A Celebration of Rich Color: An Heirloom Redesign Story
One of our most requested services at our studio is heirloom redesign - and it’s also one of our favorite services we do because we’re always challenged and surprised by the creative ways our clients utilize family gems. Often, these designs involve the use of strong colors. Clients are sometimes flummoxed by the color in the original pieces, feeling unsure of how to utilize such strong elements in an investment piece. Rather than viewing color as a challenge, though, we try to find the opportunities presented by using color in design in an interesting way.
Recently, we completed a project for our client, Marisa, who designed an incredible abstract cocktail ring that exclusively employed heirloom stones. Upon examining her original pieces, we could see the potential in combining the pink, purple, and red-hued gemstones into a single piece to create a tonal play on color. Here’s what she had to say about using color in her design project:
The pieces I brought in were an over 1ct diamond from a previous marriage (that ended amicably) and I felt comfortable repurposing, and numerous amethyst stones that were used in a ring design given to me by my mother at a young age. I personally felt comfortable immediately knowing that my cocktail ring would include different shades of pinks and purples. I felt that in such a uniform and symmetrical design like the one that was chosen, allowing for the character and “asymmetry” of the different colors would bring the ring to life. - Marisa
When I work with clients on designs, especially heirloom redesigns, I always ask them if they want to make something that they would reach for every day, or if they want to make something that they would excited to get dressed up for and wear. The answer always differs, and it can really set the tone regarding the feasibility of using color in the design. In this case, Marisa wanted to create an exciting piece that would steal the show, so her Design Lead Antra worked on a design that merged together tonal pinks, amethysts, and garnets from her older pieces to create a stunning single work of art:
Typically in my everyday life, I am not a colorful person. In my professional and personal life I typically wear muted colors, or often black. I wanted to begin to expand my jewelry in a more colorful way, and I believe that my statement ring achieved exactly that. I typically wear my new ring at formal events, date nights, or important work events, and will pair it with other minimal gold jewelry to allow the ring to be the main point of attention. - Marisa
Maria’s comment got me thinking about how color can force us to stretch our own sense of style comfort. Using heirloom pieces in your design might seem limiting at first, but sometimes it can serve as a good excuse to spice up your collection with something that pushes the boundaries into something you can be excited about. Because I consider myself an investment purchaser more than anything (that price-per-wear ratio always reigns supreme), I tend to play it safe with my own fashion choices rather than splurging on pieces that push the envelope more outside of my comfort zone. That being said, when you inherit or are given a piece that isn’t your style but has strong sentimental meaning to you, sometimes I think the best way to honor the memory it brings with a truly stunning work of art. Sure, maybe you won’t reach for it every day, but when you do, you’ll feel so special.
Other clients have achieved similar success in taking strong design cues from their colored gemstones. Sometimes, we play with multiple contrasting colors to strike balance, and sometimes we aim for simplicity in design to really draw the eye to a single stunning hue. Take a tour of some of our other stunningly colorful heirloom redesign works of art, and maybe draw some inspiration for yourself!
