Resetting a ring is the perfect way to bring those pieces out of the jewelry box and into something one-of-a-kind. We have seen a ton of restyles in 24 years, but here are 10 reset fine stone and diamond engagement ring before & afters that you just HAVE to see!

1. A One-of-a-Kind Pendant

The original diamond from mom’s engagement ring became part of a gorgeous, two-stone pendant. Adding a pop of color with tanzanite lets the heirloom diamond shine, especially in the sleek white gold setting. Now the stone and all it’s memories can live close to the heart!

2. A Restyled Rose Gold Wedding Band

J. brought in two rings that were wearing thin and needed a refresh, along with some other, small, additional diamonds. We came up with this wider wedding band featuring a delicate, open vine style center nestled between 14k white gold bands.

Using her larger center stone and side accents, we created something unique and strong enough for everyday wear. She loved it!

3. The Perfect Good Luck Charm

This princess cut diamond ring from a previous wedding ring had it’s lucky day as the center of this cool, custom horse shoe style ring! Setting fancy cut stones on their side like this princess cut diamond can give your ring a super modern feel, with only a simple change.

4. A Pear Shaped Diamond that Makes a Statement

This pear shaped diamond took on a whole new life in this wedding ring upgrade! The wide band used accent diamonds from old, unworn jewelry in a split design that helps balance out the top.

Reusing an old piece of jewelry is a great way to repurpose earrings, random accent stones from a band, or stones from a pendant, creating a new jewelry story.

5. This Unique Take on a Three Stone Ring

This three stone ring started as a few separate pieces from our customer’s family. The center stone from her mother, the top and bottom from both of her grandmothers.

S wanted to combine these diamonds into one piece, without leaning into the traditional three stone engagement ring style. By using a vertical layout, this ring goes from bridal and classic to a modern statement piece!

6. A Piece Combining Family History

This ring came to life from multiple family pieces! We blended the diamonds from two old wedding rings and a few diamond earrings to create this one-of-kind, custom, right hand ring. Another great example of a seamless design made from a collection of heirloom pieces.

7. This Criss Cross Statement Ring

This cool, criss cross design is a true showstopper! The cascade design of this old ring was straight out of the 80’s, but the diamonds were still in great shape.

We pulled this ring back into the future with a more modern setting, and added a small round diamond that belonged to her grandmother. It turned out spectacular! As a bonus, the squared design of this ring keeps it from turning on her finger, too.

8. Tennis Bracelet Made Into A Pave Band

This broken, outdated tennis bracelet gave us so many diamonds to work with that our options were truly endless. We made the switch from yellow to white gold and created a beautiful pave diamond wedding band from all those heirloom stones.

Plus, we recycled the old gold towards the price of the new piece. It was a win/win for everyone!

9. From an Unworn Ring to a Favorite Necklace

Rings not your style? They weren’t our customer’s style, either. She loved the three stone look of her wedding set, but felt like she never wore them (she works with her hands, and didn’t want them to get damaged).

So, we converted them to an amazing custom necklace that mimicked her rings with center stones and diamond accent stones, but that she could wear more comfortably. (Hint, this is a great way to wear your original bridal set after a well-deserved upgrade!)

10. Combining Old Jewelry to Create Something Special

This necklace and stick pin wasn’t worn anymore, so we combined into something more in line with our customer’s style. Keeping the piece two-tone makes it super wearable too. Also: two tone jewelry is really trending this fall!

Don’t feel boxed in with jewelry design. Heirloom pieces can be anything with enough imagination.

Ready to Reset Your Original Engagement Ring Into Something You Love?

The moral of the story is that old jewelry doesn’t have to sit in a jewelry box anymore. With a little imagination, a reputable jeweler, and Scott’s cool custom design technology, old jewelry can be reset into new engagement rings, filled with history and personality!

We hope you were inspired with these 10 reset engagement ring before and afters that you just HAVE to see!

Want to see what you can do? Set up your custom appointment (in person or via ZOOM)!

Will millennials be the ones to end the mined diamond industry’s reign as the only option for engagement rings?

While not every young person is singularly committed to saving the environment, this group makes up the largest percentage of the population, and has very different traits than other generations. One being, their commitment to sustainability, according to Forbes.

That’s why more millennials are choosing lab-grown diamonds over mined diamonds for their engagement rings because lab-grown diamonds are more sustainable.

