Remodelling & Trade-In FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: Remodelling & Trade-In
Valuation & Trade-In
What is the difference between a trade-in value and an appraisal?
An appraisal (or valuation) reflects the replacement cost of a piece — what it would cost to recreate or insure it today. A trade-in value is the amount Imp Jewellery can credit you toward a new piece or remodelling project, based on the intrinsic value of the metal (its weight and current gold spot price) and the quality of any gemstones present. Trade-in value is typically lower than an appraisal figure because the appraisal includes craftsmanship, retail margin, and other factors that cannot be recovered when a piece is melted down or repurposed.
Does the trade-in value change over time?
Yes. Because gold and platinum are priced against live commodity markets, the credit offered for your metal can vary from week to week. We recommend booking an assessment when you are ready to proceed so we can give you an up-to-date figure.
Can I use a combination of trade-in credit and payment?
Absolutely. Many clients bring in existing jewellery to offset part of the cost of a new or remodelled piece. Your assessment will outline exactly how much credit your pieces carry and what any remaining balance would be.
What Can Be Reused or Remounted
Which metals can be reused in a remodelling project?
We work with yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum. The suitability of your metal for reuse depends on its purity (carat) and condition, which we assess during your consultation. Although we generally prefer top trade in your old gold and use fresh gold as there are no impurities that can cause problems like cracking when re used.
Which gemstones can be reset or remounted?
Most diamonds and many coloured gemstones — including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds — can be carefully removed and set into a new piece. Stones are assessed individually: we check for existing chips, inclusions near the girdle, or prior damage that could make resetting risky. We will always advise you honestly if a stone is not a good candidate for remounting. Colored gemstones, not being as hard as diamonds, can be come worn over time. We may suggest having the stone repolished to bring it up like new.
What happens if my stone cannot be reused?
If a gemstone cannot safely be reset, we will explain why and discuss alternatives — such as sourcing a replacement stone of similar character, or incorporating your original stone in a different way (for example, as a pendant rather than a ring).
Process & Timelines
What does the remodelling process look like?
A typical remodelling project at Imp Jewellery follows these steps:
- Assessment — Bring your existing piece(s) to us for evaluation. We assess metal content, gemstone condition, and discuss your vision.
- Design consultation — We work with you to develop the design, whether that means adapting an existing style or creating something entirely new.
- Quote & approval — We quote covering all costs before any work begins. No work proceeds without your sign-off.
- Crafting — Our jewellers carry out the remodel in house.
- Quality check & handover — The finished piece is inspected and then presented to you for collection.
How long does a remodelling project take?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the design and current workshop demand. Simple remounts or repairs may be completed more quickly, while bespoke remodels involving custom casting typically take longer. We will give you a realistic timeframe at the quote stage so you can plan accordingly.
Will my jewellery leave your premises during the process?
All remodelling work is carried out in our onsite atelier. We do not send your jewellery interstate or overseas.
What You Receive
What will I receive when the project is complete?
You will receive your finished, remodelled piece along with any documentation relevant to the new design. If your piece includes a significant gemstone, we recommend arranging an updated insurance valuation once the remodel is complete — we can advise you on this at handover.
Requesting an Assessment
How do I request a remodelling or trade-in assessment?
The best first step is to visit our Remodelling & Trade-In page and get in touch with us directly. Assessments are conducted in person at our Toorak boutique so we can examine your pieces properly. Please bring any existing valuations or documentation you have, as these can be helpful context — though they are not required.
Is there a fee for an initial assessment?
Please contact us to confirm current assessment arrangements, as this may vary depending on the nature of your enquiry.
Do I need to bring the whole piece, or just the stone?
We recommend bringing the complete piece wherever possible. Seeing the full item — setting, metal, and stone together — gives us the most accurate picture of what can be reused and how best to proceed.