How to dismantle your wedding jewellery

Jewels outlast trends, seasons, and sometimes marriages. Here's how to make the most with what you've got.

Zahraa Rajkotwala

Sep 27, 2024

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Jewels outlast trends, seasons, and sometimes marriages. Here's how to make the most with what you've got.

Designing or receiving your wedding jewellery can arguably be more exciting than marrying someone. For women who love jewellery, and even for those who wear it to fit in, wedding trinkets are deeply meaningful, whether they come from the bride's family or from her husband and in-laws. Over time, they become heirlooms, outlasting their style, trends, and sometimes, the marriage itself.

So when you’re left with jewels in your wardrobe that you don't know what to do with, there are options. For those who need some help, read on to find out how you can transform all of your past into your future.

Repurpose with flair

You can always contact the jeweller you bought your jewellery from. Whether it's your wedding ring or your ala-grande necklace, jewellers are well-versed in repurposing or redesigning old jewellery into new ornaments. Your ring could come back to you as a dainty and beautiful pendant, or your necklace could be transformed into a bracelet—the kind that you embrace, carrying the old in its new form.

The great jewellery meltdown

Indian mothers do this all the time—they melt down jewellery that has served its purpose. Gold and silver jewellery, in particular, is easy to melt down and create a completely new look. Keep some designs in mind, or find inspiration on Pinterest. Get creative and adventurous! Instead of going through a personal meltdown, we suggest melting down your precious metals to refresh them.

Cash it in

There’s nothing better than an upgrade to your bank balance. While people say jewellery is an investment, and should be sold only when absolutely needed, sometimes it's great to let go off things from your past forever. You can auction it off, sell it to a friend, or to a jeweller.

Create a family heirloom

Create a family heirloom. Like the scene in Crazy Rich Asians with the heirloom green ring, think of the future. You can choose to wear it, or if you have kids or plan to, treasure it and pass it on to someone who truly deserves it.

Dismantling your wedding jewellery doesn’t have to be a sombre task; instead, it can be an empowering experience filled with creativity and self-expression. Whether you choose to repurpose, sell, or transform these pieces into something new, it would do well to remember that the best kind of jewellery is what you'll actually use.

Lead image credit: Aditi Rao Hydari// Instagram

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