Characteristics of millennials

Millennials, who were born between 1981 and 1996, have a unique set of characteristics, including equality, climate change, peace, justice, poverty, and prosperity. These social norms make them very sensitive to the need to find more sustainable ways to protect the environment.

Lab grown diamonds and sustainability

Lab-grown diamonds are not only sustainable and eco-friendly but also cost 50-70% less than mined diamonds. That, along with the fact that diamond mining can sometimes be an unethical practice, makes lab-grown diamonds much more popular with the younger crowd.

According to Azra Mehdi of Au Xchange Fine Gold Jewelry, “[diamond] mines are often located in places where the local communities’ needs are marginalized. Diamond mining has previously been done without regard to the social, environmental, and long-term ecological impact on local communities.”  

Lab grown diamond vs. mined diamonds

Physically, chemically and optically, lab-grown and mined diamonds are exactly the same, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The only difference is one is produced in a lab, using less natural resources and energy, and the other is pulled from the earth.

And, just like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are graded on their color, cut, clarity and carat weight (the 4 C’s). So while lab-grown diamond crystals are grown above ground, they are not identical to each other. Some are pretty, and others… not so much

That’s where having a trusted jeweler, who can point out the unique characteristics of each lab-grown diamond, is important.

Interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds and how they are the most sustainable (and stunning) option for your jewelry? Download the whitepaper!

Other ways millennials are being sustainable with jewelry

Another way millennials have practiced sustainability while designing their engagement diamond ring is by recycling diamonds and gemstones from family jewelry. Not only is this a cost-effective and eco-friendly practice, but it also weaves a story from multiple families and generations into new jewelry.

“We love recycling family stones into new engagement rings,” said Scott Cevasco, owner of Scott’s Custom Jewelers in Dublin, Ohio. “It creates a piece of jewelry with a link to family history, it’s super sustainable, and it saves our customer a lot of money.”

With lab grown diamonds becoming more popular because they are cost-effective, conflict-free, and eco friendly, it’s important to note that not all lab-grown diamonds are created equal. Just like diamonds formed in the earth, there are also a lot of variances in diamonds that are grown in the lab.

As a third-generation jeweler, I’ve seen so many diamond stimulants come across my showcases these past 25 years. And boy do I have some stories! Knowing what to look for, and what questions to ask, I believe, will help you pick the best diamond for your engagement ring!

So here’s what you should know when you look at lab grown diamonds for quality.

Where is the diamond made?

First off, all lab grown diamonds have the same elemental structure and the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. The only difference is mined diamond rough crystals are cut from the earth, and lab diamond crystals are made in a machine. But even lab grown diamonds have differences.

Diamonds grown in the United States have a more consistent power supply grid and cleaner water sources than those grown in other countries.

Why does this matter?

Lab grown diamond machines are pretty cool – they look like something from a sci-FY movie! These pods use super high pressure and water to “grow” a small diamond seed into a bigger crystal. Kind of like how you used to make rock candy with sugar water when you were a kid.

If the power goes out, it interrupts the process and effects the final product. Same with the water. Clean, filtered water produces a better diamond rough crystal. And both can cause issues that can be visible in the lab grown diamond after it’s cut and polished.

It’s all about the cut

All diamonds, whether mined or lab grown, still need to be cut into their finished shapes. Diamonds are cut by machines and people (yep – there are still diamond cutters around!) It’s really cool to watch, too!

A huge part of the value and beauty of a diamond is determined by how well it is cut. So.Much.Math. The best looking, most sparkly diamonds have the best cutters. And some lab grown diamond manufacturers are going for quantity, not quality – they’re churning out diamonds by the boat full – but the pieces are … kind of ugly.

Having an expert (that’s us) weed through the ugly is a big help. We’ve literally seen millions of dollars worth of diamonds in our life, and can tell at a glance which ones are cut well.

Lab grown diamond certifications

Many diamonds, both mined and lab grown, are graded and certified by independent laboratories. These certificates don’t give a value of the gemstone, but rather, a grade. Like a report card, actually. The better the grade, the more the diamond is worth.

But diamond grading is very subjective. The same diamond can get different grades, depending upon who looked at it. Weird, but whatever – it is what it is.

Now some lab grown diamond manufacturers have their OWN labs. We think this is a conflict of interest. The whole idea of an independent lab is to give it a grade which will determine it’s worth. So – if I make a diamond, then give it an A (but it’s really only a C), then I make more money when I sell it. Hmm.

At Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we only sell diamonds (lab and mined) that are graded by an independent lab. And we do that by vetting those labs and manufacturers. That way, you get what you pay for.

