Heirloom Jewellery Redesign – Katherine’s Story
Heirloom jewellery carries more than the monetary value of its gold and gemstones. It holds memories, love, and family history. For Katherine, her cherished jewellery was no different. Her jewellery collection reminded her of her loved ones, but they no longer matched her personal style.
Family members had passed jewellery down to her, her husband had gifted some of the pieces, and others came from holidays. Over time, many of them felt outdated—some were broken, others had missing gemstones.
First contact
Katherine discovered my website while searching for local jewellers. She connected with my ethos and aesthetic, so we arranged a free consultation. She brought her jewellery collection, and we discussed the pieces closest to her heart, the styles she loved, and which of my collections she felt drawn to.
Her collection included two rings from her grandmothers, earrings and a pendant from her husband, and various heirloom and holiday pieces. Each one carried emotional meaning, but Katherine no longer felt comfortable wearing them. She wanted to update them without losing their sentimental value. We decided to create two bespoke pieces based on my collections through a full heirloom jewellery redesign.
Jewellery Assessment
Next, I carefully assessed each piece. I tested the metals, sorted them into non-precious, silver, and gold categories, and helped Katherine decide which gemstones to feature in her new jewellery.
She had several 9ct yellow gold items with a beautiful warm tone. The earrings and pendant included vibrant amethyst trillion cuts that we wanted to reuse. The two rings from her grandmother’s held oval gemstones she deeply valued—these had to be part of the new designs.
We envisioned two modern pieces: a size-adjustable statement ring and a pendant Katherine could wear every day.
Design phase
We both left our meeting feeling inspired and excited.
Redesigning heirloom jewellery means striking a balance between honouring its origins and reflecting the owner’s personal style. Katherine loved the idea of a bold, modern gold ring that still felt rooted in her family history. She requested an adjustable design, as her fingers swell and shrink with the seasons. For the pendant, she wanted something classic and delicate – versatile enough for everyday wear, yet meaningful.
I sketched several concepts in the style of my Orno and Vieo Collections and presented them to Katherine. She gave feedback, and I refined the designs in CAD, creating realistic 3D renderings. This process allowed us to experiment with gemstone placement and tailor the design to match her available gold exactly.
Benchwork and finishing touches
Once Katherine approved the designs, I began the benchwork. I carefully extracted the gemstones from the old pieces and melted down her gold, making sure nothing went to waste. The gold was then cast with lost wax casting into the two designs. I cleaned the gemstones and each one was meticulously placed to ensure perfect balance and beauty.
The finished pieces
The finished statement ring was bold, colourful, modern, and adjustable—exactly what Katherine envisioned. I attached the pendant to her existing chain, creating a timeless piece she could wear with anything, from everyday outfits to formal wear. Now, she carries the memories of her family close to her heart.
The beauty of heirloom jewellery redesign lies in transformation—not only of the jewellery, but of its meaning. Katherine’s new ring and pendant do more than accessorise—they connect her to her family’s history and express her style.
Katherine visited the studio to collect her pieces in person. I’d kept her updated with progress photos throughout the process, but seeing the finished jewellery in real life was something else entirely. She was overjoyed. The necklace looked delicate and timeless—just like the memories it honoured. She told me how her family would instantly recognise the gemstones in the ring and understand their significance.
Katherine’s own words
Judith creates the most unique and spectacular jewellery. She took jewellery I had – some inherited and not my style, some missing stones and redesigned them. Now I have beautiful new heirlooms – filled with memories I can wear everyday.
Judith included me at every stage of the process and always gave me options – the hardest part was choosing between her fantastic designs.
Her craftsmanship is to the highest standards. She is also a lovely person who was a joy to work with through the process.
Want to have your own heirloom jewellery redesigned?
If you have jewellery that’s been passed down through the generations and you’re considering a redesign, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free consultation. Whether you want to create something entirely new or incorporate an existing gemstone into one of my designs, my heirloom jewellery redesign service offers a meaningful way to honour your story.
Like Katherine, you can preserve the emotional value of your jewellery while transforming it into pieces you’ll wear and cherish for years to come. Don’t let your heirlooms sit unused—bring them back to life.
Head over to my bespoke page to see more heirloom jewellery pieces.
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