Somewhere in a drawer, a jewellery box, or tucked away in a keepsake tin, most people have at least one piece of jewellery they never wear. Perhaps it’s an engagement ring from a relationship long past, a grandmother’s brooch with diamonds too beautiful to leave forgotten, or a gold chain that simply isn’t your style. The sentimental value is real. The jewellery itself is real. But the connection to wearing it every day has been lost.
Jewellery remodelling changes that. At Franco Jewellers on Collins Street, Melbourne, we take pieces that hold meaning and transform them into something you’ll reach for, wear with pride, and pass down with the same love they were given to you. It’s one of the most rewarding services we offer — and one of the most personal.
What Is Jewellery Remodelling?
Jewellery remodelling is the process of taking an existing piece — or multiple pieces — and redesigning them into something new. The gold is melted down and recast. The diamonds and gemstones are carefully removed, inspected, and reset. The sentimental material lives on; the design is entirely reimagined.
Remodelling is not the same as repair. Repair restores a piece to how it was. Remodelling transforms it into something it has never been before — a ring redesigned as a pendant, two thin inherited bands combined into one substantial ring, or a collection of loose stones brought together into a single, cohesive piece.
The result is jewellery that is genuinely new, genuinely yours, and genuinely meaningful.
Our Jewellery Remodelling Services
At Franco Jewellers, remodelling work is carried out entirely in-house by our master jeweller, who brings more than 25 years of experience to every project. There is no outsourcing, no unknown workshop, and no loss of control over quality or craftsmanship. You can see the studio. You can meet the person creating your piece. That transparency matters, particularly when the jewellery involved carries real sentimental weight.
Ring Redesign and Restyling
The most common remodelling request we receive is for rings — particularly inherited engagement rings or wedding bands from previous generations. The stones are often exceptional; the setting simply reflects the era in which they were made. We work with you to design a new setting that suits your personal style, whether that’s a clean modern solitaire, a delicate halo, or something entirely bespoke. Your diamond — the one that has been in your family for decades — takes centre stage in a ring designed around you.
Engagement Ring Resetting Melbourne
Resetting an engagement ring is one of the most emotionally significant remodelling projects we take on. Perhaps you’ve inherited a stone from a family member and want to wear it as your own engagement ring. Perhaps your original ring no longer reflects who you are, and you’d like to give it a new life without losing the diamond at its heart. Our master jeweller will assess the existing stone, discuss your design vision with Silvana or Daniela, and create a setting that honours both the stone’s history and your present-day style.
Heirloom Jewellery Redesign
Inherited jewellery deserves to be worn, not stored. When a piece holds genuine sentimental value but the design keeps it in a box, remodelling offers a meaningful solution. We work carefully with heirloom pieces — assessing the condition of stones and metal, discussing what the piece means to you, and designing something new that preserves that meaning while making the jewellery wearable and relevant to your life today.
Bespoke Gemstone Resetting
If you have loose stones — whether inherited, purchased separately, or removed from a piece you no longer wear — our master jeweller can design and create a new setting to showcase them. This includes diamonds of all shapes and sizes, coloured gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and pearls. A bespoke setting designed around your specific stone will always outperform a generic one; we take the time to understand the stone’s individual character before we begin the design conversation.
Combining Multiple Pieces
Sometimes the best solution is to bring several pieces together. A collection of thin gold rings combined into one substantial band. A cluster of small inherited stones reset into a pendant. Two mismatched earrings redesigned as a coordinated pair. We approach these projects with a designer’s eye and a craftsman’s precision, finding creative solutions that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Converting Jewellery Into New Forms
A brooch can become a pendant. A bracelet can become a ring. Earrings can be redesigned as a necklace. If you have a piece you love in concept but can’t wear in its current form, we’ll explore every option to transform it into something that fits your lifestyle — without losing the character that made it special in the first place.
The Remodelling Process at Franco Jewellers
We believe jewellery remodelling should feel collaborative, not clinical. You’re trusting us with something irreplaceable, and we take that responsibility seriously. Here is how the process typically works.
Initial consultation: You bring your piece — or pieces — into our boutique at Suite 904, 220 Collins Street. Silvana or Daniela will meet with you to understand the history behind the jewellery, what it means to you, and what you’d like it to become. There is no pressure, no obligation, and no rush. This conversation is the foundation of everything that follows.