Diamonds grown out of the country

One of the biggest reasons people chose a lab grown diamond is because they are conflict-free.

The mined diamond industry had a history, that’s for sure. Now, there is a process in place (it’s called the Kimberly Process) that tracks a diamond from the mine to the retailer and guarantees that it was mined humanely, wasn’t part of any drug or arms cartels, and other awful things.

Lab grown diamonds (or “Man made diamonds“) aren’t mined, but there’s no process guaranteeing their ethics.

Because of these ethics, we chose to sell only those diamonds grown in the United States for several reasons:

• Safe working environment: We have OSHA and other manufacturing agencies looking out for the workers here in this country.
• Fair wages: The labs we buy from pay their workers fairly, provide benefits and pay taxes.
• Supporting the local economy: Buying American is always preferred! The labs we buy from employ workers who also use their wages to buy from local businesses, and so on, and so on.
• Tariffs: Overseas companies are sometimes subject to tariffs or taxes.

Buying our lab grown diamonds from American companies eliminates these conflicts, and let’s us provide you a beautiful gemstone at the lowest price.

Buyer Beware: Buying a lab grown diamond off the internet

Sure, we all internet shop. (I say this as UPS just dropped off a package!) And for somethings, it’s a no-brainer! But lab grown diamonds are not like, say a television. You can order a specific model of TV from several sources, and it will be the exactly the same, except for maybe the price (and shipping!)

Lab grown diamonds ARE different from each other – just liked mined diamonds! You really need to see a few next to each other, to compare and figure out which one “winks at you” (that’s what Grandpa used to say).

Plus, we’ve seen so many online companies that are less than honest, to say the least.

We had a person come to us recently, with a “diamond” they purchased off a website that they said was lab grown. And it WAS not mined, that was for sure. It looked off – something was weird about the finish. The customer was told it was authentic, but it turned out to be an ordinary cubic zirconia (a man-made diamond stimulant) with a coating of diamond on it so it would fool diamond testing equipment.

The worst part was that when the customer tried to return it, the company accused THEM of switching out the “authentic” diamond with a fake CZ! Basically, it was “touched you last”.

Not all lab grown diamonds are created equal!

So the moral of the story is: You still need good people (i.e. jewelers) in your life to help guide you in some decisions. Our expertise and experience will help you not make costly mistakes, and help you save money (and the planet) when you chose a lab grown diamond for your jewelry!

Interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds and how they are the most sustainable (and stunning) option for your jewelry? Download the whitepaper!

Get The Whitepaper

Need Additional Help Identifying Quality Lab Grown Diamonds? We’re Here to Help!

Lab grown diamonds. They catch your eye with their sparkle, and have been a symbol of love for centuries. And now, the same diamond that was once only available mined from deep within the earth, can now be created above ground!

Lab grown diamonds, according to the Federal Trade Commission, are exactly the same optically, chemically and physically, as diamonds mined from the earth. They are literally the exact same. So why are they suddenly becoming so popular?

Well, because they cost 30-50% less than mined diamonds, to start. And add on the fact that they are sustainable, or eco-friendly, and conflict-free. Lab grown diamonds are definitely becoming a main stream choice, especially among the millennial customers.

Here’s a guide to all you need to know about these new diamonds.

How much are lab grown diamonds?

Because lab grown diamonds are made, well, in a laboratory, the cost to manufacture them verses mining them is much less, resulting in a lower cost per carat.

An active diamond mine in South Africa.

There’s no need to buy permits, set up expensive digging equipment and camps, and then, perhaps pay tariffs to import the mined diamonds into a country. Those things add up!

They also take less resources to manufacture – there’s no soil to move, and less water is used in the process (18 gallons a carat for lab grown diamonds instead of 127 gallons of water for mined diamonds). That certainly impacts the cost!

In general, lab grown diamonds are 30-50% less than mined diamonds, depending upon the shape and carat weight of the gemstone.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

As Forbes Magazine recently reported, “A diamond is a diamond no matter whether it is grown in a lab or comes out of the ground.”

A piece of lab grown diamond rough crystal.

Both types of diamonds are carbon crystalized in the isometric system with a hardness of 10 on the mohs scale, with a specific gravity of 3.52 and a refractive index of 2.42. They are exactly the same chemically.

In fact, it takes very expensive and sophisticated equipment to tell the difference between them. In general, lab grown diamonds over .25 ct are laboratory graded and laser inscribed with the certification number.

