Worn and Loved: Restoring a Treasured Eye of Horus Necklace
When Sarah first bought her Eye of Horus necklace three years ago, she told me it felt like a talisman, one she would never take off. And she meant it. Day in, day out, this beautiful labradorite pendant became a part of her. Through seasons, travels, celebrations, and everyday moments, it stayed close to her heart.
In fact, this was the very first statement piece I ever made. A bold design forged from recycled silver, set with a shimmering labradorite cabochon, an intuitive stone full of flash and mystery, and wrapped in an all-seeing symbol of protection. That piece marked a turning point in my work, and it's held deep meaning for both Sarah and me ever since.
So when I received a message from her saying it had snagged and fractured slightly, I wasn’t disheartened. I was proud. It had done exactly what it was meant to do—be worn and loved.
Why I’m Sharing This
There’s something I want to normalise here: wearing your jewellery daily—and then repairing it. Too often we think of fine jewellery as something fragile or “just for special occasions.” But handmade jewellery is built to be lived in. And just like your favourite coat or leather boots, it might need a little TLC over time.
This necklace wasn’t damaged through neglect. It was honoured through use. And Sarah did exactly the right thing, she popped it safely into a box and brought it back to me for reconditioning.
The Restoration Process
Here’s what went into restoring this much-loved piece:
1. Removing the gemstone
The labradorite cabochon is bezel set—meaning it’s gently enclosed in a thin wall of silver. Removing it requires a slow, careful touch, as any pressure or incorrect movement could crack the stone. This step alone took patience and precision.
2. Deep cleaning
After three years of continuous wear, the silver had dulled and carried traces of skin oils and general life. A thorough clean brought the metal back to its raw beauty.
3. Removing the fracture and rebuilding
The stress fracture needed attention. I carefully sawed out the damaged section and filed a new join. The new piece had to flow seamlessly with the old—and be strong enough to last many more years.
4. Soldering—twice
Soldering near existing joins can be tricky. Too much heat and you risk undoing past work or damaging the bezel holding the gemstone. Once the new join was added, I also checked all previous joins for signs of wear and reinforced those as needed.
5. Finishing touches
Once the structure was sound, it was time for filing, sanding, and polishing—bringing back that beautiful satin glow. Then, I carefully reset the labradorite and gave it a final polish to bring out every ounce of its magic.
The End Result?
It looks brand new, but with the soul of something that’s been truly lived in. There are stories embedded in this piece now. Not just mine as its maker—but Sarah’s as its wearer.
If you’ve got a piece you wear every day, don’t be afraid to love it wholeheartedly. And if it ever needs a little help, I’m always here to bring it back to life.
With love
Shell x
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