Heirloom jewelry is commonly presented as a gift for auspicious occasions such as weddings, engagements, births, and coming-of-age ceremonies. Maybe you inherited or were gifted antique or vintage jewelry recently. You must be wondering what this form of jewelry is and how much it’s worth because it’s typically quite different from traditional jewelry.
What Is Heirloom Jewelry?
Heirloom jewelry is any piece of jewelry that has been passed through generations in a family. At times, its only worth is sentimental in some cases. The monetary worth is significant because of the usage of premium materials or diamonds and gemstones. Heirloom items have one-of-a-kind patterns that aren’t seen in the market.
These items are a beautiful way for many people to keep the past alive. It is a tangible way for them to connect with it. Heirloom jewelry can be used to represent culture and history, as well as to invoke pleasant memories. Their worth is enhanced by the fact that they can be passed down to future generations.
There are several types of heirloom jewelry like watches, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. If you are looking to revamp a piece of heirloom jewelry, Wellington, FL, has numerous reliable jewelry stores that will guide you every step of the way.
Repurpose Your Heirloom Jewelry
Heirloom jewelry is sometimes compared to a faded picture by a great artist — a valuable piece that must be returned to its former glory.
Other antique pieces beg to be revived as new pieces of jewelry. If the jewelry is of unique family heritage, this may not be appropriate; however, there are situations when jewelry can be reinvented. Time, outmoded trends, and major damage that may have rendered a piece beyond repair are just a few of the reasons why legacy jewelry is deconstructed and repurposed.
Because jewelry is supposed to be worn, transforming an heirloom into a new item that reflects your style increases the likelihood of you wearing it and is a wonderful way of keeping the recollections of dear ones alive. Below are a few ideas in which you can repurpose an old piece of jewelry.
- Make a new version of an old piece. When it comes to vintage pieces that are too little, fragile or broken to wear, a little creativity can accomplish wonders. Completely change the jewelry by turning a brooch into a bracelet or repurposing cufflinks as earrings.
- Dress it up in a fresh way. A necklace can be turned into a bracelet by wrapping it around your wrist. A brooch can be worn as a hair adornment or a pendant. As a decorative element, piercing or clipped earrings can be fastened to a garment, worn alone or in pairs. The most straightforward heirloom makeover is rethinking how the jewelry piece is worn.
- If the jewelry is broken or the original setting isn’t worth salvaging, you can use the gems to create an entirely new piece of jewelry. Something more stylish that you may wear more often and which represents your true self. You can even divide the jewels among siblings and other family members so that everyone has a bit of the past to pass on.
- Make multiple miniature versions of a larger item of jewelry. Earrings can be made from the gems of a showpiece necklace. Earrings with a matching pendant could be made using diamonds from a brooch or a large wrist band or ring.
- Replace the metal. A clear diamond placed on a white gold or platinum band will appear shinier and give the jewelry a more modern look.
- You can also turn a necklace into a ring or turn a long vintage pearl necklace into multiple smaller ones and share it with other family members.
- Bring it back to life. Sometimes all an heirloom piece of jewelry requires is a little refining. Take your antique or vintage jewel to a jeweler to make sure there are no loose gemstones and have them cleaned or polished properly.
In Conclusion
Before you start redesigning your jewelry, take it to a jeweler or jewelry evaluator to know the historical or monetary worth of your treasured piece. They can advise you if your piece is worth saving or whether it would be a suitable candidate for being transformed into something new.
However, don’t feel disheartened if you don’t own any heirloom jewelry. If you love vintage items and historical pieces that narrate a story of their own, you can always purchase a preowned piece. You can even recreate this forgotten treasure to make an heirloom piece of your own to pass down through the generations. Contact Designer’s Touch Jewelry if you’re looking for custom jewelry, jewelry repair, engagement rings, or just-because gifts.