Heirloom Jewelry Redesign & Diamond Recycling Guide
Heirloom Diamond & Jewelry Recycling: Transform Family Jewelry Into Modern Heirlooms
Jewelry is meant to be worn, cherished, and passed down—not hidden away in a box.
At Melissa Tyson Designs, we specialize in heirloom jewelry redesign, transforming inherited diamonds, family gold, and sentimental pieces into modern, wearable heirlooms. With over 20 years of goldsmith experience, we carefully evaluate, refine, and reset your treasured materials to create jewelry that honors your past while celebrating your future.
From grandmother’s engagement rings to inherited diamonds and gold, every redesign tells a story—and we treat each piece with the respect it deserves.
What Is Heirloom Jewelry Redesign?
Heirloom jewelry redesign is the process of transforming inherited or sentimental jewelry into new custom pieces. This may include resetting diamonds, melting down family gold, or reimagining antique settings into modern designs.
Common heirloom materials include:
-Family engagement rings
-Wedding bands
-Loose diamonds or gemstones
-Gold chains, bracelets, and earrings
-Estate jewelry
Our Process
Step 1: Consultation
We start with a virtual or in-person discussion about your heirloom’s history, your design vision, and budget.
Step 2: Evaluation & Stone Assessment
We evaluate gemstones and metals for structural integrity, wear, and suitability for redesign.
Step 3: Design & Approval
We create sketches or digital renderings for your review, ensuring your heirloom is preserved and enhanced.
Step 4: Hand-Forging & Transformation
Stones are unset, gold is refined, and new designs are handcrafted in our Wilmington, NC studio.
Step 5: Final Reveal
Your reimagined heirloom is polished, inspected, and beautifully packaged for you to cherish.
What Can We Do With Your Heirloom Jewelry?
Reset an heirloom diamond into a custom engagement ring, melt down gold to use in a new wedding band, create matching rings or necklaces from multiple family pieces, design a modern bezel setting for an antique diamond and even turn inherited brooches or pins into stackable rings or pendants.
"If it’s not your style — we’ll make it into one you’ll love to wear. Together, we’ll give your family stones new life and new light."
FAQ's
Can you reuse my gold and diamonds?
Yes! We can safely unset your stones, evaluate them, and incorporate them into a brand new design. Gold is refined, and a credit is applied toward your new piece.
What if the stones or gold aren’t in perfect condition?
That’s totally okay. Vintage and even chipped stones can often be safely reset. We’ll talk you through all your options to create a secure and beautiful setting.
Can I combine multiple heirloom pieces into one ring?
Absolutely. We can combine diamonds or gold from different family members to create one cohesive, meaningful design — or create a set of matching pieces for siblings, children, or anniversaries. Our cluster rings are a perfect way to use miscellaneous diamonds and gemstones or stacking rings work get as well.
Do I need an appraisal to start?
Nope! An appraisal or diamond certification is helpful but not required. We evaluate all heirloom materials in-house as part of your free consultation.
What if I don’t live nearby?
We work with clients across the U.S. and internationally! Our design process can be completed virtually, and we provide safe, insured shipping both ways.
Real Stories from Our Clients
Our Philosophy On Heirloom Jewelry
We understand that heirloom jewelry carries deep sentimental value. Our redesigns honor these emotions while creating a wearable, contemporary piece that reflects your style.
Craftsmanship is about excellence—not perfection. We intentionally preserve subtle hand-forged marks as a reminder that beauty exists in authenticity, history, and human touch.
Let’s give your cherished piece a new life.