Inherited jewelry - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Inherited jewelry

tanstaafl

My mother gave me some of her mother’s jewelry several years ago, and it has been sitting in my jewelry box ever since. I have worn it a couple of times to weddings, but it doesn’t fit into my every day style and I am considering having it remade into something I could wear more often.

The earrings are clip ons and the ring is rather large. I like the bracelet, but find bracelets annoying to wear. I’d rather have a necklace and earrings.

Has anyone here had jewelry remade into something new? I have googled extensively, but haven’t found anything that inspires me as to possible designs.

Or should I keep it and wear them only for formal occasions, which are rare in my life right now?

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from tanstaafl

Anonymous

Bracelets take time to adjust to and that one is beautiful. Are those opals? If so, they are a rather delicate stone.

tanstaafl

Yes, they are opals and pearls. I do like the bracelet, and could probably wear it more on it's own. But then what do I do with the earrings and ring?

SarahD8

Veteran

Wow, gorgeous pieces!

Are you familiar with the blog Passage des Perles? The writer discusses jewelry renovation fairly frequently. If you haven't already come across it in your googling, it might give you some insight into the thought process, and maybe even some leads on jewelers/resources.

I have a ring of my grandmother's that i would like to have remade. (It is several small diamonds in a setting that looks dated to me -- and I am a huge fan of vintage jewelry so that is saying something.) but I am not 100% sure the stones are real so I haven't had the courage to go to a jeweler and ask.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think the set is beautiful, but having it remade is definitely something to think about. I actually don't think the ring is all that big and think it could be worn daily exactly as you show it. The clip on earrings are problematic though. I find clip-ons extremely uncomfortable and would want to at least change them to regular posts.

JAileen

Veteran

It's a lovely set. If it were me I would have the earrings changed to posts. After that, I would probably figure out a sweater color that showed them off and start wearing them!

Kathie

Veteran

Those are absolutely beautiful pieces. I'd wear the ring as it is, and have the earrings converted to some non-clip on style, and then try working them into your wardrobe. Do you have a good custom jeweler in your area? If so, once you're happy with how the ring and earrings are working with your wardrobe, I'd take the bracelet to a good jeweler, and talk with them about options.

JuniperGreen

Veteran

wow - those are stunning pieces!

I'd give them a spin in your daily life - don't wait for a formal occasion but wear just the ring on a day out and about, same with the bracelet, and (if you can tolerate the clips) the earrings. As a set it might be overwhelming but individually I could definitely see them being part of everyday wear.

I agree having the earrings altered to posts (or drops if you like) might make them more wearable. Just take the lot into your local jewelers for a discussion - no pressure to make any decisions but they can advise on what's even possible.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GORGEOUS pieces. Don't change them.

Anonymous

I'm with Angie. I'd wear that ring in a heartbeat. It looks modern and fresh worn on your middle finger like that, and the colours are stunning. Just don't wear all three pieces together. I wear a pair of my late mother's pearl/silver earrings that I did have changed to a post back instead of a clip-on. I don't wear them often, but when I do , I love them. Mix your bracelet with other , finer, gold pieces and make a statement out of them.

Anonymous

They are gorgeous pieces. Stunning.

I feel your pain though. I inherited all of my Mother's jewelry and some of my Aunts. The pieces are similarly one of a kind and quite beautiful. But the jewelry was their taste, not necessarily mine. I am just recently starting to wear it as is (unaltered).

I would leave the bracelet and ring as is and wear them. I would most definitely alter the earrings so that I could wear them pierced.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That is a gorgeous set, and I would totally wear that ring in a heartbeat! But I only wear large-ish statement rings — they are a signature for me. I would not change the bracelet or ring, but ask around your local area about a really good jewelry designer who may be able to refashion the earrings into a pierced style.

I have some vintage costume sets (also inherited) I should do the same with. Not nearly as nice as yours. Treasure and enjoy!

Anonymous

Lucky you! My MIL left me with some jewelry that I hate. It's all in my jewelry cabinet for safe keeping, but I don't intend to ever wear any of it.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

you could probably have the ring made into a brooch or pendant rather easily. I've seen pieces where it had both a hidden pendant loop and clasp so it could be used either way too.

tanstaafl

It didn't take much for you all to talk me into keeping it as is for now. Except for the earrings, I think I will see about having them altered to a pierced style. As they are now, I constantly worry that I'm going to lose one unless I have them so tight that they hurt my ears.

The bracelet will come into my jewelry rotation immediately. I needed some bling for my work holiday party later this week and it should go nicely with the rest of my outfit. Wearing the ring might take a little more effort to get past my mental block on it being too formal for daywear. I barely wear my wedding ring on a regular basis.

