From Heirloom to Modern Treasure: The Journey of a Remodelled Diamond Pendant

The story began with an heirloom diamond brooch

This jewellery had quite the journey. It started life as a diamond brooch, full of sentimental value but not something my client wore. Once worn by my client’s grandmother, the brooch featured several beautiful diamonds. Some years before, my client had had the brooch altered to make earrings and an engagement ring, with pearls added. After her divorce, the remodelled jewellery sat unused, but still held emotional significance. It was time to rethink. Rather than leave it tucked away in a drawer, my customer brought it to me with the idea of giving the jewellery new life once again.

A sentimental upcycled pendant commission

My client realised she would wear a pendant more than earrings and a ring, and she wanted to unify the pieces into something she could keep close to her heart. Literally. Together, we reimagined the design. I carefully removed the diamonds and pearls and set them between the two earrings to create a striking pendant that kept a visual resemblance to the original brooch. The final piece is a beautifully balanced design that honours the past, while embracing my customer’s personal style.

This is the essence of jewellery remodelling

Turning something old into something uniquely yours. Every gemstone reused carries the emotional history of the original piece while being recast into a new chapter of it’s story. It’s a sustainable, meaningful approach to jewellery design that allows you to celebrate both heritage and individuality.

Jewellery holds so much more than just aesthetic value. It tells stories, preserves memories, and connects generations. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is helping customers breathe new life into old, often sentimental pieces through bespoke remodelling. This recent commission beautifully exemplifies this process, weaving past and present into a new creation that can be cherished for years to come.

Whether it’s a forgotten brooch, an outdated ring, or a collection of inherited stones, remodelling allows these treasures to shine again in forms that suit your life today. This pendant, once a brooch, then earrings and a ring, is now a modern heirloom. Ready to be worn, loved, and eventually passed on once more. See more of my remodelled jewellery commissions.

If you have a piece of jewellery with a story waiting to be retold, I’d be honoured to help you bring it back to life. Please get in touch with me to discuss your dream design…

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