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Explore Q Report's Content Centre for expert advice on jewellery insurance. You can also read e-guides and blogs, watch videos and more.

Explore Q Report's Content Centre for expert advice on jewellery insurance. You can also read e-guides and blogs, watch videos and more.

Jewellery, engagement ring & watch advice, plus insurance tips & industry insights. 

Watch expert tips, discover insurance benefits & hear real customer stories. 

Find answers to common questions about jewellery, engagement ring & watch insurance. 

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Click here to access the Target Market Determination (TMD) document.

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Not Your Style? A Guide to Resetting Your Family Heirloom Diamond Ring

Q Report Team

Updated on March 17, 2025
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You’ve inherited a piece of jewellery from a beloved family member. Congratulations! No doubt, the ring reminds you of your loved one, and you’re thrilled to be entrusted with a family heirloom. 

In these cases, the new owner of the piece often feels torn. The jewellery is lovely, and it reflects the personality of the former wearer, but it doesn’t necessarily suit your personality or style.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem. You can still cherish that family heirloom ring while altering it to suit your style. With a few changes, you can wear it proudly and always keep your loved one’s memory with you.

How to Reset an Heirloom Diamond Ring

What could be more romantic than proposing with a ring that has been handed down through the generations?

Engagement ring styles change, however, and what thrilled brides 60 years ago may look out of place today. But that doesn’t mean your bride can’t wear an heirloom ring.

Since an engagement ring is a piece of jewellery worn every day, it makes sense to choose one that fits the wearer’s style and character. Reimagining and resetting an heirloom ring doesn’t mean completely new elements. You can always reuse the stones, and often, you can melt down the metal and recast it as well.

Since it contains the same elements and the same sentiment, the new ring offers the best of both worlds: family history as well as individualised character. Prince Harry went this route when he proposed to Meghan Markle. Her ring contains two diamonds from his mother Princess Diana’s collection, but it also includes a new stone with personal meaning to the couple.

Find a Jeweller You Love

The first step in resetting an heirloom diamond ring is to find a jeweller you love. You’ll be entrusting a precious family treasure to this jeweller, so do your research. If you don’t yet have a family jeweller, consider working with a Q Certified Jeweller in your area.

Consider the Stone

When making decisions about the new setting, don’t be confined by the old piece. While it’s easier to pop a round stone into a new round setting, most jewellers are talented enough at metalwork to make a stone look different. For example, round stones can be set in hexagonal or even square settings.

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Evaluate the Metal

Consider all of your options when it comes to the ring’s metal. Do you want to keep the original design? Does it merely need to be resized? Would you like to melt it down and create something entirely new?

Maybe the metal doesn’t suit the original stone. If the diamond has a yellowish tinge, platinum will only highlight the stone’s lack of colourlessness. But if the coloured diamond were set on a gorgeous yellow gold band, the diamond’s natural shade would be enhanced.

Don’t be afraid to put the original metal to a different purpose. You could, for instance, set a vintage stone in new metal to create a look that perfectly suits your style. But you still have the old metal, right? The original metal may be melted down to create something entirely new, such as a set of earrings or a wedding band.

Considerations

Before you dive headlong into resetting a family heirloom, keep the following factors in mind.

Antique Jewellery May Be Damaged

Over time, diamonds can become damaged through daily wear. It’s not uncommon for stones in antique jewellery to have chips along the edges. If the damage is severe, the diamond’s structure may be compromised, putting it at risk during the transfer to a new piece. Always consult a jeweller about the wisdom of putting your old diamond into a modern setting.

Diamonds Can Be Recut

If your family heirloom has a diamond that is worth resetting, you might want to consider having it recut to current specifications or a particular shape. Some vintage diamonds have odd cuts, and you may want a different look for your engagement ring.

Keep in mind that this service can be expensive, and you’ll usually end up with a smaller carat weight after it has been cut. At the same time, you might pick up some clarity points by removing surface flaws during the cutting.

Heirlooms Need Insurance Too

Family heirlooms hold a great deal of sentimental value, making it so important to protect them with specialised jewellery insurance. Whether a piece of jewellery is brand new or has been in the family for many years, be sure to cover it with Q Report jewellery insurance. With Q Report, your jewellery will be protected from damage, theft and loss, even when you’re travelling overseas.

To get an instant quote for your family heirloom, reach out to us at Q Report.

 

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Purchase Amount

To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.

Don't have the receipt?

If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.

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You’ve inherited a piece of jewellery from a beloved family member. Congratulations! No doubt, the ring reminds you of your loved one, and you’re thrilled to be entrusted with a family heirloom. 

