Wear it Don’t Warehouse it: One Inherited Ring Redesign Makes a New Jewelry Wardrobe

Cocktail ring with many gems. Inherited ring redesign candidate.

Part Way Through Taking This Ring Apart

A funny story about an inherited ring redesign. Marcia, (names changed to protect the lucky) inherited a very large, very ‘yesterday,’ super dressy cocktail ring. It sat unworn and overwhelmingly alone in a safe deposit box; an inherited ring’s idea of Hell.

Happily she met me, and we had some serious fun with that cocktail inherited ring redesign.

But First It Started With a Broken String of Pearls

trillian diamond and ruby slide pendant

Her Center Trillian was Surrounded by Rubies to Soften it’s Yellow Color

While doing a backlog of jewelry repairs, I mentioned to Marcia my passion for making new jewelry using inherited and unworn jewelry.

“Boy have I got a ring to show you!” She grinned and almost cackled. “You won’t believe it!”

Hoops and sapphire ear charms

She Loved Ear Charms for Her Little Hoops

“When can I come see this paragon of unbelievability?” I was pretty excited.

“When you get my repairs done.” Sweet smile. “Ha!”

Pendant with diamonds and emeralds in yellow gold

Diamond and Emerald Pendant a Perfect Use For Three Emeralds.

Needless to say all her repairs were done pronto! Pearls, sizings, an amethyst replacement and a new clasp.

“Show me the ring!” I said.

“Show me the repairs!” She replied.

Pear shaped emeralds with diamond accents as ear charms

Darker Emerald Ear Charms

“Cruel woman!”

“Deal with it!” She unwrapped them all very slowly from my perspective.

Did I tell you she’s super funny? Anyway she shows me this inherited ring out of the Ripley’s Believe it or Not jewelry box. There were tons of diamonds, some emeralds and some sapphires. With different sizes and shapes and qualities all on this one huge, enormous, gigantic, did I mention it was big? Ring!

Inherited Ring Redesign Questions

White gold and Marquis and round diamond heart pendant

Awesome Graduated Marquis and Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Heart Pendant

We were thinking that toward the end of Marcia’s Grandma’s life, some relative said, “you’re going to the old folks home now Grandma and we’ll take care of your jewelry, but you can take one ring.” So she loaded all her favorite gems onto one ring!

Feeling the Love For Grandma

Marcia wanted to make a necklace for her daughter Taylor and so we started to take apart the ring. Multiple pendants and earrings later we used up all the gems. It was so much fun.

Alternating sapphire and diamond earrings

We Made This Cool and Flexible Earring and Pendant Set From the Many Sapphires and Diamonds

We’re all feeling the love for Grandma now. She’s being talked about, with stories told and that’s what inherited jewelry is for, to prompt thoughts of the giver.

This inherited ring redesign started as an idea and became a gift to a daughter and many daily wear pieces of jewelry. Marcia is loving her new jewelry and that’s making my day!

What About You?

Is there inherited jewelry being warehoused in your life? Break it out, call your Jeweler. Wear it Don’t Warehouse it!

For more examples watch my video, Wear it Don’t Warehouse it!

Santa Barbara Inheritance Jewelry Redesign Specialist

But if you’re outside of Santa Barbara, I can help you too!

Calla Gold

More in the Inherited Jewelry Series:

Wear it Don’t Warehouse it: One Inherited Ring Redesign Makes a New Jewelry Wardrobe

Inherited Jewelry, From Unworn to Cherished, Debra’s Story

Inherited Jewelry – What to Do With Your Inherited Jewelry?

Inherited Jewelry – Telling Jewelry Stories – Karen’s Story

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About Calla Gold

Calla Gold is a Personal Jeweler and Author who takes pride in working with clients one-on-one to integrate their personal sense of style and taste into custom designed jewelry and repaired jewelry pieces.   Unlike typical Santa Barbara jewelry businesses, Calla Gold has no brick-and-mortar location. Calla Gold comes to you, bringing you the jewelry collection you want to see and collaborating with you to create unique custom jewelry. Calla also works with at-a-distance clients.

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Diane Wallace
Diane Wallace
11 years ago

Wow, So neat Calla!

Geneva de la Rouge
11 years ago

It’s so much fun to see our jewelry change and evolve as we do.
As a Visionary my creative mind is always evolving and my jewelry choices must reflect these changes.
It’s so empowering to have a redesigned piece that you can fall in love with all over again, that can now vibrate brighter, better, clearer.

Amy Marie Orozco
8 years ago

Inspiring! As usual, Calla Gold, you got me thinking about my neglected jewelry box. And, I have a cocktail ring that sits dormant …