REWORK X RECYCLE: Michelle
Towards the end of 2022, we had the pleasure of working with Michelle on her stunning Diamond & Sapphire ring stack. Michelle had a number of pieces which needed reworking including her Engagement ring, Wedding ring and a diamond ring passed down to her from her Great Aunt. The final design is a collection of pieces which can be worn together in different fomations to create different looks. The pieces incorporates Michelles own materials along side a stunning Yellow sapphire which we sourced and hand cut to be the exact shape we were looking for!
We were so pleased to be able to work alongside Michelle and redesign her rings into a piece she would cherish for a lifetime through our REWORK X RECYCLE services. We spoke to Michelle earlier this week to recap her experience with KIND, and to share why this project was so special to her.
What is the significance behind the materials we used in your REWORK X RECYCLE design?
I was gifted my Great Aunties engagement ring and although it is not my style, the diamond on the ring was lovely. I felt sad to keep it in a box and not wear it so I decided to have it made it something more my style. To coincide with this, my wedding no longer fitted my fingers after being pregnant with my daughter, so I had that redesigned as well. To be able to wear my wedding ring again, along with my Aunties diamond makes me very happy
What was the inspiration behind your design?
I have always loved yellow stones, so I knew I wanted to incorporate them into my design. Sapphires are the stone for the month of September and as I got married in that month (along with my 10 year anniversary last year!) they also had an emotional significance to me. I had seen a design with three stones, two small round diamonds with a bigger emerald cut stone in the middle and I just loved it. After discussing my idea with Tansy, we decided that stacking my engagement ring along with these new designs would give this affect. I also wear a lot of gold jewellery, and with my great aunties ring being gold I wanted to mix up the materials a bit. We ended up using the yellow gold from my great aunt’s ring with the diamonds from my wedding band to create an update . Tansy then used the white gold from my wedding band on our new design.
Why was it important to you that you could use your own materials?
All the material used, except for the sapphire, were from my original rings to create new updated designs. Using my existing material was so important as all the rings had a significant meaning to me and I didn’t want to loose those elements. The new designs mean I can now enjoy them all everyday.
Does your new jewellery hold more sentimental value knowing that it was once another design?
Definitely! It would be sad for jewellery to sit in draws/jewellery box because the design isn’t to your taste. To be able to redesign it into something you love and then have with you every day is such a lovely thing.
Why did you choose KIND Collection to create your new piece?
I had followed KIND Collection for a while on Instagram after seeing a friend post one of their pieces. I loved seeing her re-work designs so when I was left a piece from my Great Auntie I knew exactly who I wanted to help me. I really can’t thank Tansy enough for her help with this. Tansy kept me updated through every step and also replied to my messages quickly. I really felt involved in the process and felt she really listened and understood what I wanted. My rings are perfect!