Following on - Antique Bands set with Diamonds!



Antique Diamond Set Wedding Bands at Bonner's Jewellers



So, we all might have different views on whether to buy a new or pre-loved wedding ring but what about inherited wedding bands? It's not the nicest subject to think about, but inevitably bands get passed down through families and usually end up stuck in a jewellery box for sentiment's sake.

When my great-gran passed away and my mom inherited her wedding ring she was so young she thought it was creepy so it languished in a box for 40 years. Recently, my mom's own wedding ring had worn so thin it was beginning to cut her finger - it's 22ct (the same as great-gran's) but it was never as heavy. She decided to have them merged into one. I say merged - not melted; there's a big question mark over whether or not you actually get your original gold back when jewellers say they "melt them down to make something new." It's a nice thought but the reality is that 90% of the time they will just weigh your gold and give you something new back of the same weight. It's not cheating you out of anything financially - just cutting corners - but it does misplace the sentimentality. Mom wanted to be certain she was getting her original rings back so they were laid one on top of the other (retaining great-gran's original 1919 hallmark with her own ring fitting over the top.) You can't see the solder join - now they look like one ring - and to set them off she used some diamonds from another inherited ring which was badly worn and had them reset into the band.

It worked so well we've used the same procedure for several customers now - merging two rings into one and sometimes setting stones into the finished item. As long as the gold carats are the same it's usually no problem and it means that inherited bands can be used to give more life to existing wedding rings. No more languishing in a jewellery box!

We've done the same with bands customers have decided to sell and now have a small collection of beautifully preserved pre-1930's wedding rings which have been converted (using small diamonds) to very wearable line or eternity rings! It's a lovely way of owning an antique which can be worn everyday and even personalised if you prefer.

I even have one myself.... ;)

TTFN!

Pre-loved Wedding Ring?? I DO!!

I know most people are open to the idea of pre-owned when it comes to clothes, cars, houses and jewellery but I wondered what the consensus was on pre-owned wedding bands?

My wedding ring was made in Birmingham in 1890 and it was really important to me that I had something of this age and style. My husband designed his own white gold ring and loves it; he had a very clear idea in mind of what he wanted and he felt it was more personal and meaningful to have something unique made. In contrast, I love the fact that mine had a history before us.

A friend once asked if I minded that the marriage it was originally used for may not have been a happy one? I have to say, no - I don't. All gold gets melted down and recycled anyway and I'm really not superstitious about things like that. My marriage is good and happy and that's what counts, and who's to say it wasn't originally owned by a loving couple who adored each other? Either way, I believe we make our own history - but this ring reminds me that some things just aren't as important as they seem. Life is much bigger than just me, and when all's said and done this ring will hopefully still be around when I've long departed. It makes me want to concentrate on the future even though I have a link to the past, and reminds me that for now, at least - we're making our own mark on history. Phew! So now I've got all that off my chest, here's a pic of mine:



Victorian 22ct Gold Wedding Band Dated 1890



When it came into the shop it was the exact right fit and had tiny marks and scratches - evidence of its life before me. I've never had them polished out and I've even added a few of my own! So what do you think? Would you wear an old wedding ring or is it too personal to be recycled?

Signing Off...

Wedding Bells!!

Congratulations to Natalie and Nic!!



The Bonners and The Hadleys

 My sister and her fiance were married last week after 3 years together. Nat looked beautiful and it was lovely to see them so happy. :) We had a great day, so good in fact that we had an extra day off work! Apologies to everyone who found us closed on a Tuesday!

I suppose it goes without saying that Natalie's engagement ring was from Bonner's Jewellers; an antique six stone diamond cluster dated 1916. The wedding bands were bespoke and made in our workshop in record time! I don't think my sister will mind me saying she's not the most organised person in the world ;) but to her credit everything came together beautifully.

Well done The Hadleys!!

TTFN!