Repurposing old jewellery to create new heirlooms is a meaningful way to honour family history while creating something new and unique. Outdated or damaged pieces of jewellery can be transformed into beautiful, custom treasures that can be passed down for generations. You can reuse the gemstones or melt the metal from an old piece of jewellery to create a new piece of jewellery that suits your style. By using family mementos to create new designs, you can preserve the memories associated with the original piece while giving it new life and significance.
Kristen Baird, a jewellery designer whose signature style evokes nature’s natural beauty, gave her tips for heirloom redesigns:
- Stay Loyal to Your Aesthetic
In art, a commission is a request for a unique original work in the style of a particular artist. I consider all my custom pieces to be commissions because they are original works of art created in collaboration with the client. While in the past I used to work very hard to accommodate every request, my business really started to thrive when I started being true to myself. Now, people come to me specifically for my Kristen Baird® style. I’m happier and so are my clients!
- Honour Their Story
Heirloom jewellery is special because of the story it tells. Take the time to learn about the person this jewellery once belonged to and why your client loved them. Then, incorporate those sweet personal touches to transform your piece from something beautiful to something extraordinary. A beautiful story elevates your piece to a genuine work of art.
Whether it’s a simple redesign or a completely new creation, jewellers can use their expertise and creativity to craft a custom heirloom that reflects the customer’s unique story and history.
- Facilitate Transformation
Sometimes, clients will come to you with jewellery connected to difficult changes, such as divorce or a death in the family. They may have complicated feelings about these pieces and how their meaning has shifted over time. By listening closely, you can help your client process these changes by recreating their old jewellery into something new and forward-looking that they can treasure.
- Consider Sets and Multiples
If a client comes to you with several pieces or a large piece with lots of elements, consider breaking it up into smaller pieces. Matching rings and necklaces make gorgeous gifts for family members, or you could opt for a stacking ring set or a whole matching ensemble!
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The more elements of heirloom jewellery you’re able to incorporate into your redesign, the more special the piece becomes—and the more sustainable. I always challenge myself to use as many of the original materials as possible, from melting down metals to setting every teeny accent diamond. It saves on cost and is better for the environment.
Commissions often incorporate heirloom gems and reflect the individual or couple. These original pieces are true treasures that can be passed down for generations.
- Be Transparent and Communicative
Transparency has always been a core value of my business. Whether we’re talking about pricing, design, or timeline, I always make sure my clients and I are on the same page. It’s important to agree on everything before getting to work. This will put their mind at ease and avoid a lot of future headaches for you!
- Post and Promote
The process of transforming heirloom jewellery into brand-new pieces is exciting and fascinating. Take the extra time to document the process and then share it on social media. This will get people talking and draw more potential customers. Plus, clients usually love seeing their pieces featured. It’s a win-win-win!
Article courtesy of Interweave
