OUT with the old and in with the new is the word from a Limerick goldsmith who has been helping people turn forgotten treasures in the jewellery box into custom keepsakes.
Marianne Kenny, from Limerick City, has been making a name for herself transforming old, unworn jewellery into fresh, contemporary designs.
Now based in Valentia Island, County Kerry, the Limerick native honed her craft at NCAD, St John’s Central College, and the Design and Craft Council of Ireland.
With the cost of gold currently rising, Marianne has found her niche in helping people create personal, sustainable, custom pieces from beloved old treasures they already own.
“Whether you have wedding bands that no longer fit, a single earring, or broken chains gathering dust, those forgotten treasures can be reworked into something new, something you’ll treasure even more than before,” she says.
“Instead of bringing your old gold to a pawn shop, where you’re unlikely to get your money’s worth, consider investing in a bespoke redesign. It’s a way to create something timeless, meaningful, and wearable for years to come.”
Marianne says that “some people hesitate to alter sentimental pieces for fear of losing the emotional connection”, adding that “is it not more unfortunate that a deeply meaningful piece sits inly in a box, unworn? Redesigning it lets you carry that memory with you every day.”
The Limerick goldsmith helps guide unworn treasures through a planning and design phase before melting them down and crafting them by hand into custom designs, as well as reusing and resetting gemstones and diamonds into everything from signet rings, bangles, and pendants.
“With enough gold, you can create multiple pieces. The only limit is your imagination,” she explains.
Marianne also works with silver, but suggests that “due to its lower value, it’s often more cost-effective to use newly refined silver. That said, if the silver has sentimental value, it’s absolutely worth including.”