Are lab grown diamonds worth it?

Lab grown diamonds cost less than mined diamonds because of the way they are made. Since they are sustainably grown above earth and leave a significantly smaller carbon footprint, compared to mined diamonds, they are not only ethical, but use less resources, so the price is lower per carat than mined diamonds.

Both types of diamonds are 99.95% carbon – the .05% is made up of trace minerals or impurities. Because diamonds grown in a lab are made in a controlled environment, these impurities have less impact on the diamond’s appearance, so they look like the best mined diamonds, yet cost 30-50% less.

A near perfect mined diamond.

Very high quality diamonds (like the famous Elizabeth Taylor diamond known as “The Krupp Diamond” – a 33.19 carat beauty) are called Type IIa diamonds. Extremely rare in nature, Type IIa diamonds account for less than 2% of the world’s mined diamonds. They are gorgeous because they are almost or entirely devoid of impurities, making them the purest form of diamond. Most of the lab grown diamonds that Scott’s Custom Jewelers sell are these amazing Type IIa diamonds!

What are lab grown diamonds called?

First, let’s start by telling you what they are not called!

• Cubic Zirconia, a man-made white stone commonly used in fashion jewelry
• Rhinestones
• Moissanite
• Simulated diamonds

The Federal Trade Commission requires that all lab grown diamonds be advertised as such, so there is no confusion between them and mined diamonds.

How are lab grown diamonds made?

The process of making a diamond in a lab is so cool! The pods look like something out of a Sci/Fi movie.

Lab grown diamond crystals are made in pods. The rough crystals are then cut exactly the same as mined diamonds.

1. First, a high quality, lab grown diamond seed is placed in a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) chamber, or greenhouse.
2. Then, hydrogen is pumped into the chamber and ignited. Methane, which is the source of carbon for diamonds, is introduced, and the diamond is left to grow, layer by layer, for about 12 weeks.
3. After growing, the rough diamond crystal is ready to be cut. Here’s where the skill of the diamond cutter comes into play. Using techniques that have been around for generations, expert diamond cutters cut, facet and polish the gemstones.

Pretty neat!

A gorgeous lab grown diamond, cut into a marquise shape and set in a custom band.

Lab grown diamonds are definitely here to stay. They offer an affordable, sustainable option to celebrate life’s big moments like engagements, weddings, anniversaries and babies. For more information, call our Columbus store at 614 336-4111, or stop by at Scott’s Custom Jewelers 6365 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, OH 43016 and see the for yourself!

Interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds and how they are the most sustainable (and stunning) option for your jewelry? Download the whitepaper!

Get The Whitepaper

Back in the day, a woman’s diamond engagement ring usually started out on the small side. The eighties were known for simple diamond solitaire rings in yellow gold. A gold wedding band, with some small, channel set diamonds followed. Then maybe a diamond guard for a one year anniversary gift.

Usually, around year 10 or 20, there was a complete diamond upgrade. New center stone (hopefully much bigger!) and even more diamond bling. Not everyone traded in their first diamond wedding set. It was generally pushed to the back of the jewelry box, with the mood rings and tangled herringbone chains.

Sue had that jewelry box.

Here’s the thing. We women are sentimental fools. We don’t throw anything away. Heck, I’ve got six kids worth of baby teeth in my jewelry box! (It’s pretty gruesome, actually – Law and Order would think I’m a perp!) And if there was a way to wear that first diamond again, why, of course we would.

That’s where Scott’s Custom Jewelers shines. We specialize in restyling. And with our unique CAD (computer aided design) process and 3D printer, we take the pressure off of the questions, “What do I do with this stuff? What will it look like? Can I see a model before it’s done?”

Sue saw what we did for others, and came to us with her project. She actually knew she wanted a custom key pendant created, but most people have no idea what they want when they walk into our jewelry stores – FYI: we just opened our Dublin, OH store this month! Stop by and say hi!

We took apart the diamond rings and started laying them out. Scott was able to show Sue several custom jewelry designs before she landed on this particular style. The key pendant lets us use many shapes of diamonds in the piece. Did you notice the long baguette diamonds on the end? Pretty sweet.

We printed out a polymer model of the key, painted it silver (for white gold) and placed the diamonds on it so she could see exactly what it would look like. She even tried it on!

Then we casted it in white gold, set her diamonds and voila! A custom diamond key to her heart pendant!

Nothing beats the thrill we get when our customers see their finished jewelry for the first time. It’s such a great feeling.

