You love your jewelry and you have memories associated with them which make it hard to let go.
But over time, pieces can break, tarnish, or simply go out of style.
Before tossing out that broken necklace or those mismatched earrings, consider upcycling or repurposing them into something new and meaningful.
Why? Upcycling is not only sustainable but also allows you to extend the life of your precious jewelry, in a different form.
So if you are wondering what to do with old jewelry, read on. There are endless ways to repurpose your old or broken jewelry.
Here is a unique and creative list of 50 ideas to upcycle broken or old jewelry –
1. Turn Old Brooches into Magnets
Remove the pins and attach magnets to the back of old brooches. Use them to decorate your fridge or office board.
2. Repurpose a Necklace as a Curtain Tieback
A chunky or decorative necklace can act as a beautiful tieback for curtains, adding a touch of elegance to any room.
3. Create Wine Glass Charms
Take old earrings or small pendants and add hoops to create customized wine glass charms for parties.
4. Frame Your Jewelry as Wall Art
Arrange broken pieces, like brooches, chains, or earrings, on a canvas or in a shadow box. Glue them into a pattern or shape (like a heart or star) for a stunning display.
5. Turn Broken Chains into Keychains
Add charms or pendants to a broken chain and convert it into a trendy keychain.
Tip: Attach to carabiners for an edgy look.
6. Make a DIY Bookmark
Use a chain with a pendant or a brooch and wrap it around a piece of ribbon or leather for a really unique bookmark.
7. Create a Statement Headband
Glue broken jewelry pieces onto a plain headband for a unique accessory.
8. Use Old Pendants for Napkin Rings
Glue decorative pendants to rings or wire loops to create elegant napkin rings for your dining table.
9. Add Jewelry to Clothing
Sew beads, charms, or brooches onto jeans, jackets, or hats for a customized look.
Tip: Use fabric glue for delicate pieces.
10. DIY Holiday Ornaments
Use old earrings, pendants, and broken chains to create sparkling holiday decorations for your Christmas tree.
For the Home
11. Make a Decorative Mirror Frame
Glue broken necklaces, earrings, and beads onto a plain mirror frame for a boho-chic effect.
12. Create Drawer Pulls
Attach brooches or pendants to old knobs to create customized drawer pulls.
13. Decorate a Picture Frame
Decorate a photo frame with old jewelry for a personalized touch.
14. DIY Wind Chime
Use chains, earrings, and pendants to create a sparkling wind chime for your garden.
15. Make Sparkling Plant Stakes
Glue charms or beads to wire or sticks and place them in potted plants for decoration.
Tip: Use waterproof glue for outdoor items.
Fashion Accessories
16. Turn Old Bracelets into Hair Ties
Attach an elastic band to a decorative bracelet for a stylish hair tie.
17. Make a Brooch or Pendant Bouquet
Gather brooches or pendants and wire them into a beautiful vintage-inspired bouquet for weddings or home decor.
18. Turn Beads into Rings
Glue large beads from broken necklaces or pendants to ring bases to create stunning statement rings.
19. Use Old Chains as Belts
Repurpose chunky chains as belts for dresses, jeans, or tunics.
20. Upcycle Earrings as Shoe Clips
Glue old clip-on earrings or decorative pieces to shoe clips for a completely unique look.
Jewelry-to-Jewelry Projects
21. Combine Mismatched Earrings into a New Pair
Mix and match to create eclectic earring sets.
22. Create Charm Bracelets
Attach old charms and pendants to a bracelet chain.
23. Recreate a Necklace from Broken Beads
String together beads from broken necklaces into a new design.
24. Make Layered Bracelets
Combine chains, cords, and beads to create trendy layered bracelets.
25. Use Pendants for Lockets
Glue or attach small pendants onto existing lockets for a unique touch.
Tip: Mix metals and textures for a modern style.
Gift Ideas
26. DIY Jewelry Bookmarks as Gifts
Perfect for book lovers—attach chains, beads, or small charms to a ribbon or string.
27. Make Personalized Gift Wrap Embellishments
Attach small jewelry pieces to ribbons for gift wrapping.
28. Design Unique Keychains for Friends
Use pendants and chains to create thoughtful and personal gifts.
29. Repurpose into Jewelry Dishes
Glue small charms to decorative dishes for trinket storage.
30. DIY Photo Holders
Glue pendants or small jewelry to wire loops to hold photos upright on a table.
Kids’ Projects
31. Create DIY Crowns
Attach beads and broken jewelry to cardboard crowns for kids’ dress-up.
32. Make Costume Accessories
Turn broken chains into play necklaces for costumes or role play.
33. Use Beads for Crafting
Let kids use loose beads for crafting projects like bracelets or art collages.
34. Make DIY Treasure Boxes
Glue old jewelry pieces to boxes for kids to keep their treasures.
35. Add to Dolls’ Clothing
Decorate dolls’ outfits with small charms or beads.
Eco-Friendly and Practical Uses
36. Embellish a Phone Case
Glue small jewelry pieces to a plain phone case for a custom look.
37. Turn Jewelry into a Curtain Decor
String beads into curtain ties or hang them along curtains.
38. Decorate a Lampshade
Glue jewelry pieces onto a lampshade for sparkle when the light hits.
39. Add Jewelry to Coasters
Embed small pieces into resin to create decorative coasters.
40. Make Jewelry Candles
Decorate candle jars with chains or pendants.
Sentimental Keepsakes
41. Memorialize Jewelry into Keepsake Art
Use pieces to create a keepsake collage that holds sentimental value.
42. Add Jewelry to Scrapbooking
Glue old jewelry into scrapbook layouts for added texture.
43. Make Keepsake Ornaments
Use heirloom jewelry to create meaningful holiday keepsakes.
44. Attach to Jewelry Boxes
Glue vintage pieces to the outside of jewelry boxes for added charm.
45. DIY Memory Charms
Turn broken pieces into charms for a memory bracelet.
Creative Projects
46. Bedazzle Everyday Objects
Add broken jewelry to pen holders, notebooks, or vases.
47. Embellish Handbags or Purses
Sew or glue jewelry to bags for a custom upgrade.
48. Make a DIY Mosaic Art
Use broken pieces in a mosaic art project on mirrors or furniture.
49. Turn Chains into Hanging Decor
Combine chains and charms to create hanging decor for windows or walls.
50. Create an Heirloom Jewelry Tree
Glue pieces onto a wire tree form for a beautiful display.
Final Tips for Upcycling Jewelry
- Use strong adhesives like E6000 or epoxy for durable results.
- Clean jewelry first to remove dust, tarnish, or grime.
- Mix metals and styles to create eclectic, one-of-a-kind pieces.
- Visit thrift stores or flea markets for extra broken pieces to combine with your own.
With these 50 creative ways to upcycle broken or old jewelry, you can turn forgotten items into functional, beautiful, and sustainable pieces. Whether for your home, wardrobe, or as gifts, these upcycling projects give jewelry a second life while reducing waste —a win for creativity and the planet!
Did I miss anything? Leave a comment and let us know.
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