece of jewelry.

The Importance of Quality Gold

Not all gold is created equal when it comes to recycling. Items like large solid rings or gold coins, such as Krugerrands, are ideal for making recycled solid gold jewelry because they contain high-quality, clean gold. On the other hand, items like gold chains, which often have a significant amount of solder, can introduce impurities into the casting process. This can lead to porosity—tiny pits in the surface of the jewelry—which is problematic, especially for highly polished pieces.

If the design calls for textured finishes, like the ones in my Natural Textures Collection, there’s a bit more flexibility in the type of gold that can be used, as minor imperfections are less noticeable in these styles. However, for a smooth, polished finish, it’s essential to use clean, high-quality gold.

Once we know the weight of the wax model for your new piece, I calculate how much gold will be needed to create it, using the specific gravity of the karat gold we’ve chosen.

Your Story, Your Design

One of the most exciting aspects of creating recycled gold jewelry is how personal the process can be. You’re not just recycling gold; you’re telling your story through the design. Whether you want to combine pieces of jewelry from multiple family members or you have a specific vision in mind, we work together to create something uniquely yours.

Some of my clients love to bring elements from their lives into the design process. For example, I’ve had clients bring a piece of bark from a meaningful tree to use as a texture on their rings, or even participate in the hands-on creation of their jewelry. Whether it’s putting your fingerprints and design lines on an "Our Story" wax model or adding the final hammer texture, being involved in the making process deepens the connection to the final piece.

We work closely from the very beginning. In our initial meeting, we’ll take a look at your existing jewelry and discuss both your style and the design aesthetic that speaks to you. From sketching out ideas to carving the wax model, you’ll be involved at every stage of the creation process. I encourage my clients to be as hands-on as they like—after all, this is your jewelry, and it should feel like an extension of your personal story. To start the process of creating a custom design, visit this page.

Creating Meaningful Heirlooms

Over the years, some of my favorite projects have been creating heirloom pieces from recycled gold. I’ve worked with clients who have collected jewelry from parents, grandparents, and other family members, all with the dream of transforming those sentimental pieces into something they can wear and enjoy every day.

Right-hand rings made from inherited diamonds or engagement rings reimagined from family gold are popular choices. One project that holds a special place in my heart is a heart-shaped pendant I created for a grandmother. We used gold coins to create a design incorporating the initials of her husband, children, and grandchildren. The piece even included their birthstones and fingerprints as part of the design, making it a deeply personal keepsake she could wear close to her heart.

A Sustainable Choice for a Beautiful Future

Repurposing gold isn’t just about creating something new—it’s about honoring the memories tied to your existing pieces while making a sustainable choice for the future. By choosing recycled gold jewelry, you’re making an environmentally conscious decision that reduces the demand for mining and supports the use of already existing resources. Using your own gold also gives you the benefit of saving the cost of purchasing new gold.

So, whether you have gold jewelry that no longer fits your style, family heirlooms that need a modern update, or you simply want to create something unique from recycled materials, I would love to help you bring your vision to life. Together, we can turn your old gold into a piece that’s not only beautiful but also meaningful, sustainable, and uniquely yours.

If you’re ready to begin the journey of creating your recycled solid gold jewelry, feel free to reach out—I can’t wait to start designing with you.