Our Mommyhood

Grey and Copper Drops Earrings

Every season I clean out my closets and donate my unworn clothes to the charity shop. My rule of thumb: if I haven’t worn it in six months, out it goes. When looking in my jewelry box for something to wear a few mornings ago, the thought occurred to me that I’ve never done the same with my jewelry.

If you, like me, have old jewelry that you’ve inherited—even a wedding set from a divorce or an old engagement ring that you never gave back—you obviously aren’t going to give them to the charity shop, but why not have them restyled? By turning the jewelry you aren’t wearing into new pieces, you’ll have a whole new accessory wardrobe to choose from.

When researching how I could turn my old diamonds into something new, these quickly became my top five choices:

Diamond Solitare dangle earrings

1. Earrings

This is perhaps the most obvious choice but also, for me, the most practical. I don’t wear necklaces because they tend to make me feel like I’m choking, not to mention the chance of tiny fingers ripping them off of my neck! This makes earrings the most logical option. If you have diamonds that are large enough, you can have them reset into a simple pair of post earrings. If your diamonds are on the smallish side, they can be set in a variety of designs from flowers to stars or teardrop earrings.

Black-Onyx-and-Diamond

2. Pendants

As I said, I don’t wear necklaces but, for special occasions, I will put one on. Your old diamonds can be removed from their settings and restyled into a beautiful pendant. I actually did have two diamonds reset into an owl pendant as I have a ‘thing’ for the wise bird. My two small diamonds are now the eyes on my owl pendant! You can do the same or turn your diamonds into any type of pendant you choose. Heart pendants are a popular choice, as are crosses.

3. Hair Clips

I love this idea! Hair clips and combs can be a great way to add a touch of class to your hairstyle for an evening out, and what better touch than the sparkle from a few diamonds? You may not wear them all of the time but they’ll be your go-to accessory for a romantic dinner or holiday party. Vintage style accessories are all the rage right now. Consider adding your diamonds to a hair comb styled in a vintage silver metal filigree pattern.

"Blessed" in Topaz

4. Pet Collar

I know what you’re thinking. Really, I do. Why would you put diamonds in your pet’s collar? And I say: why not? You weren’t using them anyway and adding a bit of bling to your pet’s wardrobe can be a fun way to reuse your old jewelry. While it may not be suitable to give your bulldog, Spike, the sparkle of diamonds—your cat or small dog will look absolutely gorgeous! If you only have one or two diamonds, or if what you do have is too small to be placed in a collar, you can have a diamond set into a sterling silver identification tag.

Gorgeous Diamond Ring

5. A New Ring

Your old diamonds can be beautifully set into a new ring quite easily. If you have a large diamond and several small ones, think about having them all set into the same ring. Not only will you have a lovely new piece of jewelry, but also you’ll have a ring with more diamonds than you may be able to afford otherwise.

Author Tanya Ackerman writes for Icing on the Ring, established 42 years ago as one of the finest downtown Los Angeles jewelry businesses in the diamond district.

Related Posts via Categories

• Find the Cutest Eco-Friendly Baby Clothes on These 6 Websites
• Three Backyard Additions Your Kids Will Flip Over
• Fun and Stylish Watches for Moms

Related Posts: