QuestionHi, I have a 14K gold Cartouche pendant that belonged to a deceased relative. The Cartouche is two sided. On one side their name appears in hieroglyphics. I would like to have their name removed and replaced with my own in english letters. Is this something that can be done?
AnswerAnn, thanks for this question.
I also have a cartouche and my name is there in raised forms against the background. I imagine the name could be engraved with hieroglyphics, a rather shallow cut into the surface and engraved rather than raised symbols. Engraved would certainly be the easiest to change but I have not yet seen this Egyptian influenced jewelry made this way. You will know which form of symbols your pendant shows, with either engraved or raised (low relief) forms.
It is possible the symbols are stamped out of gold and simply soldered to a background. That form is also one I have not seen but certainly would not be surprised if that technique is used once in a while.
Starting at the last option, if soldered on, the symbols may be removed by heating and lifting off the gold pieces. A jeweler will do this will tender care to avoid damage to the rest of the cartouche form. Still, solder will remain and will need to be abrasively ground away to make all look good. Then new stamped out letters may be soldered onto the background. Letters are available in several styles and sizes.
Ann, if the symbols are merely engraved into the surface, these may be ground off if the background is thick enough. Then new letters may be engraved or soldered on. Soldered letters will look best.
If the symbols are raised, as in the first example mentioned, this again means for the jeweler to get out the grinding tools and remove the symbols. The background will need to be made appropriately smooth or left with some texture to cover possible dips from the grinding. To grind off the gold and leave a flat surface is quite difficult since this is all done with hand held tools. Again, purchased letters may be soldered to the background.
Yes, there is something which can be done. As for the price of doing the job, a local jeweler will have to tell you that. Try to find a business with a good reputation and with a bench jeweler working there. Some stores send work out to local wholesale repair shops and you loose some control with that. With a jeweler working at the place where the work will be done, you not only have direct recourse but may gain a recommendation from the experience of the jeweler which a sales person may not be able to offer.
Best wishes.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
