Breathing New Life into Heirloom Gemstones
A Timeless Tradition
At Ashleigh Moore, we believe that jewellery holds more than just beauty—it holds memories, stories, and connections to those we love. One of the most meaningful services we offer is transforming inherited gemstones from family jewellery into something new and unique, designed for you to wear and cherish every day. Whether you’ve inherited a family heirloom that’s no longer in style or want to honour a loved one in a new way, we can help create a custom piece that keeps their story and legacy alive.
Our process begins with a simple step: clients send us photos of their inherited pieces next to an everyday item, such as a 20-cent coin. This helps us to understand the scale of the stones. Once we’ve received the images, we’ll chat through a few potential design options. We then require the gemstones to undergo a detailed gemological analysis. This analysis is conducted by a gemologist at the Valuations Centre of Australia, and it helps us understand important details, such as the metal type, carat, and any visible damage to the stones ($149AU).
While the gemologist is examining your gemstones, we work closely with you to explore design possibilities. Once we receive your gemstones back in our workshop and have confirmed their identity and condition, we’ll finalise the design based on our earlier discussions. This collaboration ensures that your new piece is not only stunning but also meaningful, embedded with the history and sentimental value of the gemstones themselves.
Ann’s custom rings using her Mother’s engagement stones. The pieces didn’t fit Ann and didn’t reflect her personal style, so we created a contemporary stack whilst paying tribute to the original pieces by keeping the original stone layout.
There are many reasons to use inherited or heirloom stones in new jewellery. Not only does it allow you to continue your family’s story by remembering those who came before you, but it also adds deep personal meaning to a new piece. It is a beautiful way to honour loved ones who may have passed while also ensuring that these precious stones continue to shine. Additionally, reusing stones is a more sustainable choice, allowing us to breathe new life into existing materials rather than sourcing new ones.
At Ashleigh Moore, we are committed to providing you with a service that is built on trust, reliability, and impeccable craftsmanship. We understand how valuable these heirloom stones are—not just in monetary terms but in emotional significance—and we treat every piece with the utmost care. Our process is detailed, and comprehensive. It is our goal is to create a finished product that reflects your style and heritage, combining both into a piece that will be treasured for generations to come.
If you have any questions about our Heirloom Stones service, please email us at studio@ashleighmoore.com