Give your jewelry a new lease on life

Give your jewelry a second life

An old, broken, or unworn piece of jewelry sometimes simply deserves to be reinvented.

Using your gold, silver, or stones, I design a new, entirely custom creation with you. Together, we imagine a piece of jewelry that respects its history while adapting to your desires and style.

Why transform your jewelry?

Preserve their sentimental value by keeping a precious memory.

Create a unique piece of jewelry, specially designed for you.

Adopt a responsible approach by reusing existing materials.

Reduce the cost of raw materials by reusing your gold, silver, and, when possible, your stones.

Don't let your old jewelry languish in a drawer. Give them a new life through a unique handcrafted creation that you'll enjoy wearing for many years to come.

Nothing is lost, everything changes

A new life for your precious metals:

Gold and silver are precious metals that can be recycled indefinitely without losing their qualities.

When you entrust me with your old jewelry, the precious metals are sent to a specialized refining channel. There, they are purified and then recycled with other precious metals from various recycling sources. The resulting metal is then re-alloyed to meet the legal standards in force (750/1000 gold – 18 carat or 925/1000 silver).

This process is essential to guarantee a metal that complies with legal standards for jewelry. It allows for an alloy with a certified fineness that is perfectly suited for the creation of a new piece of jewelry.

The metal used to create your new piece is therefore not, from a technical point of view, exactly that of your original jewelry. However, you will find the same quantity of precious metal, in a recycled, certified form, ready to give birth to a lasting piece of jewelry.

In certain cases, and upon specific request, it is possible to consider a transformation by exclusively reusing the metal you entrust to me. However, this solution depends on the nature of the metal, its condition and quantity in grams, and technical constraints.

What is the process?

Do you want to know if your jewelry is made of precious metal?

Before sending your jewelry to the workshop, I invite you to check if it has a hallmark. This usually allows identifying jewelry made of precious metal. You may notably find:

A guarantee hallmark, which certifies the legal fineness of the precious metal (for example, for 18-carat gold, it is generally an eagle's head);

A maker's mark, in a diamond shape containing the initials or symbol of the manufacturer, which identifies the professional responsible for the manufacture or marketing of the jewelry.

The presence of these hallmarks is an initial indication of the nature of the metal (gold, silver, platinum, etc.), but it does not replace an expert appraisal carried out at the workshop.

To help you, you can download the hallmark chart, which will allow you to perform an initial identification of your jewelry before sending it.

The absence of a hallmark does not necessarily mean that a piece of jewelry is not made of precious metal. Some antique, foreign, or very worn jewelry may no longer have a visible mark. In this case, an expert appraisal will be carried out at the workshop to accurately determine its composition.

The appraisal is free. However, shipping costs to the workshop and return shipping costs remain entirely your responsibility.

Once your jewelry has been received at the workshop

Shipping arrangements will be communicated to you to ensure the safest possible transport.

Each piece is carefully inspected to verify the nature of the materials, their alloy, and their fineness. If necessary, the jewelry is cleaned and then weighed on a certified scale. A photographic record is also made to ensure complete transparency.

With your agreement, if your jewelry includes stones, these can be delicately unset before any operation. Indeed, stones are not included in the weight of precious metals. They are therefore removed before potential cleaning and weighing, to precisely determine the amount of metal actually available.

Once the materials are identified, the quantity of reusable metal is evaluated, taking into account material losses inherent in the various manufacturing stages (cleaning, melting, refining, and metalwork). The value of the recoverable metal is then calculated and deducted from the cost of your future creation, so that only complementary materials and manufacturing labor are invoiced.

After quote validation, I will request a copy of your identity document as well as a sworn statement specifying the origin of the jewelry (inheritance, gift, purchase, etc.), dated and signed. This step, required by regulations applicable to professionals working with precious metals, ensures perfect traceability. These documents are kept by the workshop and may be presented in case of inspection by competent authorities.

FAQ

Please note:

The jewelry is made, at your choice, of:

925 sterling silver (92.5% purity).

vermeil (Solid silver plated with 18 carat gold, gold finish).

750/1000 gold (18 carats), rose, white or yellow.

(Learn more about metals and their properties)

The exact weight of each creation is indicated on the certificate of authenticity included with your order.

French guarantee: official hallmarks and maker's mark:

In France:

silver jewelry weighing more than 30 g is subject to official control and receives the guarantee hallmark, the Minerva Head, attesting to the purity and quality of the metal.

Gold jewelry weighing more than 3 g receives the guarantee hallmark, the Eagle Head, an official symbol validated by French customs.

Before your jewelry is sent, a mandatory customs control may be required depending on its weight and material. This control incurs additional costs including sending to customs, return to the workshop, repolishing after the hallmark (Minerva Head or Eagle Head) is affixed, then final shipment to the address indicated on the quote.

These costs are variable and a flat rate is applied to cover these shipments, indicated on one of the last lines of the quote.

Each piece bears the maker's mark, a guarantee of authenticity and quality.(Learn more →)

The price of a custom piece depends on several factors:

The chosen metal and the price of precious metals at the time of order, dimensions, weight, selected stones (quality, rarity, origin), manufacturing technique and time, complexity of the project, as well as the cost of materials and components required for its creation.