Some stores have cases full of name brand designer jewelry. We don’t. (We do have awesome jewelry ready to sell at both stores, but most of it is our own design. We even have several jewelry lines in affordable sterling silver available.)

We’ve chosen to specialize in one-of-a-kind, custom jewelry. That’s why custom is our middle name! Stop by and see for yourself.

Nothing evokes more terror in a guy than those two little words.

Diamond shopping.

We see it all the time at Scott’s Custom Jewelers. That look of bewilderment.

It’s not the “I do’s” that scare them. It’s trying to understand all of those letters and numbers that are supposed to make diamond engagement ring buying sooo easy.
SI1, J-K, cushion cut, 1.50ct? It’s traumatic.

In reality, if you put five women in a line, all with the same color hair, same height, same weight and same measurements, you would still be able to tell them apart. Those numbers are simply diamond criteria to help guide you when you select your diamond. Heck, you can tell the Rockette’s apart and they’re supposed to match!

So, let’s begin with a rundown of the 4C’s of diamond buying, in lay terms.

Here’s the deal. It really isn’t that hard to buy a diamond, as long as you use the 4Cs as a guide, not the Bible. In the end, you really need to look at several diamonds side-by-side to compare them and really seem their attributes. And about those certifications. Different labs grade differently, just like different teachers are harder than others in grading. I repeat: YOU MUST COMPARE DIAMONDS, YOURSELF, SIDE BY SIDE. Trust your own eyes!

Not to scare you, but there are a lot of other details about diamond buying that I haven’t even touched on. Fluorescence, graining, naturals and origin. Yikes! This is just a guide to help you get started.

That’s why buying a diamond from the internet isn’t really a good idea. Unless you have a huge limit on your credit card, ordering three or four diamonds to compare is not an option.

At Scott’s we’re able to shop for the diamond FOR you. We find out what you (or her) would like, give you a ball park on what to expect price-wise, then bring in several diamonds that fit your qualifications from the same diamond cutters that grandpa used. That gives you the ability to compare and make the best decision.

In the end, you have to fall in love with it (and her too). As Scott’s grandfather used to say in his cute Italian accent, “Buy the one that winks at you!”

Whether a diamond is grown in a laboratory or mined from the earth, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ruled that a diamond is a diamond, no matter where it was formed.

Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Mined Diamonds

In the jewelry industry, we’ve been watching big diamond suppliers, such as De Beers, market these new lab-grown diamonds as a fashion piece that is less “precious” than traditional mined diamonds.

But the reality is that laboratory-grown diamonds have the exact same chemical make-up as mined diamonds.

In fact, we’ve been selling high-quality lab-grown diamonds for our custom diamond engagement rings in our Dublin, Ohio store for about a year now.

They look exactly the same as mined diamonds, and they cost 20–30 percent less on average. Kind of a big deal!

Why the Diamond Industry Has Strong Opinions

It helps to know, first off, who De Beers is.

According to Wikipedia, “De Beers Group is an international corporation that specializes in diamond exploration, diamond mining, diamond retail, diamond trading and industrial diamond manufacturing sectors.”

The company is active in several countries and has historically played a major role in the diamond market.

Until the start of the 21st century, De Beers effectively had total control over the diamond market as a monopoly. Competition has since dismantled the complete monopoly, though De Beers Group still sells a large share of the world’s rough diamond production.

So what De Beers says about lab-grown diamonds may be, shall we say, a little biased?

Common Questions About Lab-Grown Diamonds

There’s been so much talk about these diamonds.

People often ask:

• Are lab-grown diamonds imitation?
• Are they expensive?
• Are they real diamonds?
• Will they turn my finger green?
• Are they good for engagement rings?

All valid questions.

Let’s look at the facts.

What Exactly Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

Most diamonds, both those made below ground and above ground, are 99.95% carbon.

The other 0.05% can include trace elements or impurities. That’s fancy talk for junk atoms that are not part of the diamond’s normal chemistry.

The only real difference between a lab-grown diamond and one mined from the earth is how it came to be.

How Mined Diamonds Are Formed and Extracted

Mined diamonds are extracted from the earth using heavy machinery and significant disruption to the environment.

Until recently, this was the only way to get a diamond.

How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made

The process of making a diamond in the lab is pretty cool.

First, a diamond seed, which is also made in the lab, is placed in a Chemical Vapor Deposition, or CVD, chamber.

It sounds like a Star Trek episode, but the CVD is kind of like a greenhouse. That’s where the diamond will grow.

