Ook your own goldmine
Do you have some jewellery you never seem to wear and that’s just collecting dust? This treasure could be transformed into a new jewel by us, as experienced goldsmiths. The ultimate form of recycling and a concious choice, and a way for the emotional value of a piece to be preserved.
What is heirloom gold?
For example a broken necklace, or a single earring because you lost the other one. A bracelet from an inheritance, or a ring you bought years ago but will never wear again. Very often it adds up to more than you would think. Such a pity to have it just lying around.
What can be made with my own gold?
The jewellery created for our Oogst collection and custom Oogst Originals designs can be made with your own heirloom gold too. Also lovely diamonds or other gemstones can be re-used in a new design.
How does it work? We melt the gold and re-use the gema to create an exceptional and personal jewel. The design is inspired by a piece from our collection or the wealth of nature. We can add a personal wish to the design as well. A transformation from an heirloom to an eye catcher!
To create the sleek pieces of jewellery your gold will be melted and made into a sheet or rod of gold that can then be molded into the right shape. The organic designs in our collection are created by using the lost wax technique. Then a wax model will be made as a starting point.
Your gemstones can be polished again or recut if they have more damage. Diamonds are very hard and will always keep their sparkle. We love seeing these old antique shapes and cuts and love re-using them in a new piece of jewellery. Of course we also have a lovely collection of gemstones, diamonds and pearls of our own in stock for you to look at, to find your favourite one, to add to your bespoke design.
Is the use of heirloom gold an environmental friendly choice?
The use of heirloom gold is a sustainable way to create a new jewel. Mining gold and transporting it is hard on the environment and the health and lives of miners. That’s why we only use locally recycled gold for our collection. To do our bit for a more consious future. Using your own gold for recycling is a great choice.
Precious transformation
The re-use of an heirloom can add some appealing symbolic value. Quite frequently we melt family gold from loved ones into a new precious jewel. For example jewellery from two separate families will be melted together to make wedding bands. Or well-worn pieces from a deceased parent are re-designed into something modern that can be worn close to your heart and cherished.
As well as the symbolic value and the sustainability factor, it is also financially attractive to have jewellery made from heirloom gold. We don’t buy your gold but we can use it to make your new piece. You will only pay for the working hours and for the casting. The gold can also be divided to create several pieces of jewellery if there is enough in weight.
The more heavy the piece the more budget-friendly it gets proportionally if we create it from your own gold. The cost of a bespoke jewel created from your own gold will always be calculated in advance, like all our bespoke pieces.
Can all gold pieces be re-used again?
It is recommended to bring your gold to your appointment. Then we can weigh everything and check the carat. And of course if it truely is gold or perhaps goldplated. And to make sure you have enough to create something new. If you don’t have the weight required to make the design, we can always add a little extra to the mix.
Our collection consists of jewels in 14 ct recycled gold. For your own piece we could use the carat gold you bring. If it is higher than 18 ct we would advise you to have it lowered to 14 ct or 18 ct so it’s sturdier.
Perhaps you already know that besides the different carats there are different colours gold. Yellow, rosé or rose gold can all be mixed without a hiccup, they will become a rosé colour together.
White gold cannot be mixed with other colours gold. In our Oogst collection we only use palladium white gold, a mixture of 24 ct gold and palladium (one of the platinum metals).
Until the 1990ties white gold was usually a nickel alloy. Because a lot of people are allergic to it, this is now banned. If you are not allergic however and it is part of your treasure you want us to transform, we could re-use it in your own jewel, preferably with the lost wax technique. Want to read more about gold? Why not read this blog post.
Oogst Original, how does it work?
We will melt down the gold and re-use the gemstones from your own heirloom pieces to create a personal design. This way your gold is transformed into a stylish jewel in the recognizable Oogst style.
The design is inspired by a piece in our collection or a nature motive. With a personal wish you bring to the table added to the final design. Ofcourse it’s important that you feel confident we will create something lovely for you, and give us a free hand in creating the best end result. A stylish jewel in an Oogst look created from your own heirloom gold.