Some services may require the involvement of specialized partners (vermeil gilding, lost wax casting...), so subcontracting costs may also be included in the final price.

Here are some guidelines to help you:

Solid Silver Jewelry:

Small projects
From €85 incl. VAT. (Piercing, very thin ring or other small creation, without stone to set).

For rings, pendants, necklaces, sautoirs, bracelets, and earrings entirely handmade in solid metal in the workshop:
From €150 to €450 incl. VAT. This price generally includes: Light engravings and textures, simple symbols, artisanal modeling, 1 to 3 main elements, Any type of setting. For more complex requests or projects requiring special study, 3D modeling can be offered on a case-by-case basis.

For rings, signet rings, and creations requiring more complex work, wax modeling will be necessary (lost wax casting process):
From €250 to €550 incl. VAT. The model is first hand-sculpted in wax before being cast in metal, then entirely reworked and finished in the workshop. This technique allows for the creation of: complex volumes, detailed reliefs, personalized motifs, unique custom creations. Casting fees, carried out by a specialized provider, are included in your project quote. A preliminary quote is requested from the foundry to establish an accurate estimate.

Forged signet ring (solid)
From €450 incl. VAT. The signet ring is shaped directly from raw metal using traditional jewelry techniques. This method offers: High precision of execution, excellent durability, a piece of jewelry designed to last for years and be passed down. This price includes simple to moderate engraving of the plate as well as some common customizations, including stone setting according to standard configurations. Complex engravings or any specific requests will be subject to an additional quote.

Vermeil Jewelry:

From €190 incl. VAT

Vermeil is an excellent alternative to solid gold for those who wish to enjoy the elegance of gold-plated jewelry while managing their budget.

The jewelry is first handmade in 925 solid silver in the workshop, then covered with an 18-carat gold layer with a minimum thickness of 5 microns, in accordance with French vermeil regulations.

It combines the robustness of solid silver with the warmth and brilliance of gold, while remaining more accessible than a piece of jewelry entirely made of gold. Thanks to its 925 solid silver base, it can also be transformed, repaired, or recycled over time, giving it true durability.

Vermeil is available upon request. The price includes the intervention of a specialized gilding workshop, guaranteeing a quality finish in accordance with vermeil requirements.

18K Gold Jewelry

Pendants / necklaces / bracelets or earrings: from €760 incl. VAT

Sautoirs: from €1,000 incl. VAT

Fine, simple, engraved, or set ring: from €1,200 incl. VAT

For creations requiring more complex work (wax modeling or 3D modeling with lost wax casting process): Prices start from €1,800 incl. VAT.

Some gold projects can exceed €4,000 to €5,000 incl. VAT, depending on several parameters: the volume of the piece, the technique used (solid work or lost wax casting), the price of gold, its color and alloy (18 or 24 carats), as well as the choice of stones and supplier prices.

The more qualitative, rare, or specific (colors, size, origin) the selected stones are, the more their value can influence the final price of the project.

3D modeling is offered on a case-by-case basis.

Do you own antique (or modern) jewelry, gold, silver, gemstones, or pearls that you wish to transform?

If the materials you entrust to me are sufficient to fully create your future piece of jewelry, only the manufacturing will be charged.

Custom creation prices:

• Sterling Silver (925): starting from €150

• Gold: starting from €600

If the precious metals provided are not sufficient to complete the desired project, a buy-back of your materials can be considered, subject to their nature, condition, and weight. The value retained can then be deducted from the cost of the additional materials needed for the manufacture of your jewelry. This valuation is carried out taking into account material losses and technical costs inherent in the transformation, melting, refining, and manufacturing operations specific to the jeweler's trade.

Entrusted jewelry remains your responsibility until it arrives at the workshop. Shipping instructions will be communicated to you to ensure the safest possible transport. Upon receipt, each piece is inspected to verify the nature of the materials, their alloy, and their fineness. The jewelry is then cleaned if necessary, then weighed on a certified scale (with photo proof). Once the materials are identified, a proposal for transformation or repurchase can be presented to you as part of your project.

This section gathers all additional information to better understand how your jewelry transformations work.

The specific terms applicable to your project will be detailed in the personalized quote that will be sent to you. I also invite you to consult the General Terms and Conditions of Sale (GTC), available here: [GTC].

The indicated price may vary depending on the rise or fall in metal prices on the day the quote is established.

Payment can be made either by a 60% deposit (bank transfer only, the remaining balance to be paid before the jewelry is shipped), or in full. In both cases, payment confirms the start of production for your project. Full payment can be made by credit card, PayPal 4x interest-free* or Klarna* (*subject to eligibility according to their criteria).

1 - If you wish to pay for your project in installments, simply let me know. I will send you a secure payment link, via my website (available here), allowing you to benefit from the installment payment solutions offered by PayPal or Klarna (subject to eligibility).

