sweet 16 keepsake :: recycled

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Our client, Erin, had a gold and diamond pendant she had been given as a sweet 16 gift from her grandparents. They themselves, had recycled a diamond and some of their gold jewelry from various pieces and had a pendant cast to give to their granddaughter. While Erin cherished the family pendant, it just wasn’t a piece she could see herself wearing. She described her style as classic, earth-friendly, and bold. She also sited the practicality of the piece as important; she wanted this new piece to be one she could wear everyday without worry.

gold pendant with diamond upcycled to tension-set diamond ring

Out of our design meeting came a tension-set diamond ring, with the recycled gold as an accent. The stainless is clean and contemporary, the diamond is classic, and the hammered, oxidized gold lends an earthy organic feel. This piece did indeed become an everyday staple for Erin, and the first piece of her kara | daniel collection.

This piece will be on exhibit at The Green Show: Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse at the Epic Center . Kalamazoo, MI . September 9-30. Opening reception Friday, September 9th . 5:00-8:00p.

reNEW, reuse, recycle

Thursday, January 28th, 2010
simple diamond stud

before

reNEWed trio of stainless steel rings

after

one of the most enjoyable ways to wear gorgeous jewelry responsibly is to renew a piece of jewelry or gemstone that has fallen out of rotation in your jewelry box. remember that heirloom marquis diamond that your great-aunt Mildred gifted you years ago? and you thought you’d never wear it…well now it can be the focal piece of a contemporary stainless steel ring, a tension-set pendant, almost anything you can dream up. these photos are from our latest in reNEWed jewelry. a simple and traditional diamond earring in gold longed for an update. so we created this trio of rings to show it off.

  • top: stainless steel mini-scroll with gold recycled from client’s jewelry
  • middle: stainless steel band with recycled gold inlay
  • bottom: stainless steel mini-scroll with re-set brilliant-cut diamond

interested in a reNEWal project of your own? contact kara | daniel JEWELRY at kdJ@karadanielJEWELRY.com

images by kdJ