Fall in Love All Over Again: A Custom Opal Jewelry Makeover
Do you have a piece of jewelry sitting in a drawer that you haven't worn in years? Maybe it was passed down to you, or maybe your personal style has just evolved. Whatever the reason, we are here to remind you that your unworn jewelry doesn't have to stay hidden in the dark!
Here at our Arden-Arcade studio, one of our absolute favorite things to do is jewelry redesign. We love taking a stone with a history and giving it a fabulous new future. Let’s take a look at our latest custom transformation!
The "Before": A Diamond in the Rough
Our client came to us with a lovely piece: a beautiful, iridescent opal set in a very simple, standard gold frame (you can see the original pendant below). The stone itself was gorgeous, flashing with greens and blues, but the setting was a bit dated and didn't reflect our client's vibrant personality. It was time for a makeover.
The Design Phase: Dreaming Big
The goal was to create something organic, elegant, and full of color. We collaborated closely with our client, drafting sketches and creating a custom wax design for them to approve (check out the design layout ). We decided to pull the natural colors out of the opal by accenting it with a dazzling array of sapphire and emerald stones around it.
The Final Reveal: An Heirloom Reborn
The transformation is truly night and day!
As you can see in the image we wrapped the opal in sweeping, asymmetrical yellow gold that feels alive and elegant. To add a spectacular pop of color, we created a cascading trail of vivid green emeralds, deep blue sapphires, and brilliant white diamonds along the edges. Even the side profile was meticulously crafted for dimension and durability with a double gallery setting.
The new piece looks absolutely breathtaking when worn (just look at how it glows). It went from a simple, forgotten pendant to a stunning conversation starter.
Ready for Your Own Jewelry Makeover? Don't let your beautiful gemstones gather dust. Bring them to us, and let’s create something you'll be excited to wear every single day. Contact us to schedule your custom design consultation!