What to do with an Heirloom Diamond Engagement Ring
A Ring from your Family's Past
What is the most emotionally valuable thing that you own? People often underestimate the emotional(or sentimental) value these items carry with them. However, it's often the items with sentimental value that we hold nearest and dearest to us throughout our lives.
One category of items that historically have had a high degree of sentimental value is jewelry. But not just any jewelry...Specifically, a heirloom engagement ring.
Heirloom engagement rings are usually passedpassed down through generations of a family before ending up in your possession. It is an incredibly sentimental item and often has great value, both emotionally and financially.
If you've been lucky enough to inherit an heirloom engagement ring,you may be wondering what to do with it. Before you decide, learn about the true value of the heirloom rings.
The Story Behind your Family Engagement Ring
Some family rings may have gone through the same hardships as your distant relatives. If only these family pieces could speak!Wars, famines, and natural disasters, just to name a few of the chapters in the story your family'sring might tell. And through all the hardships and all the obstacles... it finally ended up in your possession.
This presents a very special moment for you. You are in an invaluable position to be able to honor, respect, and celebrate this diamond engagement ring and, to a larger extent, your ancestors thatworked, sacrificed, and (in some heartbreaking cases) even died to be able to have this piece of jewelry passed down to their next generation.
Your heirloom ring might be financially similar to the ring you might buy today, but when you consider the additional sentimental value, suddenly your ring is now priceless in value.
With such an invaluable item in your possession, what are your options of what you can do with the engagement ring and/or the diamond in it? Fortunately, you have many options at your disposal and no choice is the “wrong” choice. It all comes down to erence and creativity.
The True Value of the Family Engagement Ring
Let's assume, for the sake of our discussion here, that you inherited an engagement ring set in platinum, with a center diamond surrounded by a diamond halo. Now that you have this lovely ring and the stunning diamond in the center of the ring… what is your next step?
There is something intrinsically magical about a family ring and the diamond that the ring carries. The beauty and brilliance of the diamond are only eclipsed by the rich history that lives within each of those diamonds in the ring. Each diamond is a new chapter that the diamonds took to finally end up with your family and, ultimately, with you.
There are many reasons why you may want to repurpose an heirloom piece of jewelry. Whatever your reasons, there are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to repurpose your family heirloom. Perhaps, the style of the ring is no longer your taste, or maybe you want to incorporate diamonds from the ring into a new piece of jewelry. So, when we talk about repurposing a family ring, what we are talking about is taking the incredible story of that family ring and giving it a new life. Heirloom engagement rings carrystoriesthat you have the honor to preserve and highlight. While repurposing the inherited heirloom engagement ring, you will keep your family story alive while also creating something new and beautiful that you can enjoy for years to come.
Later in this article we will talk about some specific ideas of how you can repurpose your family engagement ring and its diamonds.
Step-by-step, let's go over your journey in repurposing your family ring.
Find the Right Jewelry Store
Find a qualified jeweler to work on your heirloom ring
You will want to make sure you are working with a qualified, jewelry store and a professional jeweler. The right jeweler has the experience and expertise to help you create a piece of jewelry that not only looks amazing but will also stand the test of time. A knowledgeable jeweler will guide and advise you on your journey of either making changes to your family heirloom engagement ring or completely redesigning it into a new piece of jewelry.
If you are interested to learn more about Roman Jewelers' master jewelers and designers, click here Meet the jewelers and designers ready to work on your custom pieces.
Have the Ring Professionally Appraised and Diamonds Graded
Get the family heirloom ring appraised. This will help you to learn the financial value of the ring as well as give you a better idea of what type of setting and piece of jewelry would best suit your needs.
Ask for the center diamond and the semi-mount to be appraised
You might ask the appraiser to separately appraise the family center diamond in the heirloom engagement ring, especially if the diamond has not been graded before or if there is no appraisal that you can locate. Understanding what you have will greatly help you in where you ultimately want to go with your heirloom ring.
Have the Diamond Checked for Chips and Damage
Check your diamonds for chips and damage
You need to learn all the small details about your family heirloom. The more information you have, the easier it will be for you and your jeweler to work with the existing ring. Why is that important? Because you might decide to replace the chipped or damaged diamonds with new diamonds that would match the rest of the diamonds in the setting in size, color, and clarity.
Deciding What to Do with the Heirloom Engagement Ring and/or the Center Diamond
Let’s dive in a little deeper and discuss options and ideas of how you can use your family ring. The great news is that you can do anything, from a custom engagement ring to maybe even an entirely new piece of custom jewelry.
Let's talk about the “what” (as in, what to do with a family ring) and the “why” (as in why would you want to do anything with that family ring). What is all the fuss about the inherited engagement ring or the family diamond in it? Is a family diamond any more valuable than a diamond of the same carat weight, cut, clarity, and color as a diamond you could go out and buy today? The answer to that question is not as black and white as you might think.Learn more about the value and quality of diamonds
Whether you decide to remove the center diamond from its setting and create a new, custom engagement ring or repurpose it into another piece of custom jewelry, here are a few ideas of what you can do with your family heirloom. From doing nothing with the ring and wearing it as is, to creating a custom designed piece of jewelry.
Do Absolutely Nothing!
Let's start with not to changing anything in the family engagement ring. This might sound like a cop-out but, sometimes, the best thing you can do is to leave beautiful things as they are. If your family diamond is in good condition and you are happy with the way the ring looks, then there is no reason to change a thing! Just wear the engagement ring as is and enjoy! Or save the engagement ring for your next custom jewelry endeavor if that would suit and serve you better.
Reset the Diamond into a New Setting
One option is to reset the center diamond from your family diamond engagement ring into a new setting. This is a great way to update an old, damaged, or dated setting. Or perhaps you do not like the setting style. By resetting the diamond into a new setting, you will keep the tradition of wearing an engagement ring alive.
Perhaps, you prefer a setting to be in white gold to the one in yellow gold. You can keep the central round-cut diamond but instead of a halo, you can use those smaller diamonds to pave the band.
Design a New Custom, one-of-a-kind Engagement Ring ora Pendant, a Pair of Earrings or, Perhaps, a Cocktail Ring
Design a custom one-of-a-kind ring
This is probably the most popular option as it allows you to keep the tradition of the family engagement ring alive while also creating something unique and tailor-made for you. Take the round-cut diamond in all its brilliance and use it as the nucleus of a brand-new engagement ring. Change anything from the setting to the metals and everything in-between but as it stands, you know you have your diamond shining with a beautiful history.
Now you are ready to create something stunning and, at the same time,nostalgic,I’m going to present a few ideas for you to hopefully spark some inspiration as you read.
Keep in mind that, because this is all preference and individual taste, there is no wrong answer! Consult with your jeweler, talk about what inspires you and let your imagination run wild! The sky is truly the limit when it comes to what can be done, design-wise. But before you start working with your jeweleron designing that special one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, please download and read this e-guide titled Custom Jewelry Guide by Roman Jewelers. Free guide to Custom Jewelry Design.
Now it's time to get really creative!One thing's for sure. Your family will be happy to keep the heirloom piece of jewelry in the family, and for the family engagement ring to continue its journey.
In my previous example, we have taken our engagement ring and changed it...into another engagement ring. But what if we broke outside that box and instead, created multiple pieces of jewelry from our initial family engagement ring and the center diamond?
The smaller diamonds that once served as a halo around the round-cut diamond can serve many purposes to give you even more flexibility. You have the option to get creative with your jeweler to incorporate them into your new pair of gold earrings. You can create a custom one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry such as a necklace, bracelet, or a cocktail ring.You'llbe repurposing everything in your family engagement ring: the metal, the center diamond, and the small diamonds in the halo surrounding the center stone.
As you can see, there are a multitude of options when it comes to what you can do with an inherited diamond or a piece of heirloom jewelry. And, regardless of repurposing, your one piece offamily jewelry into one, two, or even three custom jewelry items, one constant needs to remain at the forefront of your mind...the diamonds.
The diamonds in your family jewelry are what makes the piece so special and unique. After all, diamonds are not only incredibly rare but they are also incredibly beautiful. They have been used throughout history to signify love, power, and status. So, when you are thinking about repurposing your family’s diamonds, make sure you are doing it in a way that is not only creative but also respectful to the diamonds and their history.
Determine what Metals you would like to Use
This is determined, largely, by what piece of jewelry you intend to craft. A plethora of possibilities is at your fingertips as there will always be a precious metal to accompany and complement the design. 14K or 18K gold in white, yellow or pink colors. Or maybe platinum?Possibly a combination of different metals?
To Sum Up...
I hope this article has given you some ideas of what you can do with your family heirloom engagement ring. Whether you decide to reset the diamond, create a new piece of jewelry, or simply leave it as is, the most important thing is that you are happy.
I don’t want you to think for a second that you are doing a disservice to the family jewelry by repurposing it in some fashion. By doing that, youare taking a precious diamond engagement ring that has been in your family for years and giving it a new life for generations to come.
Follow your heart and you will be overjoyed with the outcome. Think of the journey your family diamond or engagement ring took to end up in your possession and the result will be something that shows respect and love for those who came before you.
Honor the past and we help pave our way to a better future.
Contact Us.
If you've inherited a family heirloom and are interested in a consultation to decide what to do with it, please contact us at Roman Jewelers, 500 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ.
Why a Custom Engagement Ring?
when it comes to buying an engagement ring. Between the diamond, setting, band, and other details, there are countless options. And sometimes, the right combination of these options just can’t be found. Custom engagement rings are usually for those who can’t find what they want in a display case or those who just want to create something original. The custom ring-making process allows a customer to work side-by-side with a skilled jewelry team to design and create a jewelry piece that has everything they are looking for. First, one of our designers will meet with the clients to discuss what they are looking for in their custom engagement ring. This designer will then sketch a draft of the potential ring, and edit it according to the customer’s feedback and critique. Once the drawing is finalized, it is sent to a digital model maker, who translates the design into a 3-D, computerized version. From there, we create a wax model to be approved by the customer, cast the ring, and set it with diamonds to create the finished product. Not only does custom jewelry design allow you to get exactly what you want from a ring stylistically, but it also gives an engagement ring greater meaning and purpose. Custom jewelry design lets you bring your own story and personality to your engagement ring, to create something that represents you rather than the company it was purchased from. The magic of a custom engagement ring is that it is as unique as the relationship it commemorates, something that cannot be said for a regular store-bought ring. For more information on custom engagement rings, or to inquire about making your own custom engagement ring, visit Roman Jewelers.
Custom Jewelry – The Heart of Roman Jewelers
A kaleidoscope of custom jewelry waxes
Romance grows this time of year, and nothing is more romantic than a personal, unique gift of jewelry. Brides and grooms, husbands and wives and lovers of all kinds are choosing custom designed jewelry from Roman Jewelers. Part of the process of creating custom jewelery is the wax model. Customers love to see a representation of what their jewelry will actually look like, and we love adding it to our wall of fame…
Tips on Customizing an Engagement Ring Using a Family Diamond
Engagement Ring Custom Designed by Roman Jewelers
Did you or your fiancé-to-be have the luck to receive an engagement ring from your grandmother or a diamond wedding band from a relative in your family? Heirloom pieces carry a lot of sentimental value, but may not look exactly the way you would like. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to create a custom designed engagement ring with the existing center stone that you’ve received? Here is how to do it.by Anna Sacca
What’s Your Style?
The first step in the process of customizing your engagement ring is discovering exactly what you like. Solitaire, pronged, and halo are just a few of the options. Keep in mind that any setting you choose can be made to fit to accommodate your center stone. Whether you have an emerald, oval, asscher, cushion, radiant, or heart-shaped diamond or a beautiful colored gemstone, you will need to find the perfect setting to display your stone.