In these cases, the new owner of the piece often feels torn. The jewellery is lovely, and it reflects the personality of the former wearer, but it doesn’t necessarily suit your personality or style.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem. You can still cherish that family heirloom ring while altering it to suit your style. With a few changes, you can wear it proudly and always keep your loved one’s memory with you.

How to Reset an Heirloom Diamond Ring

What could be more romantic than proposing with a ring that has been handed down through the generations?

Engagement ring styles change, however, and what thrilled brides 60 years ago may look out of place today. But that doesn’t mean your bride can’t wear an heirloom ring.

Since an engagement ring is a piece of jewellery worn every day, it makes sense to choose one that fits the wearer’s style and character. Reimagining and resetting an heirloom ring doesn’t mean completely new elements. You can always reuse the stones, and often, you can melt down the metal and recast it as well.

Since it contains the same elements and the same sentiment, the new ring offers the best of both worlds: family history as well as individualised character. Prince Harry went this route when he proposed to Meghan Markle. Her ring contains two diamonds from his mother Princess Diana’s collection, but it also includes a new stone with personal meaning to the couple.

Find a Jeweller You Love

The first step in resetting an heirloom diamond ring is to find a jeweller you love. You’ll be entrusting a precious family treasure to this jeweller, so do your research. If you don’t yet have a family jeweller, consider working with a Q Certified Jeweller in your area.

Consider the Stone

When making decisions about the new setting, don’t be confined by the old piece. While it’s easier to pop a round stone into a new round setting, most jewellers are talented enough at metalwork to make a stone look different. For example, round stones can be set in hexagonal or even square settings.

New call-to-action

 

Evaluate the Metal

Consider all of your options when it comes to the ring’s metal. Do you want to keep the original design? Does it merely need to be resized? Would you like to melt it down and create something entirely new?

Maybe the metal doesn’t suit the original stone. If the diamond has a yellowish tinge, platinum will only highlight the stone’s lack of colourlessness. But if the coloured diamond were set on a gorgeous yellow gold band, the diamond’s natural shade would be enhanced.

Don’t be afraid to put the original metal to a different purpose. You could, for instance, set a vintage stone in new metal to create a look that perfectly suits your style. But you still have the old metal, right? The original metal may be melted down to create something entirely new, such as a set of earrings or a wedding band.

Considerations

Before you dive headlong into resetting a family heirloom, keep the following factors in mind.

Antique Jewellery May Be Damaged

Over time, diamonds can become damaged through daily wear. It’s not uncommon for stones in antique jewellery to have chips along the edges. If the damage is severe, the diamond’s structure may be compromised, putting it at risk during the transfer to a new piece. Always consult a jeweller about the wisdom of putting your old diamond into a modern setting.

Diamonds Can Be Recut

If your family heirloom has a diamond that is worth resetting, you might want to consider having it recut to current specifications or a particular shape. Some vintage diamonds have odd cuts, and you may want a different look for your engagement ring.

Keep in mind that this service can be expensive, and you’ll usually end up with a smaller carat weight after it has been cut. At the same time, you might pick up some clarity points by removing surface flaws during the cutting.

Heirlooms Need Insurance Too

Family heirlooms hold a great deal of sentimental value, making it so important to protect them with specialised jewellery insurance. Whether a piece of jewellery is brand new or has been in the family for many years, be sure to cover it with Q Report jewellery insurance. With Q Report, your jewellery will be protected from damage, theft and loss, even when you’re travelling overseas.

To get an instant quote for your family heirloom, reach out to us at Q Report.

 

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Understanding the 4 Cs of Diamonds
Diamond Shapes
Choosing a Ring Style
Selecting a Ring Retailer

Understanding Mechanical Movements

Rolex-super-precision

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Statistic Heading

Rolex-super-precision

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Common Diamond Alternatives
for Engagement Rings

Tanzanite

Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Aquamarine

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Sapphire

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Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

“Knowing your engagement ring is insured brings peace of mind. Accidents can happen, and insurance coverage alleviates the worry and stress of potential loss or damage.”

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Export
Expert Tip

Budget Considerations

Diamond shapes can vary in price due to popularity and demand. Round brilliants, for example, tend to be more expensive than other shapes due to their high demand. If budget is a concern, consider alternative shapes or prioritise other aspects, such as cut quality, over the shape itself.

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Jewellery Insurance FAQ

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
Home Security Fortification

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Travel Savvy

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Social Media Caution

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Regular Valuations

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

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Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Home Security Fortification

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Purchase Amount

To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.

Don't have the receipt?

If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.

OK

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