Modernising Old Family Heirlooms: Breathing New Life into Sentimental Treasures – Mike and Gill’s story
Family jewellery holds powerful memories, a grandmother’s engagement ring, a mother’s signet ring, or a treasured brooch passed down through generations. These pieces tell our stories, yet their vintage style may not always suit modern life. That was exactly how Mike and Gill felt about their three family heirlooms. They approached me through one of my lovely stockists and were inspired by my Vieo Quat Open Lattice Ring. They asked me to transform their old jewellery into a bespoke design that could be worn and loved every day, reusing their gold and diamonds to turn sentimental pieces into timeless style.
Design Phase
Gill and Mike’s heirloom collection included an old wedding band, a signet ring, and a three-stone engagement ring. Gill wanted to incorporate the three diamonds into my existing Vieo Quat design. I thought this was a wonderful idea, a way to keep the sentiment of the original pieces alive in the new design. I sketched several options for incorporating the three stones and shared my two favourites with Gill and Mike so they could choose the one they loved most.
3D Design and Making
Once they gave me the go-ahead, I began the benchwork. I carefully removed the gemstones from their original settings and cleaned them to restore their sparkle. Then, using CAD, I designed the new ring to fit Gill’s size and accommodate the three diamonds. The 3D-printed wax model was then cast in their heirloom gold, which we melted down, finally I carefully set the gemstones, paying close attention to their placement.
When Gill and Mike collected the finished ring from the gallery, they were thrilled with the outcome. The ring has ever since lived a happy life on Gill’s finger.
Thinking of modernising heirlooms yourself?
Do you have old family heirlooms that need modernising? Modernising is not about discarding history, it’s about giving it a new chapter. If you have pieces that have been sitting in your jewellery box for too long, get in touch. I will work closely with you to understand the story behind your piece, combining careful craftsmanship with contemporary design. Every bespoke redesign is sustainably created, celebrating both heritage and modern artistry.
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