What to Do with Inherited Jewellery: Redesign, Sell or Restore?
How to Honour, Redesign, or Restore Your Most Sentimental Pieces
Inherited jewellery is so much more than diamonds, gold, or gemstones, it’s a powerful, tangible connection to the people we’ve loved and lost. A wedding ring from your mum, a pendant from your grandma, or a pair of earrings tucked away for decades… these pieces carry stories, memories, and emotion.
But what happens when those heirlooms don’t reflect your style, feel too delicate to wear, or sit untouched at the back of a drawer?
It’s completely natural to feel a mix of guilt, sadness, or uncertainty. Should you keep them as they are? Redesign them into something new? Restore or even sell them to fund something meaningful?
As someone who has also inherited jewellery from a much-missed mum, I understand how complicated these decisions can feel. Family relationships are layered - sometimes tender, sometimes tangled - and the jewellery we inherit often holds those same complexities. Love, grief, history, and even pain can be wrapped up in a single piece.
At Legacy, we’re here to guide you through all your options, gently and without pressure. Whether you choose to restore a treasured ring, pass something on, sell with purpose, or create a new bespoke piece from inherited stones and gold, we’ll help you honour both the person and the memory in a way that feels right for you.
Let’s explore what’s possible...
1. Keep It Safe, For Now or Future Generations
If the jewellery doesn’t suit you, but you’re not ready to part with it, it’s completely okay to keep it safe. Many people choose to pass heirloom pieces down to their children or grandchildren.
Just be sure to:
Have the jewellery assessed and cleaned by a trusted jeweller
Get a valuation for insurance purposes
Store it securely, in a safe or safety deposit box
Update your insurance accordingly
You can also consider gifting it sooner rather than later, so it’s worn and cherished in your lifetime.
2. Redesign It Into Something You’ll Love to Wear
This is where the magic happens, and where we, at Legacy, truly specialise.
Many of our clients come to us with a handful of inherited rings, brooches, or other treasured pieces, unsure what’s possible. They want to wear these deeply sentimental items, but also want something that reflects their style and story.
At Legacy, we’re experts in transforming inherited gold, diamonds, and gemstones into bespoke jewellery that captures the emotion and meaning of the original, while feeling completely, unmistakably “you.”
Whether it’s a ring that combines Grandma’s diamond with Mum’s gold, or a pendant crafted from three vintage rings, redesigning lets you:
Honour the people and pieces that matter
Create something new, beautiful, and wearable
Tell your personal story through jewellery
Redesigning inherited jewellery is often a deeply emotional process - and it should be. Hundreds of women (and a good few gentlemen) have taken this journey with us at Legacy, moving through grief, celebration, joy, and reflection as their new piece takes shape.
It’s a decision that deserves care and consideration. Whether you choose Legacy or another designer, make sure you feel heard, understood, and respected at every stage. And if you have questions or doubts, raise them. A reputable jeweller who works with inherited jewellery will understand your concerns and guide you through each step with sensitivity and reassurance.
3. Restore It for Daily Wear
Inherited jewellery that’s worn, fragile or damaged doesn’t need to be hidden away.
We offer sympathetic restoration, re-tipping worn claws, replacing damaged bands, re-polishing scratched gemstones, and reinforcing old settings, all with love and care.
In fact, some of our most meaningful Legacy designs have included chipped sapphires or cracked emeralds. Beauty isn’t always about perfection, it’s about the person who once wore it.
Collection of inherited gold wedding bands and engagement ring
Reimagined into a stunning double band ring with Diamonds and Rubies at the centre
4. Sell It. Without the Guilt
If the jewellery simply doesn’t feel right for you, it’s okay to sell it. It belonged to someone you loved, but now it belongs to you. You can use that gift to fund something else meaningful; a holiday, a new piece of jewellery, or a donation in their memory.
Just make sure to:
Use a reputable second-hand or antique jewellery dealer
Consider consignment vs. instant sale
Get multiple valuations
Research fees, commissions, and real market values (not just insurance values)
Final Thoughts
Jewellery holds stories. It connects us to the past, but it also deserves to be part of your present.
Whether you choose to redesign, restore, gift, or sell your inherited jewellery, make sure you work with someone who understands how delicate and emotional the process can be.
At Legacy, we treat every piece with the love and respect it deserves, and guide you gently through the journey.
💬 Thinking about redesigning a piece of inherited jewellery? Book a no-pressure Discovery Call with Sarah and begin your own Legacy journey.
