Brooches as Heirloom Pieces
TL;DR: An inherited brooch is one of the easiest heirloom pieces to redesign, since the stones and metal can be reset into an entirely new brooch, or converted into a different piece altogether, without losing what made the original meaningful.
Why Brooches Are Common Heirlooms
Brooches were a jewellery staple for much of the twentieth century, which means many families have at least one inherited piece — often from a grandmother or great-aunt — that carries real sentimental weight but doesn't suit how the current owner actually dresses or lives.
Options for an Inherited Brooch
Wear it as designed — the simplest option, particularly if the original design still appeals. See our guide to wearing a brooch today for modern placement ideas that can make an older design feel current.
Reset the stones into a new brooch — keeping the format but redesigning the setting entirely around your own taste, while preserving the original stones and their history.
Convert it into a different piece — a brooch's stones can become a pendant, a ring, or earrings, particularly useful if brooches themselves don't suit your lifestyle but the stones are too meaningful to leave unworn. See our full repurposing guide for how this process works.
What Happens to the Original Setting
The original metal is typically melted down and reused in the new piece, or kept separately if the setting itself (not just the stones) carries sentimental value — worth raising this at consultation if it applies to your piece.
Resetting a Family Brooch at À Vie Diamonds
Every stone is independently assessed and re-certified where needed before redesign begins. Get in touch with what you have and we'll talk through what's possible.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an old brooch be turned into a necklace? Yes — the stones can be reset into a pendant, ring, earrings, or a new brooch, depending on what suits your lifestyle best.
Is it disrespectful to redesign an inherited brooch? Not at all — many families see redesigning as a way to keep a piece actively worn and loved, rather than sitting unworn in a drawer.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds