Whether it’s a stone upgrade, precious metal change, or merging different pieces into one, there are many ways to transform the baubles in your jewelry box, and a number of reasons why.
Autumn came to us years ago with several pieces she wanted to restore or redesign. And each piece was made with stones that had their own sentimental value.
Hunsinger recently finished three new pieces crafted with the sentimental stones in Autumn’s jewelry box.
A coral-inspired white gold and yellow diamond cocktail ring with matching earrings were created from the gold and stones from her original engagement ring.
And a smoky quartz from her mother’s original engagement ring was fashioned into a handwrought silver pendant, which was designed to showcase the visible flaws in the stone – something Autumn really wanted.
Heirloom Jewelry Transformation & Restoration
“Sometimes clients will give me photos of pieces they like and very specific direction,” Hunsinger said. “Other times they will ask me to design something for them with minimal input.”
Transforming and restoring family heirloom jewelry is especially personal because the value of the piece is sentimental—tied to the love and memories they represent. Wearing a piece created with a lost loved one’s gold and gems can be comforting and inspirational for surviving family members.
Individual Personal Style
“I keep the individual’s personal style and the things they are into in mind throughout my creative process,” Hunsinger said. “I will even listen to the type of music they like while I’m creating the piece for inspiration.”
Autumn is a cool person with her own unique style. She’s petite with blonde hair that she wears in a short bob. When she’s not busy working as a chiropractor, she sings and plays guitar in a band. She’s vivacious and dynamic, yet down-to-earth and family oriented.
The first piece Hunsinger transformed for Autumn, was her late brother’s sterling silver and turquoise ring. He melted down the silver and handcrafted three, one-of-a-kind pendants – one for her mother, her sister and herself, to wear as a reminder of his memory every day.
With the left-over silver from her brother’s ring, Hunsinger handcrafted a cross pendant set with her grandmother’s colored stones.
Hunsinger said, “To anyone else, the stones are just carnival glass, but to her they are a priceless memory of her grandmother.”
Watch this video for a peek at this heirloom jewelry restoration project.
