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Some people are lucky enough to have beautiful family heirlooms that have been passed down from generations which make them extra special. Issues do arise when you have had something passed down from generations due to them being extremely old. Issues such as them being damaged or having a thick layer of dirt on them. Due to them being part of family history, it is easy to see why people want to keep them and repurpose them for something that can be used. This is a much better way of keeping heirlooms as you will find with most heirlooms, they gather dust on top of a shelf somewhere. In this article, we will go through some methods in which you can upcycle your family heirlooms so they can last generations to come.
Have Your Gemstones Reset
One of the best ways to upcycle your old heirlooms is if it is jewellery such as vintage engagement rings, you could have the gemstones reset onto something else. This could either be onto a new piece of jewellery or have the old piece repaired or cleaned so it looks as good as new. If you have an old piece of jewellery that isn’t looked after, it can become tarnished meaning the gemstones may be loose or the material may be dull. The positive thing about dull metals is that they can be cleaned to look shiny again and the gemstones can have the setting fixed. If this is not possible, many opt for placing the gemstones into a new setting.
If you do have to have the gemstones set into a new setting, you can choose something that is more your style meaning that you can wear it proudly. If a ring isn’t your thing, then you could place it in a necklace or bracelet or anything that you like wearing.
Have Jewellery Professionally Cleaned
When you get family heirloom jewellery such as vintage sapphire engagement rings, the chances are they are going to be old meaning they will look old and dirty. This is easily remedied by taking it for a professional clean. You could always try ad clean it yourself and get some pretty good results. But if you take it to a professional because they will be able to get into all the small crevices using their special tools. Pending on the cleaner, they will also be able to tell you whether there is any damage or weaknesses that need resolving in the future.
By allowing a professional to clean your heirloom, they will be able to remove years of dirt and make it as good as new. All pieces of jewellery are different so allowing a professional to clean it, they will be able to use the correct solutions for the gems and materials.
There are many different ways in which you can upcycle including painting and reupholstering furniture, repurposing as wall art, and obviously the two examples above. By doing these methods, you will be able to keep your heirlooms in the family for generations to come.