A Quick Overview
Do you have a treasured piece of jewellery that’s been passed down to you? It’s a tradition that’s filled with pride, joy and honour.
Maybe you’ve realised that it's now your turn to write the next chapter in your family’s story and create something that will leave your indelible footprint in the world for future generations to enjoy.
People sometimes choose to redesign their inherited treasures, for different reasons. It could be to ensure that the piece is well looked after and robust, or you want to give it a more modern feel that matches your style.
Repurposing jewellery brings with it some amazing benefits, other than just giving your jewellery box a breath of fresh air. There are obvious ethical benefits on offer in addition to preserving the sentimental value of items and honouring the past while living in the present.
At Kimjoux, we know the value that they hold for you and the generations before and yet to come. We treat your heirlooms with the utmost respect, care and love – as if they were our own. We love to hear the history of the pieces and are excited to be part of the story.
It can be a little daunting to be in possession of an heirloom that can hold endless sentimental value. But you should not hide it away in a jewellery box. We believe that these treasures should be worn with pride and happiness. Jewellery is made to be enjoyed; sometimes all it needs is a little refresh to let its colours sing and shine once more!
Repurposing Your Jewels
There are multiple ways that you can repurpose inherited jewellery.
If you are in love with the piece and want to keep it exactly as it was, we can restore it to keep all original features. Or you might decide that the style is not suitable for you but you want to keep its sentimental value. You can use the metals and gemstones to create a bespoke, one-of-a-kind piece.
It may also be that you need to split a trio diamond ring into three separate pieces; the possibilities are endless.
Working with the Kimjoux team, we will take all your wishes and ideas into consideration and make a unique, fresh and modern design that you can treasure for a lifetime and beyond! We specialise in bespoke, tailor-made personal jewellery so we have the expertise to help you explore all the exciting options.
What to know before redesigning
There are some things worth considering when redesigning a piece of jewellery. For instance, make sure that you take time to really think about what you want to change. You might like to wear the jewellery to understand what features you love and want to keep and what details you’d like to change. This ensures that you’ll be happy and satisfied with the changes. At our consultation, we will evaluate your old heirlooms and give you a variety of options to consider.
We advise that you don't make changes that are tied in with current styling. Trends change constantly and you may want to stay true to your personal style. Heirloom, fine jewellery should be stylish and timeless, and most importanly, hold sentimental value, not bang on trend! We also suggest that you factor your lifestyle into your decision. For example: If you’re very active, a hollow and/or chunky ring can be prone to damage or, if you have a young child, dangly earrings may become a safety hazard.
It can be worth getting your heirloom valued professionally, so you know what you are dealing with. Well-used old jewellery is sometimes hard to determine its material with the naked eye. We would advise that you set yourself a budget and clearly communicate that this bespoke piece holds a lot of value. Sometimes materials must be sourced and this can be a long process. By having a clear budget, you can avoid any disappointment throughout the process.
Common questions we, at Kimjoux, receive about redesigning heirloom jewellery include:
Can you reuse diamonds?
Yes! Diamonds are ideal for repurposing as they are so strong and durable. This means you can pass diamonds down for generations, with little risk of them chipping or breaking! We will always check the quality of the gemstone before we reset them into your new design.
Can you reuse the gold?
If you would like to reuse gold, we would go through the details during our private bookable consultation.
Can I redesign my engagement ring after a divorce?
Yes, you can. Reimagining your wedding or an engagement ring into a pendant, earrings, or even another ring is a lovely way to mark a fresh start and new opportunities! We like the saying "Divorce the husband, not the jewellery!"
I have inherited a ring - can I reuse the gemstones for my engagement ring?
Yes! Reusing gemstones in engagement rings is a beautiful way to honour your past and your relatives! You could recreate an original piece or design something completely bespoke and designed just for you! Check out our blog post The Guide To Engagement Rings-Gemstones for our advice and tips on picking the best gemstones for engagement rings!
How much does it cost to redesign an heirloom?
As each request will be completely unique, we cannot give a set price on how much the process will cost. Redesigned pieces are handmade, so each unique design will be priced differently. Depending on your expectations, we can advise you on the best materials to use and create a design that is most suitable for you. Please contact us for more information!
Will you be able to maintain the character of the piece despite modernising it?
Yes. We will always get to know you and your jewellery first. We work closely with you on the new design to ensure the piece contains all the details you desire!
I have one piece of jewellery to split between three heirs; can I create multiple pieces from one piece of jewellery?
Yes, we can achieve this in a number of ways. For instance, if the original has multiple gemstones, you could split them into multiple pieces of jewellery. If the original has enough metal, we can melt it down, split them and create something individuals for each person.
How long does it take to remake my old jewellery?
This really depends on the new design. During our consultation, we will find out more about you and your old heirlooms, in order to create suitable design options for you. Once you confirm a new design and quotation, we normally start working on it within 2 working days. The standard lead time is 4 weeks. However, for fancy and intricate designs that require a lot of handmade elements and specific gemstone sourcing, this could take longer. You will receive the full information with estimated lead-time in our proposal.
Do I have to see you in person?
It is not essential to meet in person. We are based in London but we have served customers all over the UK, as well as internationally. You can book a consultation appointment either in person or online here. It is important to show us the heirloom you wish to redesign. If you don't have the physical piece, you can send us some clear images and as much information as you have.
Once you have decided exactly what to do, we will help you book a secured courier to send your jewellery to us. The first thing we do is to quality check your jewellery and inform you of any potential issues, before we go ahead with crafting a new piece.
How To Care For and Maintain Your Treasure
Now that you have created your own take on a family heirloom, you should take good care of it so you can enjoy it everyday. It’s important that we care for our heirlooms correctly; by doing this, you’re ensuring your jewellery is being kept in the best quality and condition for as long as possible. Did you know that keeping your jewellery in a velvet jewellery box will help to keep your pieces nice and shiny!
To maintain the gemstones in their settings, it is important to regularly check their settings to ensure they are secure. You don’t want to lose any gemstones because it was not securely set. It is also important to check the gemstone for any damage. Particular gemstones, like diamonds, are unlikely to get damaged as they are very tough, but other, softer gemstones are prone to chipping, scratching and becoming worn. It may be necessary to replace the stone. To find out how to give your pieces a check, read our blog on Spring Cleaning your Jewellery Box.
We hope you have found this blog useful in answering your questions about redesigning heirloom jewellery. Don't hesitate in contacting us, we are always happy to help! Book an appointment with us today to explore our collaborative process to recreate your heirloom jewellery.
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