THE PROJECT

An upgrade to an engagement ring to celebrate a 30 year wedding anniversary.

It has been a busy time here at Militza Ortiz Jewellery in Wimbledon. I have been dedicated to designing and redesigning jewellery for my clients.  One of my favourite projects this year has been remodelling two rings into one for a private client.

G and her partner and her have been married for 30 years and she continues to wear her engagement ring, but though the years it has deteriorated through scratching, dents and recently lost a stone.

As a symbol of love, her engagement ring held a special place in her heart.  30 years marriage show true commitment and her engagement ring isn’t just a piece of jewellery it holds the story of the their journey as a couple together. 

Add to this ring, her late mother’s engagement ring and we have two very special rings full of meaning and personal history.  Unfortunately, neither ring was practical for her anymore, so they decided to have them remodelled and made into one very special ring as the couple was celebrating a big wedding anniversary.

Related: If you are thinking of redesigning a family heirloom into a unique and modern gem, be sure to read this post of what you need to consider. 

THE BRIEF

The redesign approach: Upgrading into a contemporary ring but full of old memories

During our consultation we discussed exactly she wanted from this new ring.  G, knew that wearing the two old rings side by side did not suit her personal style nor her lifestyle.  Not known for someone who is a slave to trends, she also knew from the start that she wanted a simple style that would not date.

Another of her requirements was to work with what she had. That meant not adding new stones or removing old ones, just to use what we had at hand. 

Making 7 stones fit into one ring was a design challenge I was willing to rise to.

The new ring must fit perfectly with her current wedding band.  This is something that needs to be taken into when designing as the last thing she wanted was a new ring that was uncomfortable for everyday wear alongside her wedding band.

Following her brief, I went to the drawing board and presented her with several versions of the final design. Once they had chosen the design, I proceed to make the ring.

The result

A 5 diamond and 2 tsavorites ring in 18 carat yellow gold

As a jewellery designer one of my favourite (and scariest) parts of the job is handing over the final piece to the client. No matter how many drawings you present there really is nothing like seeing it all come together.  I am delighted to say that her face lit up when she saw it and that it surpassed her expectations. 

Remodelling heirloom jewellery entails a personalised touch, tailored uniquely to you and your loved one. It's a journey infused with care and meticulous attention to detail. What truly resonates with me is the opportunity to understand my client's desires, the heartfelt narrative behind their wish for a custom creation, and then weaving those sentiments into my designs.

Yet, the magic truly unfolds when the piece ventures from my Wimbledon studio to embark on a journey of creating cherished memories with its new owner. These are memories that may eventually become heirlooms, passed down through generations, much like G and her mother’s engagement ring.

For a glimpse of our jewellery remodelling projects, feel free to explore examples of our work here.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you're considering remodelling a piece of jewellery for yourself or a cherished someone. I am passionate about catering to all your bespoke jewellery needs. 

I am based in leafy Wimbledon, South West London, but should you prefer remote collaboration, I am more than accommodating. Whether it's via Zoom or Google Meet, I am eager to explore how I can breathe new life into your heirloom pieces.

Let's connect and explore the possibilities together.