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    Restoring Jewellery – Part One – Recutting a Diamond

    Jewellery has always been a symbol of status, power, and identity, and antique pieces are no exception. They were often worn by royalty, nobility and wealthy individuals, passed down through generations as heirlooms. As such, antique jewellery carries history that cannot be replicated. Recognising the value and rarity of antique jewellery requires a discerning eye, an appreciation for history and craftsmanship. Whether it is a delicate Art Nouveau pendant, a bold Victorian brooch, or a glittering Art Deco ring, antique jewellery is a treasure trove of beauty, history, and culture that deserves to be celebrated and cherished.

    There are many ways that antique jewellery can be restored sympathetically to the original state without losing its charm. One way to do this, as we will be discussing in this blog, is by repairing damaged Diamonds.

    Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional durability and resilience, but they are not completely invulnerable. Although they are one of the hardest materials on earth, Diamonds can still be chipped or scratched by other Diamonds or impact with a hard surface. Here at Hatton Jewels, we frequently see and purchase Diamond jewellery that has seen better days, but we endeavour to restore these significant pieces so they can be enjoyed and cherished for many more decades to come.

    In this blog, we will talk about the reasons behind restoring a Diamond, how it is done and some examples of what can be achieved.

    Why recut an old Diamond?

    There are several reasons why someone might choose to recut an old Diamond as the process can breathe new life into old Diamonds. Most commonly a Diamond is recut to repair damage and restore the stone. The recutting process can also potentially improve clarity and colour of the Diamond, but this is never guaranteed. Recutting a Diamond unavoidably leads to a lower carat weight as the process involves removing some of the damaged areas, so it’s important to balance the benefits over the drawback of weight loss.

    How is a Diamond recut?

    Diamond cutting is a highly skilled and specialised profession that requires years of training and experience. It is a delicate and precise process that must be done with great care and attention to detail to ensure that the Diamond is cut to the correct proportions and angles to maximize its brilliance and is done sympathetically to the original cutting style to retain the character and value. The process of recutting a diamond involves removing some of its weight by cutting away the rough edges using a series of polishing wheels, each with a progressively finer abrasive compound, until the Diamonds individual facets are beautifully finished.

    Restoring our 4.40ct Emerald Cut Diamond

    Old emerald cut diamonds are highly sought after by collectors and those who appreciate their classic, elegant look in vintage and antique jewellery.

    Old cut Diamonds are a window into the past, a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of bygone eras, and a symbol of the unique stories and experiences of its previous owners.

    We purchased a lovely 4.40ct old Emerald cut Diamond and despite its evident wear and tear, including multiple sizeable chips on the girdle, which is the edge of the Diamond, and a few on the table, which is its top surface, we were instantly drawn to its potential and were excited to restore it to its former glory.

    The emerald cut Diamond cutting style has been around for centuries and was first used in the cutting of Emeralds. The cut was later adapted to Diamonds and became popular during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s, with the Diamonds being rectangular in shape with truncated corners and step-cut facets. It was this old Emerald cut Diamond cutting style we wanted to retain in our gorgeous original 1930’s 4.40ct Diamond.

    Here are before and after images of our exquisite old Emerald cut Diamond, which has been carefully restored to its original splendour. The transformation is remarkable, and we are delighted with the results.

    If you have any antique jewellery you may wish to sell, Hatton Jewels' highly trained team are dedicated to giving you the best possible price for any unwanted items, with the expertise to restore pieces to keep its unique story going. Email us on info@hattonjewels.com or give us a call on 0203 116 0069 and speak to one of our friendly, expert members of staff who can offer guidance and advise on the process

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    Hatton Jewels,
    5 Hatton Place,
    London,
    EC1N 8RU
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    These terms and conditions relate to the use of Hattonjewels.com website and any purchase from Hatton Jewels Ltd, Registration Number: 06241877, and whose Registered Office Address is 57-59 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5BU

    Ordering

    All orders for Goods shall be deemed to be an offer by the Buyer to purchase Goods pursuant to these Terms and Conditions and are subject to acceptance by Hatton Jewels Ltd. Hatton Jewels may choose not to accept an order for any reason.

