Your wedding day is unforgettable, but the day that starts it all is the engagement—the moment two people decide to spend their lives together. Whether it happens in a kitchen, on a mountaintop, or in Paris, the engagement, and especially the ring, hold deep meaning. Often reflecting the person being proposed to, the engagement ring symbolizes unity and identity—an “I see you” moment. This wedding season, heirloom engagement rings are gaining popularity, with Victorian and old-money themes, heirloom designs, and repurposed family jewels. However, creating the perfect custom ring can be challenging, which is where companies like Spur Jewelry excel.
Spur Jewelry, founded by Sophie Fader and Simone Paasche in 2018 in New York City, was born from a shared passion for heirloom craftsmanship and a deep understanding of the jewelry industry. Seeing the demand for repurposing heirloom jewelry, they created Spur to breathe new life into family heirlooms. Today, Spur works with over 500 clients annually, transforming over 1,000 heirloom pieces into timeless designs for life’s biggest moments. Your something old can be made new again! Whether through in-person consultations or remote services, Spur’s in-house designers carefully reimagine and repurpose even the most worn-out jewelry into one-of-a-kind creations.
Southern Bride had the chance to sit down with Sophie and talented Spur team members, Slaveya, and Jenny to learn how couples can work with Spur Jewelry to turn heirloom jewelry into their dream engagement rings.
The Story Behind the Transformation
When choosing an inherited piece to transform into a priceless engagement ring, there is always a story that exudes from the gem first. Whether it’s a brooch, bracelet, or an engagement ring handed down, there is always a piece of history within these heirloom designs that brings the Something Old factor to life. “We’re often transforming engagement rings into new engagement rings, but also right-hand rings, pendants, and bracelets. An heirloom engagement ring often has a beautiful, valuable stone that was really special to someone,” Sophie shared. After consulting with Spur designers about the heritage of the piece and the legacy it holds, you can then discuss its transformation into your own storied journey. Slaveya puts it best: customizing an inherited piece is a chance for the client to “add to their story and make the piece theirs.” When transforming a piece, it’s important to remember that merging history with modern, personal design creates something truly unique. The story matters just as much as the one to be written as it’s transformed and repurposed in value.
Louisa & Jacob
“I just wanted to say thank you so much. My ring is beyond what I could have imagined. It’s absolutely perfect. And all the ways it reminds me of my moms ring make me so happy.”
photography: Spur Jewelry; Xiaoqi Li Photography
Consultation
The process of transforming an heirloom piece is seamless with Spur Jewelry. Through phone consultations, you have the chance to share the history of the piece, your personal style, and the emotional significance it holds. This consultation allows you to bring a new layer of meaning to the piece while honoring its past.
When designing an heirloom piece, Sophie advises considering personal preferences: “What materials do they love? Is there a diamond or gemstone that stands out to them as something they really connect with and find beautiful? Beauty is in your eye. Remember, you’re the one who’ll be looking at this piece on your hand for the rest of your life.” Jenny also adds, “It’s helpful for brides to have at least some general inspiration or examples. Even if they don’t know exactly what they want, we often hear what they don’t want, and that gives us direction. The more information they provide about what they’ve seen or liked, the better.”
Spur takes the time to understand who you are, as that is the foundation for transforming your piece into something truly special. It’s also important to think about your day-to-day life with the ring. Do you wear gloves often, or would you prefer a more subtle design? Whether you want something bold or understated, Spur tailors the design to fit your lifestyle.
While there is always an emotional attachment to an inherited piece, Spur allows clients to honor that connection and grieve its past before creating something new. “Our clients feel supported in transforming these pieces and adding to the story. It’s a deeply emotional experience for them, and we often see heartfelt reactions when they receive their new piece. We’re essentially turning emotional experiences into physical objects that can become future heirlooms,” says Sophie.
In this way, Spur Jewelry doesn’t just create beautiful custom designs; they help clients transform cherished pieces into something personal, meaningful, and lasting—truly adding new layers to the story.
Grace & Caleb
“It’s here!!!! It’s amazing!!!!!! WE ARE IN LOVE YOU ABSOLUTELY NAILED THE VISION!”
photography: Spur Jewelry & Olivia Margaret
Grace and Caleb’s heirloom materials before (left), Grace’s engagement ring after (right)
Mixing Metals and Couple Pieces
If you have two pieces, such as a gold ring and diamonds salvaged from a brooch, mixing them is also a possibility. Combining metals can create a unique approach to the piece while maintaining its historic significance. Spur can also source additional materials. For example, if you’re looking for a sapphire engagement ring but only have diamonds, they can source gemstones from trusted dealers to create the perfect mix for you.
When it comes to building a life together, an engagement ring can be the perfect start. Spur Jewelry emphasizes their ability to combine pieces from each significant other’s family, creating a beautiful blend. “Let’s say a bride and groom come to us, and there’s something special from his family—like his mom’s or grandma’s wedding band—and something from her side, like her grandmother’s engagement ring. We can combine stones or metals from each to create a unique new piece.” This is a wonderful way to create a storied piece that becomes it’s own heirloom to pass down.
Theresa & Luke
“My Grandma Helen would be thrilled to know her ring was transformed into a beautiful wedding set for Luke and I (we even mentioned it when we took our vows!). Spur set the stone in a low setting to ensure it would be comfortable for everyday wear, which was important to me as someone who never wore a ring before. I love the Georgia peach-colored sapphires which remind me of Luke, whose Southern heritage is very important to him. He loves to show off his own diamond which came from my Grandma’s original ring and was set on the inside of his band as a fun surprise detail.”
photography: Spur Jewelry
Theresa’s wedding set after renovation (left), the couple’s heirloom materials before (center), Luke’s completed wedding band (right)
The Hidden Gem
For those looking to create a custom ring from an heirloom piece as a surprise, Spur makes the process seamless. Jenny explains that, “In the beginning, both partners usually meet to communicate and honor the piece in the best way possible.” However, Spur also offers a special process for those wishing to keep the ring a complete surprise. In these cases, they often request photos of the person who will be wearing the piece. From there, “the sky is the limit” when it comes to designing the ring from scratch. Knowing the recipient’s personal style, as you surely do, greatly helps in creating a piece that is perfect for them.
Testimonials
Jordan & Andrew
“The ring is still the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. The mix of vintage & modern inspiration, how well my grandpa’s diamond fits with the sourced side stones, and the practicality of the low profile is beyond perfect. I’m so grateful to have something so special be a symbol of the love and connection between my partner and me. I am so thankful for the time and artistry that was put into the design of these pieces. They’ll be with me everyday for the rest of my life!!”
photography: Spur Jewelry
Before renovation (left), After renovation (right)
Abbie & Alexandros
“I loved the opportunity to collaborate. I had no specific ideas when I first contacted Jenny and the SPUR team for my jewelry designs and they helped me cultivate a vision. I would absolutely work with them again.”
photography: Spur Jewelry
Before renovation (left), After renovation (right)
AJ & Cameron
“The rings are stunning – we’re so happy.”
photography: Spur Jewelry
Before renovation (left), After renovation (right)
Ultimately, creating a captivating heirloom piece allows you to craft an engagement ring with a rich story—one that can be passed down through generations as each new wearer adds their own personal touch. If you’re interested in designing your own personalized and redesigned wedding jewelry, visit Spur Jewelry for more information.