Start by browsing for ideas online or download a jewelry app to your phone, such as the one from Simon G Jewelry. This app includes a “Try it On!” feature which allows you to upload a picture of your hand to see how different ring styles will look on your finger. A window-shopping session at your local jewelry store will give you a hands-on experience that will really help you narrow down your search to discover exactly what you like. Remember this is a piece of jewelry you’ll be wearing on your left hand for the rest of your life so it is important to get it right.
Set Up a Budget
You’re in luck! Resetting a family stone to create a custom engagement ring isn’t as expensive as purchasing a new ring. So don’t stress too much about the old “two-month salary” standard to assess how much you should spend. A good jeweler will collaborate with you on the design and will use your stones and/or materials from your existing band to create the ring of your dreams while saving you money. Make sure to communicate your budget and vision clearly to your jeweler to ensure a happy ending in your ring shopping process.
Keep the Wedding Ring in Mind
It’s customary to wear engagement and wedding rings on the same finger so you may want discuss with your jeweler how your two rings will fit together.
Your jewelry designer will be able to sketch your dream rings to give you an idea of how they will fit together. Here at Roman Jewelers, we introduced a high-tech computer program that allows our customers to visualize their custom bridal jewelry.
If you’re interested in working with us to create custom handmade jewelry, please visit our New Jersey locations in Flemington and Bridgewater and click here for more details: https://www.romanjewelers.com/page/custom-jewelry.html
Custom Designed Tanzanite Ring by Roman Jewelers
Tanzanite Ring, custom designed by Roman Jewelers Yes, we are very proud of this tanzanite ring that was custom designed and made in our shop at Roman Jewelers last month. One of our customers presented us with a challenge of creating a custom designed ring for her with a tanzanite she purchased while on a trip to Africa. A little bit of history. Tanzanite was first discovered by man in 1967 when an enormous grassfire swept the land below Kilimanjaro clear. In its rough natural state tanzanite is a brownish color. Before the fire broke out the stones looked unattractive and were hardly noticeable. After the grassfire had burnt the land and heated the stones, they turned a bright, glittering violet-blue. Today, gem-quality tanzanites have become one of the world’s most sought after stones. As beautiful as tanzanite stones are, they also present a challenge to a jeweler working with it. Natural tanzanite rates 6.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness (the scale rates the scratch-resistant properties of various gemstones and minerals, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest). That means that the jeweler has to be very careful while working with the gem, and especially when applying pressure to the stone while pressing the prongs that hold the stone in place. The stunning ring that you are looking at is a result of a team work of talented jewelers and designers at Roman Jewelers. The ring was designed by Allyson Berlen, the model created by Roman Ustaev, and the ring finished by our master jewelers. The ring is made in 14K white gold, with 158 round diamonds weighing 1.37 cts., iIn total. The beautiful center stone is gem-quality cushion cut tanzanite weighing 29.98 cts, of fine deep saturated vivid purple-blue. “Designing and making a ring of this caliber is a challenge and an honor,” says Allyson Berlen. “It gives me a tremendous pleasure of making one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry that I know will be passed from one generation to the next.”
When Emeralds and Diamonds Fit Together, a Beautiful Three-Stone Ring is Formed
Since posting a graphic of the three-stone ring with an emerald-cut diamond and two green emeralds a few days ago, I received phone calls and e-mails asking me to post a photo of the finished ring. Here it is for all to admire and enjoy. I know that the picture does not do the ring justice it deserves - I am still a photographer in training. But if you have a diamond and would like to redesign it into a different piece of jewelry while addingcolored stones to the design, only your imagination - or the lack of - can limit you. You see, not only are diamonds beautiful stones by themselves, they work great with many colored stones, bringing an array of new feelings and emotions to the wearer.
A New Twist on a Classic Ring; Two Emeralds and a Diamond
Emerald and Diamond Custom Ring What do you get when you put togethertwoemeralds and one emerald-cut diamond? You get a new twist on a classic three-stone ring.Here is what we designed; a stunning ring, with the customer's diamond in the center and two magnificent bright deep-green emeralds on each side of the diamond. To add more delicate details to the ring, we added small round, baguette, and pear-shape diamonds, all set into intricate filigree-like design. The ring is made in platinum. And that is exactly what one of our customers asked for. She owned an emerald-cut diamondset into a simple setting.She wanted to add color to the ring, and make a three-stone ring that wouldstill be traditional, but with an unusual flavor.
