There are many engagement rings stored in drawers. Some are inherited, and their design no longer suits the person who has them now. Others have become too small or damaged. And others belong to a stage of life that has passed. In all cases, the stone and gold are still there, and they can become something you wear again.
Why redesign instead of storing it away
An engagement ring usually features the family's finest stone and high-quality gold. Stored away, it serves no one. Redesigned, it preserves what makes it valuable—the materials and, if you wish, its history—and adapts to the person who will wear it today.
And if you want just the opposite—to start from scratch with those materials—that is also possible. The stone remembers nothing: you give it its meaning.
Ideas for redesigning it
A new ring with the same stone
The most common option. The stone is removed and set in a contemporary design: a different type of setting, a different color of gold, or colored stones around it. A classic solitaire can become a piece with much more character.
A pendant
Ideal if you don't wear rings or if you want to wear it close to you without it being an engagement ring. The centerpiece stone works just as well around your neck.
Earrings
If the ring has several stones, they can be divided between two earrings. It is also a way to share a legacy between two people: one earring for each, or two pieces of jewelry made with the same stones.
Add it to your wedding band
Melting the gold from an inherited ring with that of your wedding band, or setting its stone in it, unites two stories in a single piece of jewelry.
Before taking it apart: take a close look at what you have
Not all rings should be taken apart. Some have historical value or craftsmanship that is no longer practiced, and in those cases, I recommend keeping them. I also examine the stone: if it is damaged, it can often be re-cut, restoring all its brilliance.
If you are not sure what stone or metal it is, I explain where to start in how to tell if a piece of jewelry is made of gold.
How the process works
It begins with a conversation: what you have, what history it carries, and what you would like to wear. From there, I design the new piece, we refine it until it is exactly what you want, and it is handcrafted in my workshop in Madrid. If you are abroad, we do it via video call and you send me the ring by courier.
The complete step-by-step guide is in how a custom piece of jewelry is made.
Do you have a ring stored away?
Write to me with a few photos and I will tell you what can be done with it. And if you want to see more ideas, check out what to do with inherited jewelry.