Thank you all for you words of wisdom. My goal is to have these pieces be used instead of sitting in a box, so I might as well try using them as they are before considering other options!

karen13

Veteran

I don't wear bracelets or rings and am always envious of those on the Forum who do so effortlessly. It may just take some practice to get used to the feel.

These pieces are gorgeous and I hope you find a way to incorporate them. When I do wear my mom's pieces it really feels special.

Violettt

Hi! I love those beautiful jewelry pieces! I would wear all of them in a second! You know, with clip earrings, you can clip them on the tops edges of cardigan sweaters~one on either side. Try wearing the bracelet! You may get hooked on them. Bracelets are so fun~

The Cat

Veteran

Oh, they are beautiful. And how wonderful that they have also belonged to your mother and grandmother! I vote: Save them as they are. Otherwise, you may regret later. You may see them differently in some years. In the meantime, I guess they will look lovely worn (perhaps just one at a time) with summer clothes in white, torquoise and pastels. Don't be afraid to wear them with casual clothes like jeans and tees.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Would it be possible to add ribbon or a removable necklace extender to the bracelet and wear it as a chocker? It would all depend on how it lays.
The ring is not too much to me. Perhaps take a full length photo and a half one while wearing the ring. It may seem big to you when looking at your hand alone, but perfect when you look at your entire look.

Glad to hear that you are taking your jewelry out for a spin.

Staysfit

Veteran

I love your pieces. I happen to cherish the unique jewelry I have been given that belonged to my aunt, and grandmothers. I wear it all the time and make it part of my signature look. My mother once gave me a long braided gold chain necklace that I never wore, so I had it remade into a collar bone length necklace and three bracelets. I wear them all the time.

Mac

Veteran

Why not write to the wonderful blogger, “la duchesse” at passage des Perles? She has written many a fabulous, educational, inspiring piece about re-doing jewellery. Xo

Mainelady

Veteran

Your inherited jewelry is stunning! Consider wearing your pieces as they are for a while to see how you adjust to them. I would not save them for dresses occasions. I would see how I like wearing them daily. Maybe not all pieces at the same time.
If you like the earrings, I suggest having a post with a hinged loop put on them.
If you decide you would be happier having the pieces remade, take them to a jeweler that specializes is custom work. They will be able to offer you some ideas and make some sketches for you. I can imagine your earrings and ring made into a stunning necklace ......maybe those 3 pieces joined and crafted into a slide for a wide Omega chain. The back of the slide could also have a fastener to be worn as a brooch.
Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed. Have fun exploring how you like yours the best.

Anonymous

I probably wouldn't wear all the pieces at the same time but it's nice to think you could. They're really beautiful and while clearly not "modern" I think they're perfectly wearable as they are. You might want to get a chain clasp to be sure not to lose the bracelet?

I think if you just start wearing them you'll be surprised at how much you'll enjoy them. They may not be exactly your style but they're definitely part of your story.

tanstaafl

Violett - I hadn’t thought of clipping the earrings on to something else. I’ll have to check to see if there is a way to do so where I wouldn’t worry about them falling off.

Mainelady- I’m not sure what you are describing with the hinged loops on posts. Do you have a link or picture?

Isabel - the bracelet did have a chain, but it is broken. You can see part of it in the picture. I should get that repaired.

Mainelady

Veteran

Yes! Here are pics of the posts and slide/ brooch I mentioned. I can imagine a stunning cuff bracelet, too, but opals are very soft stones, so you would want to be careful about not wearing a cuff when working with your hands.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Veteran

Your grandma is my kinda lady. Opals are my favourite. I agree, redo just the earrings. This is a beautiful set.

Anonymous

the bracelet is amazing as are the other pieces

I wonder if the earrings would be heavy if made into pierced? perhaps a good designer could do something with them
2 nd bracelet ?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

If you added chain to it, would the bracelet lie flat, like this necklace? That could be a way to make it wearable for you without losing the craftsmanship of the piece. http://us.niravmodi.com/jewels.....-necklace/

Is the ring too big as in loose, or the stone/setting seem too big to you?

tanstaafl

The bracelet wouldn’t lie flat like that, unfortunately. The ring fits on the middle finger of my left hand, so I can’t wear my wedding ring at the same time. But I don’t mind that. I wore it yesterday, and it made me happy that it was no longer just sitting in my closet.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Nice that you wore it! And that it felt good! Could you wear it on your other hand, and keep your wedding ring on?

12