Item: Twisted two-tone ring with flush set diamonds for ‘R’
Occasion: 40th birthday gift
Materials: Repurposed 18ct gold and diamonds, with sterling silver
Brief: Repurposing an heirloom ring to create a wearable simple twist ring for a special birthday gift.
I was approached by a very dear friend to design and make a special ring for her daughter’s 40th birthday. She wanted to use her own mother’s engagement ring for the project. This was a beautiful 1970’s blue sapphire and diamond gold cluster ring. It was very cherished, but also not worn and sitting in a draw, so she wanted to give it a ‘second life’ by using it for several new pieces for her daughters and granddaughter.
We had an initial meeting to review the donor ring and decide how to use the materials. I was given creative freedom on a design for R’s birthday ring, but asked for some photos and guidance on the type of jewellery she preferred. The brief was something simple, understated, and very wearable, but with a distinctive design to make it special.
The recipient’s engagement ring and wedding band are platinum, so we explored how to tie in the precious metal to coordinate. As the metal available to repurpose was 18ct gold, and in consideration of the budget, we decided to add sterling silver to the design to compliment the platinum in her other jewellery.
After some lovely discussions to look at options, we decided on a two-tone twisted ring with flush set diamonds in the gold sections. Luckily, we knew the correct size needed as the donor ring had been resized in the past for the recipient to wear for her wedding.
Before starting work, I had to deconstruct the original ring. This was a slow and careful process to ensure the gemstones were not damaged. Any materials not being used were bagged separately for storage and future use. There are already at least two other pieces of jewellery planned with gemstones and leftover gold.
After twisting the gold and silver together to make the band, I filed the edges to add profile and definition to each section for a softer shape. I then used six of the diamonds to flush set into the gold sections of the ring. The ring was then polished ready to be sent off for hallmarking.
This was a charming project and a perfect example of how one piece of jewellery can be given a second life and bring joy to multiple wearers for many years to come.