STEVEN JAMES FAQS

Clarity. Care. Craftsmanship. Legacy.

Steven James Jeweller – Frequently Asked Questions

 

Clarity. Care. Craftsmanship. Legacy.

 

About Legacy Jewellery-

 

What is legacy jewellery?

Legacy jewellery is jewellery created from sentimental materials — inherited jewellery, family gold, heirloom stones, and meaningful pieces — transformed into new designs that preserve emotional history while creating future heirlooms.

 

Is legacy jewellery bespoke?

Yes. Every legacy piece is individually designed and handcrafted. We do not use catalogue designs, moulds, or mass-production processes.

 

Is this different from remodelling or recycling jewellery?

Yes. Legacy jewellery is not simply remodelling — it is story-led design. It honours emotional history, symbolism, and future legacy, not just materials.

 

Materials & Heirlooms-

 

Can you use inherited jewellery?

Yes — we specialise in transforming inherited and sentimental jewellery into meaningful legacy pieces.

 

Do you work with family gold and heirloom stones?

Yes. We carefully assess inherited gold, diamonds, and gemstones to determine how they can be ethically and beautifully reused.

 

What if my jewellery is damaged or very old?

This is very common. Materials are professionally assessed for suitability, structural integrity, and safe transformation.

 

Can multiple pieces be combined into one design?

Yes — many legacy designs combine multiple heirloom items into a single meaningful piece.

 

Design & Craftsmanship-

 

Are your pieces handcrafted?

Yes. All legacy jewellery is handcrafted using heirloom-grade craftsmanship and traditional techniques combined with modern precision.

 

Do you offer casting or moulded designs?

No. We do not offer mass-produced, resin-cast, or mould-based jewellery.

 

Are your designs structurally permanent?

Yes. Structural integrity, longevity, and generational durability are core to every design.

 

Will my piece be suitable for everyday wear?

Yes. Our legacy jewellery is engineered for lifetime wear.

 

Memorial Jewellery-

 

Do you offer memorial jewellery?

Yes — we create heirloom-quality memorial jewellery designed to honour loved ones with dignity, permanence, and care.

 

How are memorial materials handled?

With absolute respect, sensitivity, and professionalism. Memorial materials are treated with the highest level of care and discretion.

 

Is memorial jewellery durable?

Yes — our memorial designs are structurally permanent and created for long-term wear.

 

Engagement & Wedding Legacy-

 

Do you create legacy engagement rings?

Yes — we specialise in legacy engagement rings using inherited jewellery and sentimental materials.

 

Do you create legacy wedding rings?

Yes — wedding rings created from heirloom materials are a core part of our legacy service.

 

Can family gold and stones be used in engagement rings?

Yes — inherited gold and heirloom stones are often transformed into meaningful engagement and wedding pieces.

 

Process & Consultation-

 

How do I begin?

Begin by booking a Legacy Consultation, where we listen to your story and begin the design journey.

 

What happens in a consultation?

We discuss your story, assess materials, explore design direction, and define the legacy creation pathway.

 

Is there a design concept fee?

Yes. A design concept fee applies to the design development stage.

This fee is fully deducted from your final commission if you proceed.

 

Am I committed after the consultation?

No. There is no obligation — the consultation is about understanding, guidance, and clarity.

 

Timescales & Process-

 

How long does a legacy piece take to create?

Timescales vary depending on complexity and materials, but all legacy pieces are created with care rather than speed.

 

Can you work to a specific date?

We will always discuss timelines honestly and transparently during consultation.

 

Values & Positioning-

 

Do you offer lower-cost or mass-produced options?

No. We focus exclusively on signature heirloom designs and legacy craftsmanship.

 

Why don’t you offer cheaper cast designs?

Because our focus is on permanence, legacy, and heirloom quality — not mass production.

 

Is this service right for everyone?

Legacy jewellery is for those who value meaning, permanence, craftsmanship, and emotional significance. It may not suit those seeking fast fashion or mass-produced jewellery.

 

Care & Legacy-

 

How should legacy jewellery be cared for?

We provide long-term care guidance to ensure your piece remains beautiful for generations.

 

Will my piece last generations?

Yes — legacy jewellery is designed and built with generational wear in mind.

 

Every legacy piece is created with:

  • Care
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Craftsmanship
  • Emotional understanding
  • Structural permanence
  • Heirloom values
  • Legacy intention

 

Because legacy jewellery is not just worn —

it is carried forward.

Frequently Asked Questions-

1WHICH MATERIALS CAN BE USED FOR REINVENTION?
I can reinvent the following materials-

* Sterling silver 925

* 9k, 18k, 24k golds (yellow, white and rose)

I can also incorporate your own wood or gemstones
2WHICH TYPES OF JEWELLERY CAN BE REINVENTED?
I can reinvent the following jewellery items-

* Rings

* Pendants

* Bracelets

* Bangles

* Chains

* Earrings

* Charms

* Brooches

* Tie pins

* Cufflinks

PLEASE NOTE- ALL OF THE ABOVE MUST BE IN THE MATERIALS LISTED PREVIOUSLY.
3HOW MANY GRAMS OF JEWELLERY DO I NEED TO WORK WITH?
I can work with as little as 1g of jewellery, it will just mean that more silver/gold will be needed to be added which will reflect in the cost.
4HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Each job is priced individually dependant on how much silver/gold you have and the type of design you chose for your final piece. I have a reinvention catalogue that gives an indication of prices depending on your jewellery weight, however custom designs require a bespoke quote.
5HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Again, this is dependant on the type of design you choose. On average it takes around 4-6 weeks for plain designs and 6-8 weeks for more intricate designs.
6WHERE AM I BASED?
I am based in Portsmouth, Hampshire-UK.
7CAN YOU SEE STEP BY STEP HOW YOUR JEWELLERY IS REINVENTED?
Yes. I record the entire process in photo's and videos and share it on my social media platforms for you to watch (see below for examples), but if you do not have social media I will email the video to you.
8CAN I INCORPORATE CREMATION ASHES INTO REINVENTED DESIGNS?
Yes, with specific designs I can incorporate cremation ashes. All I require is a small token amount for each design. I can also include multi ashes in designs. On placing a memorial reinvention order an ashes pack will be generated and sent to you for you to send your jewellery and ashes to us.
9WHY IS REINVENTED JEWELLERY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN STANDARD JEWELLERY?
Reinventing jewellery is a more complex process than making standard jewellery pieces, and there are more steps to it. For example- before I can even begin to make the final design I am required to clean the jewellery, extract any stones or pinch bails it may have, then I have to melt the jewellery into a bar which is then put through the milling machine to make the required size bar/strip to begin making the design.