18 Unexpected Ways To Repurpose Your Old Vintage Jewelry

One of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon is by rummaging through my local flea market for totally unique finds.

From the treasures I've stumbled upon at flea markets, I've been able to upcycle several items into adorable new DIY home additions. Often, all I need is a little inspiration — like with these ideas for vintage suitcase upcycles.

I also have a particular fondness for vintage jewelry, so now my closet is jam-packed with boxes of antique keepsakes. Each piece contains a long and rich history, from long before I owned it.

But when I realized just how many ways there were to breathe new life into some of my more broken-down pieces of vintage jewelry, I couldn't wait to try some of them on my own!

A damaged earring can easily be repurposed into a gorgeous, hand crafted brooch. With a little glue, a tangled nest of necklaces can be turned into a swoon-worthy picture frame. I can even use vintage jewels to decorate patio furniture.

Scroll through below for a look at these vintage jewelry transformations, and let us know your favorites in the comments!

(c)Christina Friedrichsen 2011
Intimate Weddings

You can pair old earrings with a few velvet strips to make the daintiest bookmarks you've ever seen.

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Dose

Easily jazz up your house keys by gluing on a vintage pendant or brooch.

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Ebay

You can embellish a vintage painting with antique jewels to give it a whole extra level of sparkle.

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Indulgy/Home and Heart

Create a Little Mermaid-inspired outdoor flower planter by gluing handfuls of broken jewelry onto a ceramic base.

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Etsy/AGoddessDivine

With a few old crystals, faux-pearls, and lace — you can easily create the perfect DIY wedding cuff.

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Architecture Design

A wedding bouquet that will last a lifetime can be quickly constructed out of vintage jewelry, sourced from your favorite flea market.

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Etsy/Curio Jewelry

Turn a few broken necklaces into one stunning statement piece.

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Beauty and Bedlam

Vintage brooches make a gorgeous addition to a rather plain-looking belt.

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Little Lovables

Easily transform discarded charms into absolutely unique necklaces by adding them to a store-bought chain.

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Ebay

A bejeweled Christmas tree is the perfect handmade gift for your glitziest friends.

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Pinterest/berdean mante

Colorful vintage brooches are easily repurposed into your very own DIY jewelry topiary, perfect to display indoors or outdoors.

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Etsy/mysweetmaison

Old necklace pendants give these French perfume bottles a stunning, sparkly upgrade.

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Jennelise Rose

You can easily dress up a plain lampshade by draping it with antique jewelry.

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Better Homes and Gardens

A napkin is given an elegant makeover with this stunning antique brooch and lace combination.

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A Sparkle Affair

The room will fall silent when you breeze in with this showstopping DIY multi-finger ring.

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Hello Hydrangea

A spring-inspired floral cuff is easy to make with just a few broken pieces of vintage jewelry weaved together.

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Etsy/hangingbyathread1

And if you have any vintage buttons mixed in with your jewelry, there's no need to throw them away. They can quickly become a one-of-a-kind necklace.

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Honestly WTF

An antique brooch beautifully updates an old pair of flats, giving you a completely new, one-of-a-kind pair.

There's no reason to toss your old vintage jewelry when there are so many ways to transform it into incredible, upcycled pieces.

Which of these vintage jewelry projects would you want to try? Let us know in the comments.

Please SHARE if you love these creative vintage jewelry ideas!