2 - The payment is considered as full payment for the workshop. The full amount indicated on the quote is due; only its payment is spread out by the payment provider, according to the terms you accept when validating your order on ludabijouxfr. If you wish to benefit from interest-free installment payments, please request it. The quote must be signed before sending the corresponding payment link, which will be specially created for your custom project.

3 - Subject to the validation of your installment payment request by the relevant organization, they will handle the payment schedule according to their own conditions. Your project can then be put into production, and your creation will be shipped according to the terms indicated in the FAQ, available right here.

Custom project: 2 to 6 weeks processing time, then shipped within 1 to 4 business days.

Secure delivery via Colissimo, with tracking number communicated by email upon shipment (please check your spam folder).

Packaging is meticulous and robust, designed to protect your jewelry during transport. (Learn more →)

(If you wish to offer jewelry for a specific date, please allow for manufacturing and delivery times.)

Custom orders cannot be exchanged or refunded, in accordance with article L221-28 of the French Consumer Code.

Guides:

I can design and manufacture most types of custom jewelry: If you have a specific project or type of jewelry not listed here, please do not hesitate to contact me. Each request is carefully considered to bring to life a unique creation, entirely tailored to your desires.

The workshop primarily works with precious metals: 750/1000 gold (18-karat), 925 silver (sterling silver), and vermeil (sterling silver plated with 18-karat gold, gold finish). Gold-plated brass jewelry available upon request.

Hand jewelry

Ring
Wedding band
Engagement ring
Signet ring

Ear jewelry

Earrings
Ear cuff (no piercing required)
Clip-on earrings (for unpierced ears).

Neck jewelry

Necklace
Pendant
Choker
Long necklace
Medallion

Wrist and arm jewelry

Bracelet
Cuff

Ankle jewelry

Anklet

Decorative jewelry

Brooch
Pin
Cufflinks
Tie pin
Tie clip

Head and hair jewelry

Hair comb
Hairpin
Tiara
Crown
Hair stick

Body jewelry

Navel jewelry
Nose jewelry
Lip jewelry
Toe ring
Waist chain

Do you dream of a unique piece of jewelry, but your project is still undefined? Do you not know where to start?

No problem! That's precisely the purpose of the 6 illustrated technical guides. They were designed to help you prepare your project before submitting your custom creation request.

Whether you already have a precise idea or just a desire without knowing how to bring it to life, these guides will allow you to discover the different possibilities available to you and approach your project with greater peace of mind. You will thus be able to refine your choices before submitting your custom creation request.

How to access them?

Simply scroll down this page just below this F.A.Q, then enter your first name and email address. You will immediately receive your guides by email and can consult them at your leisure, at your own pace, to take the time to define your project.

(Rest assured, you will not receive any other emails without your consent).

The size guide will help you take your measurements accurately and choose the ideal size for your ring, bracelet, or necklace.

You will also find practical tips and blog articles designed to help you make the best choice with complete peace of mind.

Contact:

If you wish to speak verbally, it is entirely possible to arrange a telephone appointment. Simply specify this when making your request via the personalized form, also indicating your availability and the time slots that suit you best.

This exchange will allow us to discuss your project in detail, answer all your questions, and guide you in the design of your future creation.

For any additional information you wish to provide or for any questions, you can also contact me by email at the following address:

ludabijoux@gmail.com

(+33) 06 41 24 91 70

As each project is carefully studied, I will take the time to review your request as quickly as possible before suggesting a suitable appointment.

My workshop is not open to the public, and I do not receive clients on-site.

My entire custom design service is designed to be carried out entirely remotely. From our initial discussions to project validation, including sketches, quotes, and production monitoring, everything can be done via email, phone, or video conference, wherever you are in France or abroad.

If you live outside of France, your project can also be completed remotely. Shipping arrangements, delivery costs, potential customs duties, and the specific formalities for your country will be discussed with you before any order validation, in order to offer you the most suitable solution.

If you live in the Dinan area (22100, Brittany) and wish to meet in person, an appointment can be arranged upon request. We can meet to discuss your project, examine any jewelry or stones you wish to transform, take the necessary measurements for your piece, or proceed with the hand-delivery of your creation once it is finished.

Appointments take place in a quiet and easily accessible location in Dinan. The exact address will be provided to you upon confirmation of the appointment.

Prepare your project with illustrated technical guides:

📘 6 CUSTOM GUIDES

Understand what I offer, clarify your needs, and precisely define your project.

Get immediate access to the essentials:

Material Guide: Silver, vermeil, 18k gold, and gold-plated brass.

Types of profiles, cross-sections, and ring styles: Discover the different shapes, volumes, and their daily comfort, as well as the various existing ring styles and the types of finishes available: mirror polish, matte, patinated, etc.

Engraving options to personalize your jewelry: inside the ring, on a plate, or for adding a small word/initials using letter punches.

Setting: Precious and semi-precious stones: Learn to identify stones, their shapes, sizes, and colors, and understand their prices. Discover the different types of settings I can create.

Mounting and attachment elements: Discover the different chain styles I offer. Also explore complementary options: universal clasps, pendant supports (bails), earring attachments, and safety chains.