And just like mined diamonds, the quality of lab-grown diamonds can vary. A high-quality diamond seed will make high-quality diamonds.

From Diamond Seed to Finished Stone

Next, hydrogen is pumped into the chamber and ignited. Kind of like a mini Big Bang Theory.

Methane, or CH4, is then introduced, and the diamond begins to grow in layers.

It takes about 12 weeks to make the diamond crystal.

After the growth period, a piece of diamond “rough” is made. It’s not all pretty and sparkly at this point.

This is where both mined and lab-grown diamonds are treated the same. Rough is, well, rough. It needs to be cut and polished.

Why Cutting and Polishing Matter

As with all diamonds, cutting and polishing are where skill plays a part in the beauty of the gemstone.

Good cutters can find the beauty in the rough stone and literally bring it out. It’s super cool to watch!

After the rough is cut into shapes like round, oval, cushion, pear, and more, the diamonds are laboratory graded and laser inscribed with a number.

That number gives the consumer the details on their stone. It’s a pedigree.

What the FTC Says About Lab-Grown Diamonds

According to Forbes Magazine, “The FTC based its decision in favor of scientific facts, not the mined-diamond industry lobby, giving consumers real information on which to make informed diamond purchasing decisions.”

This is great news for the newest diamond purchasers — millennials.

Why Many Customers Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds

We’ve found that our younger customers like the idea of laboratory-grown diamonds for several reasons:

• They have less impact on the environment.
• Customers do not have to worry as much about conflicts.
• They offer a more affordable price point.
• They are real diamonds.
• They provide the beauty and durability people expect from a diamond.
• They can withstand everyday wear and tear.

For customers coming out of college with student debt, the price point is very appealing.

And since they are real diamonds, they get all the beauty and benefits of a gemstone made for everyday wear.

Why Technology Is Good for the Jewelry Industry

Some jewelers may think that lab-grown diamonds are bad for the jewelry industry.

But you can’t hold back technology. People deserve to know that they have a legitimate option in diamonds.

Our family has been in the jewelry industry for over 90 years, but we’ve evolved the business by using cutting-edge technology, like computer-aided design and 3D printers, to create custom jewelry.

This technology has helped us make an even better piece of jewelry, at a lower price, than Grandpa was able to do.

So technology is a definite plus!

Lab-Grown or Mined: The Choice Is Yours

It doesn’t matter where it came from.

Chemically, physically, and optically, mined and lab-grown diamonds are the exact same, and we’re pleased we can offer both to our customers.

Learn More About Lab-Grown Diamonds

Interested in learning more about lab-grown diamonds and how they are a sustainable and stunning option for your jewelry?

Download the whitepaper or visit Scott’s Custom Jewelers in Dublin, Ohio to explore lab-grown diamond options for your custom engagement ring or fine jewelry.

Chances are, you have a hodge podge mix of old jewelry gathering dust in your underwear drawer (I know I do!)

So did Barb.  She had her mother-in-law’s wedding ring, a pair of small diamond stud earrings given to her early in her marriage, a couple of rings from her own mother and other odds and ends.  They weren’t her style anymore, but she didn’t want to just sell them.  And she also had a big anniversary coming up and wanted something extra special.

Enter Scott’s Custom Jewelers!

Barb made an appointment with Scott and brought in her bag o’gold.  After sorting and evaluating the old jewelry, Scott talked to her about what kind of custom designed jewelry she wanted to create. 

Like many of us, Barb didn’t want or need any more super dressy pieces.  Her lifestyle is much more casual.  But she wanted a custom pendant that could serve double duty.

While talking with Scott, he discovered that Barb and Paul have three children and were going to be married 40 years (wow!)  So he custom designed the pendant to tell some of that story as well.

The three larger diamonds represented each of their children, the four circles (counting the circle at the top of the pendant where the chain runs through) were for each decade they’ve been married.  And the smaller diamonds that speckled the circles came from her own mom, and her mother-in-law, and from jewelry that she collected during her travels with her husband.

So not only did she recycle her diamonds, but she also traded in the old gold mountings that held them, making this custom diamond pendant very affordable!

Best of all, just by switching out the chain, Barb can change the look to dressy (hanging the custom pendant on an omega chain), professional (using any one of her many 14k white or even yellow gold chains) or casual (stringing it through a black cord).

Judging from the huge smile from Barb when she saw the finished piece, it looks like all her goals were made.

Designing custom jewelry should be this easy!