Jewelry Redesign – A Story of Sentiment, Style, and Sustainability

In 1999, I began my career as a bespoke jewelry designer, helping clients "spring clean" their jewelry boxes — curating the pieces that no longer reflected their evolving style. A single diamond stud, a kinked chain, a youthful ring, or an heirloom passed down from a beloved aunt or grandmother — beautiful but dated. The true sentiment of these pieces lives not in their outdated settings but in the gems themselves. Through thoughtful redesign, those memories can be transformed into new pieces that continue to tell a story.

Since then, I’ve had the honor of redesigning jewelry for clients in Boston, across the U.S., London, and even members of royal families in the Middle East. The 2008 market crash brought me to Kuwait, where I found clients eager to deconstruct and reinvent their jewelry. That era challenged and expanded my creative boundaries and sharpened my design process.

Today, I remain committed to sustainability and ethical practices. I source recycled and fair-trade materials, with most of my diamonds reclaimed from conflict-free resources. As a proud member of Ethical Metalsmiths and the American Gem Trade Association, I uphold high standards in every piece I create. Upcycling heirlooms and personal pieces not only brings sustainability to the forefront, but it allows me to craft jewelry that reflects the individuality and aesthetic of each client through a process of collaboration and care.

A Personalized Process

Custom jewelry redesign is deeply personal. It begins with a conversation — not just about design ideas, but about stories, memories, and emotions. This connection allows me to understand what truly matters to you and what you hope your new piece will embody.

Designing a bespoke piece is a collaborative process. I listen closely to the memories and meanings behind your jewelry, and together we combine your vision with my experience to create something timeless — a future heirloom that your children and grandchildren will cherish.

From that initial conversation, I create a design board filled with inspirations, sketches, and notes. A hand-drawn design follows, which evolves into a 3D rendering. We refine the design until it aligns with your vision — and brings you joy. I often include a unique, hidden detail in each handcrafted piece — something meaningful known only to you.

Noora’s Redesign

When I first spoke with Noora, I immediately envisioned the perfect design for her. Her aesthetic is classic, effortlessly elegant. She wanted earrings that reflected her style — something versatile enough for both white and yellow gold, and she was drawn to round diamonds.

The Twist Earrings we created are a contemporary take on timeless Art Deco design. They elegantly combine her baguette and round diamonds in a clean, sophisticated silhouette. Each baguette was hand-placed with care, precisely measured and matched to account for subtle variations in size and shape.

Once the arrangement was finalized, we crafted a detailed CAD rendering along with technical drawings, transforming our shared vision into reality. Noora chose to sell her original gold, using the proceeds to help create her new earrings — a beautiful full-circle moment.