CUSTOM JEWELRY: RECONSTRUCTION & RECYCLING MAGIC AT CMD

Everything You Need to Know Before We Begin

 
As a small business owner, when I hear similar requests over and over again… I listen! I’m an observant designer and I do my best to notice when there is a need or desire for something new.

Over the years, I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten requests to repurpose precious family diamonds or to redesign jewelry to have a CMD aesthetic. Clearly, there is a real interest in transforming heirloom pieces, resetting diamonds, or creating something entirely new from older jewelry you no longer wear. You asked and now, we deliver!

I have completed a handful of these projects over the last few months and I have to say, it’s been some of my most fulfilling work yet. It’s deeply personal, super creative and incredibly meaningful. It’s also rather challenging and thought provoking, which I love. And when it’s the right fit, it’s magic.

These projects require a larger investment of time, materials, and craftsmanship — which is why we’ve created this guide. My hope is that this blog post answers most of your questions upfront and helps you determine whether a CMD reconstruction project is right for you.
 

What We Specialize In

At CMD, custom projects typically fall into two categories:

1. Jewelry Recycling for CMD Credit (mostly 14k, 18k and 24k gold)
2. Custom Design Projects (often using recycled stones or diamonds)
    

Most full custom projects range from $1,500 - $14,000+, depending on:

• Diamond or stones (size and quantity)
• Number of diamonds
• Width of ring(s)
• Number of band(s) in a stack
• Complexity of the design
   

If you’re envisioning a substantial gold ring or stack with diamonds, know that we work exclusively in 14k and 18k gold with your choice of yellow, white or rose gold (or all of the above). While we’re unable to set your precious stones in sterling silver (it’s much too soft), we can use sterling silver as a component in your finished set if you adore the mixed metal look of CMD jewelry. Additionally, if you love the look of sterling or platinum, 14k white gold is an excellent substitute with a very similar appearance.
 

Jewelry Recycling for Credit

If you have some precious but unused gold jewelry sitting in a drawer (like that ring your grandma left for you), let’s talk! We may be able to recycle solid 14k, 18k or 24k for you to use toward a custom project or other CMD jewelry.
 

How It Works

• You send us your stamped gold. (You will be responsible for shipping the jewelry to us. We’ll take care of shipping the finished piece to you once it’s made).
• We inspect and analyze the pieces.
• Stones are removed by our team (if applicable).
• The metal is then sent to our recycling and raw materials vendor.
• We receive credit from our vendor (typically 2–3 weeks).
• That amount is issued to you as CMD store credit. On average, clients have received between $200 to $2000 in credit, depending on weight and karat.
   

Please note:

• We get credit with our vendor toward new materials. That said, the new project will be made with brand new gold material, not your original gold.
• We can reuse your diamonds and heirloom stones (if structurally sound).
• Stones can crack or break but we use our utmost care when working with them. We will have you sign a waiver to make sure you understand there is some risk in removing and reusing stones. Knock on wood, we haven’t cracked a stone yet!
• We have you sign a form with an approximate recycling credit along with permission to have your metal recycled. Once the material is sent to our vendor for recycling, it cannot be returned.
• There is a labor fee to deconstruct jewelry and remove stones (varies depending on complexity). On average this fee ranges anywhere from $75 to $200, depending on how long it takes our team to carefully remove.
   

What Can Be Recycled?

Pieces must be stamped with one of the following:

• Gold: 14k, 18k, 24k, 750
• Platinum: PT950, PT900
• Sterling Silver: .925, STER
   

Please note: While the cost of silver is currently elevated, solid gold yields significantly more credit. Expect a much smaller CMD credit when recycling this material ($20-$200 on average, depending on how much you have to recycle.)

If your piece is not stamped, we cannot guarantee that you will receive credit for it once we send it to our vendor. Unfortunately, our vendor will not return anything that is not recycled.
 

Important Notes About Stones

We are able to reuse:

• Diamonds (natural or lab)
• Many heirloom gemstones (case dependent)
• We can also source matching lab-created diamonds if your design calls for additional stones.
   

The Timeline

The initial recycling and inspection process alone takes about 3 weeks, before we begin the true design phase. Once design begins, timelines vary depending on complexity. Each piece is handmade to order in our Upstate NY production studio. Custom takes time and we never cut corners to expedite a project. The timeline will also be dependent on how many custom projects we currently have on our roster. On average, this type of project will typically take anywhere from 6-12 weeks.
 

The Investment (Let’s Be Direct)

Custom CMD projects typically range from $1,500 on the lower end to $14,000+ for larger stacks or diamond-heavy designs. We want you to walk into this process fully informed. If you are hoping to transform heirloom gold into a $500 finished ring, this might not be the right fit. If you are ready to invest in something meaningful that can be passed down to the next generation with a signature CMD aesthetic, I’m thrilled to work with you!
 

To explore examples of past work, check out the following:

• Our blog Memory, Metal & Meaning
• Our blog Giving Diamonds New Life: Custom CMD Wedding Stack Set
• Our blog Re-Imagining Heirlooms: Lee's Custom Moonstone & Diamond Stack
• Our Special Occasion Bands and Special Occasion Stacks pages
   

The Designer Fee

All custom projects begin with a $250 designer fee (deposit) that is paid up front before we meet. This fee secures some of my undivided time and covers initial design thinking and conceptual development. You’ll be happy to know that the $250 will be applied toward your finished piece or set (e.g., if you purchase a $2500, you’ll owe $2250 once we get the ball rolling).
 

We offer two meeting types:

1. LET’S START THE PROJECT

This meeting type is for clients who:

• Understand the pricing range
• Are ready to move forward
• Have reviewed CMD’s aesthetic
• Are able to pay the $250 deposit

2. LET’S SEE IF THIS WILL WORK

This would be a shorter and complimentary 15 minute consult for:

• Determining feasibility
• Clarifying expectations
• Reviewing recyclability and budget alignment
   

Before We Meet

Before your meeting, I’ll ask you for photos of the jewelry you’d like to recycle and ask more about what you’re hoping to create via email. Inspiration photos are wonderful but it’s also important for me to know what CMD pieces you love the most. I’ll also send you links to any relevant blog posts and design pages for further inspiration and information. This all ensures we use our time wisely together.
 

A New Era of Meaningful Design

I truly believe that metal is my medium and connection is my craft. This new direction for CMD feels deeply aligned for me — and I’m honestly giddy about it.

One of the best parts of these projects is getting to sit with you and hear your stories. After all, these pieces carry so much history.

We all hold memories that shape us, and those stories are what connect us as humans. As a designer, having the opportunity to transform something old but precious into something luminous that you’ll treasure wearing feels like a true honor.

If you have questions or simply want to talk it through first, I’m all ears and happy to hop on a 15-minute phone chat. This is a big step! I get it, and I’m here for it.

And if you already know you’re ready? Let’s do this! I’ll gather my creative wings and we’ll take your vision to new heights. I truly can’t wait to create something magical with you.
 

>> BEGIN YOUR CUSTOM PROJECT INQUIRY <<

 

Thank you for trusting me,
Colleen