Recently, I had the honour of completing a truly special project—a ring that not only encapsulates beauty but also carries within it a connection to family.
My client entrusted me with heirloom diamonds passed onto her from her grandmother (pictured below), and it was my privilege to give them new life in a bespoke piece of jewellery.
Inspired by the ebb and flow of the ocean, I hand-carved the ring to interlock with my client’s engagement ring which I made for her many years ago. Its organic shape was reminiscent of tide lines, adorned with the glimmering beauty of these precious heirloom gemstones.
After carefully removing the five diamonds from my client’s grandmothers ring, they were set into the new ring I hand caved in 18ct yellow gold, each one a precious link to family. As I worked, I felt a profound sense of responsibility to honour the history and significance of these stones, to create a piece that would not only be beautiful but would also carry the love and memories of generations.
The finished ring (below) is more than just a piece of jewellery; it’s a tangible connection to the past, a symbol of love, family, and legacy. I feel privileged to have played a part in preserving this connection, and I hope that every time my client looks at her ring, she is reminded of the enduring bond between generations and the beauty of the journey that brought us here.
Reimagining Family Heirloom Stones
Something that I’m often asked to do is to restore gemstones or embed precious family heirloom stones into new designs. I am truly humbled when I am given this task and this trust by my clients, and I relish the opportunity to take something so special and meaningful and to consider how I might honour these stones and their pasts with a renewed life.
Working on this jewellery that is so symbolic for clients and their families feels like one of the greatest gifts I can get from my work.
For examples of past heirloom gemstone restorations, visit the heirloom gemstone gallery here.
If you have been holding on to some heirloom stones and would like to talk about reimagining them into a new piece of bespoke jewellery, please get in touch – info@marinaantoniou.com