Heirloom jewelry is wonderful to have, except when it’s simply not you. Yes, the vintage or antique craftsmanship and design feel awe-inspiring to touch, and you appreciate the memory and sentimental value, but you can’t imagine yourself wearing it. What happens is your family heirloom is buried at the bottom of a jewelry box. It doesn’t have to be like that, though. You can have your custom jewelry in San Diego made from heirloom jewelry – that way you preserve the past for the future and make it relevant to you.

There are many reasons why people choose to make custom jewelry from heirlooms

If you have heirloom jewelry that you don’t wear, you’re not alone by any means. There are so many reasons why people don’t wear heirloom jewelry:

• The design doesn’t suit them
• They are not into antique and vintage jewelry
• The piece may be beautifully designed, but featuring glass elements instead of gemstones (and it shows)
• The piece may be damaged or in poor condition

Talk to jewelers who have experience in custom jewelry in San Diego

It’s best to ask experienced jewelers for opinion and advice on what to do. The ways in which you can remodel your jewelry are numerous and various. You can control the extent to which you keep the new design similar to the old. You can keep the general layout of the design the same, with just small alterations to details. For example, you could add a halo around the center stone on a ring. Or you could add minute metalwork like studs around the stones in a ring or a pendant. Maybe you like the piece, but don’t like the metal. You can keep the design and the stones, and just change the metal. You could keep just an element or two of the old design and make a new design that reflects your taste completely. You can turn a ring into a pendant, earrings, a bracelet, etc. Earrings can also be repurposed into a ring. You can use diamonds from a watch bracelet and make them into a ring or pair of earrings. A necklace can be turned into bracelets. Pearls can be restrung into a different design and a different length, and they can also be combined with other pearls or stones for a fresh design. The takeaway is – there is really a huge number of options. If you want to be sure that the results will be to your satisfaction, choose a reputed and trusted jeweler to bring your design to life.

What to take into consideration

If the giver of the jewelry is still living, you may want to take their feelings and thoughts into account when making the decision whether to remodel the piece or not. Some people don’t want you to change the piece, because they see its value in the integrity. If you got the heirloom through an estate, this isn’t a problem. Even still, some family members might oppose your ideas. However, if the piece is yours, it’s your decision to make.

Looking for jewelers to entrust with your custom jewelry in San Diego?

If you are looking for reputable jewelers to make your custom jewelry in San Diego, make sure you book an appointment at Leo Hamel’s Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store. We’re San Diego’s largest independent jewelry store. Given our vast offer, including new and like-new fine jewelry and watches, and the skill and experience of our jewelers and watchmakers, it’s obvious Leo Hamel’s is your go-to choice when you want to repurpose heirloom jewelry into new a legacy for the future!