Assessment: Our master jeweller assesses the condition of the existing metal and stones, checking settings for wear, evaluating stone quality, and identifying any structural considerations that will affect the redesign. This assessment informs what’s possible and ensures there are no surprises during the creation process.
Design: Once we understand your vision and the jewellery’s potential, we develop design concepts for your approval. For more complex projects, this may include CAD renderings so you can visualise the finished piece before any work begins. You provide feedback, ask questions, and refine the design until it’s exactly right.
Creation: Your piece is handcrafted in our on-site workshop by our master jeweller. We keep you updated throughout the process, and you’re welcome to check in on progress. The jewellery doesn’t leave our studio until it meets our quality standards — and yours.
Delivery and fitting: When your remodelled piece is complete, you come in to collect it in person. Seeing the finished result is always a moment worth experiencing. We provide aftercare guidance and remain available for any adjustments, cleaning, or future remodelling work.
Why Choose Franco Jewellers for Jewellery Remodelling in Melbourne?
There are jewellers in Melbourne who offer remodelling as an afterthought. At Franco Jewellers, it is one of our most valued services — and one we have been delivering with genuine care for over 58 years.
Our Italian heritage craftsmanship tradition means we approach every piece with the same precision and pride that Franco Ceresiani brought to his first Melbourne boutique in 1968. Silvana and Daniela, as second-generation owners who grew up surrounded by fine jewellery, understand instinctively what makes a piece of jewellery meaningful — and how to carry that meaning forward into a new design.
We also understand that handing over a sentimental piece of jewellery requires trust. That’s why every remodelling project is handled entirely in-house, from the first consultation through to the final polish. Nothing is sent away. Nothing is handled by people you haven’t met. The master jeweller creating your piece is the same person Silvana and Daniela trust with every custom ring, every bespoke commission, and every piece that leaves our workshop.
Our boutique is located on the 9th floor of the Manchester Unity Building — Melbourne’s iconic heritage Art Deco landmark on Collins Street. It’s an intimate, unhurried space, far removed from the noise and pressure of street-level retail. When you visit us to discuss your remodelling project, you’ll have the time and space to tell the story behind your jewellery, ask every question you need to, and feel genuinely confident in the process ahead.
What Our Customers Have to Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does jewellery remodelling cost in Melbourne?
The cost of remodelling depends on the complexity of the design, the amount of new metal required, the number of stones being reset, and the labour involved. Because every project is different, we provide individual quotes after the initial consultation and assessment. There are no hidden costs, and we don’t begin any work until you have approved the quote in writing.
Can you use my existing gold and stones?
Yes — and this is often the most significant part of the process. Your existing gold is melted down and incorporated into the new piece. Your diamonds and gemstones are carefully removed, assessed, and reset into the new design. In most cases, very little new material is needed, which can make remodelling a cost-effective way to create something entirely new.
How long does jewellery remodelling take?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the project and current workshop load. A straightforward ring redesign may take four to six weeks; more complex pieces with custom CAD design and multiple stones may take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you informed throughout the process.
Is my jewellery insured while it’s with you?
Yes. All jewellery left in our care is fully insured. We’ll provide you with a written receipt and condition report at drop-off, and your piece remains securely held in our Collins Street boutique throughout the process.
Do I need an appointment?
For remodelling consultations, we recommend booking an appointment to ensure you have dedicated time with Silvana or Daniela without interruption. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Saturday between 11am and 4pm, though appointment availability may vary. Sunday visits are by appointment only. You can book online or call us on (03) 9564 7755.
Bring Your Jewellery In for a Free Consultation
If you have jewellery that deserves to be worn again, we’d love to see it. Bring it into our Collins Street boutique and let us show you what’s possible. There’s no obligation and no pressure — just an honest conversation about your jewellery, what it means to you, and what it could become.
Book a complimentary consultation with Silvana or Daniela at Franco Jewellers, Suite 904, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne. Call us on (03) 9564 7755, email franco@franco.com.au, or book online at https://staging.franco.com.au/book-an-appointment/.
We also offer bespoke custom jewellery design for clients starting from scratch, as well as a full range of engagement rings and wedding rings handcrafted in our Melbourne studio.
Contact Information:
📍 Melbourne CBD Showroom (by appointment)
📞 Call: (03) 9650 5133
📧 Email: enquiries@franco.com.au