Bring New Life to Your Diamond Jewelry and Love it Again
Choose a halo setting like this one from Tacori to remount your round diamond.
We are always surprised to hear from friends and customers that they are no longer wearing their engagement or wedding rings. It’s sad, actually—and the reasons they aren’t wearing them are even sadder. The good news is that Roman Jewelers can help! We’ve set up a special event on August 20 & 21 so everyone can love (and wear) their jewelry again.
There are several reasons women no longer wear and love their diamond jewelry, including simply not liking it because it feels outdated. Whether it’s the cut, the metal color, or even the size of the diamond, many women choose to leave their rings in a jewelry box instead of enjoying them.
That’s why we’ve decided to host a special event where customers can Remount, Refashion, Trade Up, or Trade In their diamonds.
The event will be held on August 20th in Flemington and August 21st in Bridgewater.
Remounting your existing diamond ring gives it new life and added protection in a new setting. Roman Jewelers will set your diamond(s) into a new ring while you wait during this event—or anytime with an appointment.
Refashioning allows you to create a custom piece using heirloom jewelry or stones from other designs. You may want to commemorate an anniversary or meaningful life event with a one-of-a-kind creation.
You can also Trade In or Trade Up what you already have. Some women want larger or higher-quality diamonds, and during this event only, Roman Jewelers will purchase your old diamonds and apply the credit toward a new diamond, new setting, or anything else in our store.
Best of all, many of these services happen while you wait. With three jewelers on staff and an appointment, you can watch your diamond jewelry transform into something you’ll love and wear again.
To schedule an appointment:
Flemington: (908) 782-8240
Bridgewater: (908) 575-1242
Custom Jewelry Design at Roman Jewelers Starts with the Customer
Every customer that wants a custom design comes in with an idea of what they are trying to accomplish—from the simplest hint like, “I want it to look like something my Grandma would wear,” to elaborate and detailed descriptions of exactly what they envision. Sometimes, customers see something they like in a magazine and want Roman Jewelers to recreate it with different touches or different stones. In the end, they choose custom because only a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry will do.
“Custom design starts with the customer,” says Allyson Quaglia, jewelry design expert and Director of Sales at Roman Jewelers. Allyson, along with co-owner and 4th generation jewelry designer Lucy Zimmerman, carry on the tradition of custom design at Roman Jewelers in Bridgewater and Flemington, NJ.
Allyson describes a recent situation where a customer wanted to use colored stones from several family heirlooms and also wanted to match an existing pair of earrings. It may sound challenging, but the customer worked with Allyson from start to finish, and together they brought the idea to life.
Allyson starts the process by getting an idea of the customer’s style. She walks with the customer around Roman Jewelers, looks at pieces in the cases, and gathers information on preferences—traditional or modern looks, or even something a bit art deco. Often, they discuss techniques incorporated into certain jewelry pieces, like engraving versus millgrain, and the type of finish or polish they prefer.
The next step is a quick sketch. The designers at Roman Jewelers are experts at putting pencil to paper right in front of the customer and showing concepts within minutes. Once the customer approves the look, the sketch is created as a 3D CAD drawing and reviewed again.
After approval of the CAD drawing, an actual wax model is made, and the customer comes in to see it. Time and care are given at every step so there are no surprises—only amazement.
Once the wax is approved, a mold is created and the jewelry is cast. After casting, the final finishing touches are done by an in-house bench jeweler. The piece is cleaned, pre-polished, and stones are set if applicable. Fine detail finishing then continues depending on the complexity of the design.
Customers often enjoy returning to see the final setting or polishing of their custom-designed work of art.
“That is precisely what it is: a work of art,” adds Allyson. “It is something cherished, memorable, and personal—a piece that can be worn and enjoyed for a lifetime, and beyond.”
More information about custom design at Roman Jewelers can be found at https://www.romanjewelers.com/page/custom-jewelry.html