How to Make Items From Old Jewelry

Vintage jewelry can be acquired by thrift shopping, a gift received, or inherited from a family member. Vintage, or old jewelry, can be converted to give it a new look. A vintage brooch may be more your style as a necklace, while a vintage earring can be changed into a cocktail ring. With several tools and creative vision, a vintage piece can become a new piece of jewelry for you to wear daily or to an event.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pliers
• E6000 glue
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Bail
• Chain
• Adjustable ring blank
• Toothpick

Brooch to Necklace

1. Remove the pin backing from the back of a brooch. Use pliers to gently move the backing back and forth until the glue loosens. Soak the brooch in water or apply a product like Goo Gone if the jewelry seems that it will crack from too much pulling because the glue is still strong.

2. Sand the back of the brooch lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper.

3. Glue a bail onto the top and center of the back of the brooch.

4. Allow glue to dry, and thread the chain through the bail. Start with the small side of the chain that fits through the bail and center on the chain.

Earring to Ring

5. Repeat the first two steps above to remove the stud or clip on the back of the earring.

6. Glue the earring onto the adjustable ring blank.

7. Remove any glue excess with a toothpick.

8. Adjust the size of the ring to your finger once the glue dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Adhere a jump ring to each of the sides of the pin back when it is still attached to avoid altering the jewelry so it can be worn as a necklace and a brooch. Make two rings with a pair of earrings and give one to a sister or mother if the jewelry is a family heirloom.
• Work in a well-ventilated area when using glue.

Resources

• Jewelry Bails
• Ring Blanks
• E6000 Glue