Pittsburgh Jeweler Reaches New Demographic With Upcycled Collection

WHEN JENNY LIN, A goldsmith and bench jeweler at Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh, PA, approached owner John Henne about turning scraps of gold and orphaned gems into upcycled creations, he thought the idea was inspired and gave her free rein over the scrap bin.

“At Henne Jewelers, we encourage innovation. If a team member comes to me with an idea — and some info about how they will approach it — I try to support it,” Henne says.

The idea also reflects broader industry trends toward sustainability, craftsmanship and storytelling in luxury goods. “Many of our current customers value sustainability, and I expect that trend to continue,” Henne observes. “We are finding that younger generations are seeking unique jewelry that has a story and have an interest in our estate collection.”

Jenny Lin

For her part, Lin says she was thrilled the idea was so well received by her boss. “I was nervous going in to pitch it, but Henne Jewelers is interested in being at the forefront of pushing boundaries in what the industry is doing. They were all super supportive.”

Upcycled jewelry refers to the process of transforming broken, outdated, or unwanted jewelry into something entirely new and wearable. It’s distinct from simple recycling, where materials are melted down or refined into raw metals. “I’ve always been drawn to repair and reuse,” Lin says. “In my own jewelry practice, working from scrap often led to my favorite work.”

Lin’s background in fiber arts informs her approach, blending the tactile sensibilities of sewing with the precision of metalwork. Her earliest hobby was sewing and working with fabric scraps. Then, during her Bachelor of Arts studies at Carnegie Mellon University, Lin’s fascination with wearable sculpture took root.

The materials for Lin’s designs come directly from the Henne Jewelers scrap gold program. Before pieces are sent to a refinery, she examines them for potential. Digging through the scrap bin gives her incredible ideas, she says. “I look for hand-engraving, unique textures, and any sign that a piece was touched by another craftsperson. I love the idea that I’m collaborating with someone from decades ago.”

Her work is largely trial and error, driven by intuition. “I rarely think, ‘I want to make a ring today.’ I start by disassembling a piece and in the process learn how the original jeweler built the piece,” Lin says.

She documents her discoveries through sketches and photographs. She also likes to tack things together, sometimes with a laser welder.

Henne’s social media channels have become an integral part of the project, creating customer engagement and transparency in the creative process. “We’ve featured her creations on Instagram, where followers voted on elements she should use throughout the process,” Henne says.

In one particularly successful campaign, Lin asked Henne followers to choose from three different pieces she pulled from the scrap bin: a necklace, a charm, and an “outrageous” 1980s brooch with interlocking bars. Social media followers chose the most challenging piece, which was the brooch. “The vibe was very outdated. Looking at the pieces it was made of, realizing each little piece was made by a jeweler, I broke it down into components,” she says. Lin refashioned it into multiple pairs of earrings, replacing synthetic stones with natural gemstones.

At Henne Jewelers, outdated jewelry (right) is transformed into new creations (left).

Her latest collection features lightweight threader earrings repurposed from vintage pins and charms. She’s also developing a vintage cameo design that incorporates sculptural trims for a touch of Old-World charm.

The pieces are available both in-store and online through the Upcycled Jewelry by Jenny Lin collection, making them accessible to a broader customer base. Customer response has exceeded expectations.

“When we share that these pieces were crafted from unwanted gold or converted from other pieces — such as cufflinks-turned-earrings — they get excited,” Henne says.

It’s also proven to be an effective marketing tool.

“It has brought new customers into the store who may have not considered our jewelry otherwise,” Henne says. “We’ve even had some local businesses comment on the collection after seeing us promote it on Instagram. People are watching and noticing.”