A family heirloom

October 21st 2011

Old ring minus the diamond

As the prices of diamonds continue to rise the attraction of remodelling old and unused diamond rings becomes more attractive. If the diamond has a sentimental value then it is an even more inviting proposition.

A long time customer of mine came to me with the news that he was getting engaged and that he hoped to use a diamond from a family heirloom in the engagement ring. The diamond was still set in the old ring and he decided to give that ring "as is" to his fiancée to be.

His plan was to explain to her the significance of the diamond in the family and of his desire for her to have the new ring custom designed to ensure that it was exactly how she wanted it. As I had made many items of jewellery for her in the past she was well aware of the process I am about to describe in this post.

With the proposal accepted, the fiancée brought to me a picture of a design she hoped to have as her new ring. She was prepared!

My first task was to digitally edit that photo to show how the design would look with her diamond size in it. After my customer approved the look of the digitally altered image I could now quote on supplying the additional diamonds and making of the ring.

With the quote approved I then set about making a silver draft based on the graphic. This draft allowed the customer to check how the ring looked on her finger but most importantly it enable her to instruct me to make changes to the design if needed before we made her new engagement ring.

This process of digital design and a silver draft insured that this customers new engagement ring was exactly what she wanted.

The new ring.