A Walk-Through of the Stages of a CMD Reconstruction Project

 
If you’ve been thinking about transforming old or inherited heirloom jewelry into something new, I know it can come with a lot of questions. What happens to your pieces? How long does it take? When do you make decisions?

I want to walk you through exactly what a reconstruction project looks like at CMD — step by step — so you know what to expect and feel fully supported from the very beginning.
 

Stage 1: Before We Meet — Setting the Foundation

Before our first appointment (virtual or in person), I’ll send you a blog or two that helps outline general pricing and what to expect. Reconstruction projects can vary widely depending on materials and design, but this gives you a helpful starting point.

You’ll also receive an invoice for a $250 deposit, which goes directly toward your finished piece. Taking care of this ahead of time allows us to fully focus on the creative process when we meet — no distractions, just design.
 

Stage 2: Our First Meeting — Exploring Possibilities

This is where creativity begins. We’ll sit down together and look at the piece(s) you’re ready to re-imagine. I can guide you with the vision through quick sketches and showing you samples of other pieces and previous projects.

If we’re meeting virtually, I’ll show you pieces on camera and often text photos and videos in real time so you can see scale and detail more clearly.

At this stage, we’re simply getting aligned.
 

Stage 3: Deconstruction — With Your Full Consent

When you’re ready to move forward, I’ll take your pieces into my care. Before anything happens, you’ll sign a deconstruction waiver and I'll take photos of your original pieces. The waiver outlines the inherent risks and ensures you understand the process. We handle every piece with the utmost care, but setting, resetting, or removing stones from heirloom or previously worn jewelry involves inherent risks. These risks include the loosening, chipping, cracking, or breaking of stones, particularly if they have inclusions, fractures, or have been damaged previously.

From there, I securely send your pieces to our studio in New York and my team carefully deconstructs them. At this point, we look for markings to identify materials (metals, stones, stamps, etc.) and carefully set aside stones until later stages.
 

Stage 4: Materials Breakdown — Your First Checkpoint

Once your pieces are deconstructed, I’ll reconnect with you and you’ll receive a breakdown of the types of materials and the weight or size of each.

Below is an example pulled from a real project with one of our clients. This info will be given to you after we deconstruct your pieces.

Materials:

14k white gold (stamped): 2.8 dwt (pennyweight)

Stones:

Diamonds: 3 total all slightly chipped and irregular but usable
2.19mm
3.13mm
3.84mm

My best guesstimate is that you’ll get $234 CMD Store Credit once we recycle your pieces (which is approximately 60% of the value)

At this stage, nothing has been recycled yet — until we get a thumb’s-up from you.
 

Stage 5: Recycling Approval — A Clear Decision Point

Once you’re ready to recycle your metal, you’ll sign a second waiver acknowledging that once your materials are sent off, they cannot be returned in their original form. I often describe this like throwing an aluminum bottle into a recycling bin — once it’s recycled, you’ll never see that same can again. Our vendor uses X-Ray Fluorescence technology to determine exact material value. Once recycled, I'll reach out to let you know the final credit amount. This whole part of the process takes about 7–21 business days. Once the design is finalized, we will use this credit to purchase new materials on your behalf, using the recycled metal credit.
 

Stage 6: Design & Quoting — Bringing It to Life

While the recycling process is underway, I begin working with your stone measurements to confirm all the specifications of your new piece. This is where everything starts to take shape.

I’ll send you design direction and/or sketches for you to review. These will all be based on our initial design meeting. Consider this part the fine tuning of the design. You will also receive a detailed quote for your finished piece and your $250 deposit and recycling credit are applied here.

If you’d like anything adjusted — design, scale, or price point — we refine it before moving forward.

Nothing is finalized or put into production until you feel confident and happy with the design.

  

Stage 7: Design Approval — The Green Light

This is one of the most important moments in the process.

Before we order materials or give my team the go-ahead to start production, you will have approved the design, the materials, and the total cost. We also require payment in full at this stage.
 

Stage 8: Production — Crafting Your Piece

Once approved and the invoice is paid, we order any materials needed and production officially begins in our New York studio.

Depending on the project, this process may include wax modeling (in some cases), fabrication, and stone setting.
 

 
Throughout this stage, I stay in touch — whether that’s via text, email, or a quick call. I love having touch points throughout the process. Of course, I’ll ask your preference on communication methods during our first meetings and we're able to adjust as we go. I want this to feel easy and natural for you!
 

Stage 9: Ongoing Check-Ins — You’re Never in the Dark

One of the most important things to know:

You will hear from me at every stage — whether it’s a quick update, a design check-in, a photo or video of the production process, or a question that requires your input.

This is a collaborative process. I’m here to guide you, but rest assured that you’re part of every decision.
 

Stage 10: Your Finished Piece — A New Chapter

At the end of this process, you receive something entirely new — but made from something that already held meaning. That’s what I love most about reconstruction.
 

 
It’s not just about making a beautiful piece. It’s about carrying something forward in a way that feels aligned with who you are now.
 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been hesitating because you’re unsure how it works, I hope this gives you clarity and peace of mind. This is a process, yes. But it’s one I walk you through step by step. You’re never guessing what’s going to happen next. You’re never left out of a decision and nothing happens without your approval.

If you’re ready to begin, I’d love to work with you.

Do you have a piece and ready to go? Book an appointment and let’s start shaping something meaningful together! Not quite ready? Book a complimentary 15 minute phone consult with me. Can't wait to learn more about you! 
 

Until then,
Colleen