    When the item you wish to purchase is not available from stock you will be notified and given the option to either wait until the Goods are available from stock or cancel the order and receive a full refund within 30 days.

    Bespoke Items

    Items that are manufactured from our Build Your Own Rings range are not eligible for a full refund however a life time credit note will be issued for the full value of the item. If the item you received was a special order for a non-standard ring size* or if you ordered a Bespoke Item made to order, we regret that it can only be able to return it to us if it is faulty, as it will have been specially made and cannot be resold. *Standard Rings Sizes - Ladies I - O, Gents L - V

    Cancellation & Return

    We are confident you will be delighted with your Hatton Jewels purchase.

    However, you do have the option of returning items to us within 30 days of receipt for a full refund or exchange if you decide that the item is not right for you or the goods are faulty. We regret that we cannot offer refunds or exchanges on goods that have been worn, damaged or have had any alterations by a third party. Returned items can only be accepted if they are:

  • In the same condition they were received
  • With all original paperwork and documents
  • In the original packaging
  • Via the returns procedure detailed below
  • Failure to do so will result in the item being returned to you. Please complete the following procedure should you decide to make a return.
  • Call us on 0203 116 0069 or e-mail info@hattonjewels.com within 30 days from the receipt of your purchase. We will give you a unique authorisation code which you must write on the original invoice which you need to include in the package.

    Address your package to Hatton J Ltd, 5 Hatton Place, London, EC1N 8RU. For security reasons please do not write ‘Jewels’ anywhere on the outside of the package.

    Post the parcel using the Special Delivery service available at the post office. We recommend that you obtain proof of posting. We cannot be held responsible for any items that are lost in transit.

    Once your package has been received by Hatton Jewels Ltd it will be assessed to verify that the item has been returned in the original condition. Once verified a full refund or exchange will then be issued.

    Delivery

    Every effort is made to deliver your purchase as swiftly as possible. You will be sent a confirmation of delivery date at the time your order is confirmed.

    For items that are in stock we aim to deliver to you within 5-7 days. If we cannot deliver within the agreed time we will notify you immediately and with your agreement arrange an alternative date. Items listed under 'Express Delivery' are items which are currently in stock and can be delivered within 5-7 days. Depending on the rate at which the payment clears, we might be able to deliver it to you sooner.

    All items dispatched are fully covered by insurance whilst in transit, and must be signed for on delivery. At this point they become the property of the purchaser and our insurance no longer applies. Please be satisfied that the parcel has in no way been tampered with in transit before accepting delivery.

    Hatton Jewels Ltd shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform any of its obligations or promises if the delay or failure results from events or circumstances outside its reasonable control.

    Information on our website

    Whilst we make every attempt to ensure that our online catalogue is as accurate as possible errors can occur. Prices are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed upon receipt of your order. We may alter images for presentation purposes. Colour and size may vary slightly due to different monitors.

    If a product is not in stock and we are able to replicate it, this does not apply to antique pieces, Hatton Jewels guarantee the carat weight listed on the product as minimum and guarantee the same quality of gemstone, metal and workmanship for the order placed.

    Lifetime Warranty

    All Hatton Jewels handmade pieces come complete with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty that covers any manufacturing defects and any necessary repair will be conducted free of charge under the following terms and conditions:

  • The item is identified by our production department as being defective as a result of a manufacturing default.
  • The item has not had any damage as a result of mishandling or Inappropriate impact (eg. knocks, dents or pressure), and has had no alteration, manipulation, repair or care by a service provider apart from ourselves or is the consequence of normal wear and tear.
  • Proof of purchase must be presented.
  • This does not apply on antique pieces or signed jewellery.
  • In order to ensure all stones are secure within your piece we advise having your piece checked by a jeweller at regular intervals.

    If purchased from ourselves even if not covered by guarantee we endeavour to resolve at the lowest price possible

    Repairs and Alterations

    All repairs on jewellery that has not been purchased through Hatton Jewels are completed at the customer’s risk. We will guarantee the specific work we complete for 1 year.

    Complaints

    If you have a complaint or concern please contact:

    Hatton Jewels Ltd

    5 Hatton Place
    London
    EC1N 8RU
    Tel: 0203 116 0069
    e-mail : info@hattonjewels.com