Repurposing Heirloom Jewelry

If you love jewelry like we do, you’ve probably seen an unusual piece and asked yourself “where’d that come from?”

For instance, when seeing a pair of earrings like the ones pictured here, made from coins, you might wonder if they are heirloom coins that someone made into earrings. If so, how’s that done? Where do you go to have that done?

We met with our expert, Tom, the Estate Buyer for Ross-Simons. He explained that the process of taking an heirloom and converting it into a new piece of jewelry is called “repurposing.”

When someone inherits a piece of jewelry, they may or may not want to wear it.

But it has such sentimental value they don’t want to part with it, either. That’s when they consult with an expert like Tom. He may have some suggestions.

For instance, he met a woman who inherited a 36” pearl strand necklace from her mother. She thought it was too long and didn’t want it.

“Do you have any daughters?” he asked her.

“Yes, two,” was her reply.

Tom came up with an idea that the woman loved. And the result was this: when one of her daughters got married the following year, she was wearing an 18” necklace of her grandmother’s pearls.

Her other daughter, the bride’s sister was also in the wedding party and wore an 18” necklace of her grandmother’s pearls, too.

Two heirloom necklaces from one – not expensive, and bringing new life to an old piece: that is the ultimate in repurposing!

Just remember Tom’s expert advice: “A rash decision is a bad decision. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Good thinking.

So tell us, what jewelry do you have that you might want “repurposed”?