Interview about Meaningful Heart Concept to perpetuate emotions, winner of the A' Jewelry Design Award 2017
There exist a lot of jewelry carrying memories about family or events. They have become old-fashioned since, but are too invaluable and beloved to be sold. They are often tucked away in the jewelry box. Meaningful Heart Jewelry is usually a pendant to be worn either on a necklace, sometimes as a charm, a brooch or key-holder. It is a new piece of jewelry in a new shape but it still perpetuates all the individual emotions and memories. It is without fail made from the beloved old gold that was trusted to BrittasSchmiede. It is a heart melting concept.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe pivotal moment came when a customer approached me with a piece of unworn gold jewelry that held deep sentimental value but was no longer worn due to its outdated style. She wanted to preserve the memories associated with it but also desired a piece she could wear. This inspired me to create the Meaningful Heart Jewelry Concept, where cherished heirlooms are transformed into beautiful, wearable art while preserving their emotional significance.
Our melting process involves carefully analyzing the material to ensure its purity and then melting it down to form a new heart-shaped piece. Throughout this process, we maintain the integrity of the original gold, ensuring that the emotional value remains intact. We do this by intensively consulting with each individual customer about how the new heart should be shaped and what should be retained from the previous piece. The new heart shape not only gives the piece a fresh, contemporary look but also serves as a tangible reminder of the original jewelry's sentimental importance.
One of the main technical challenges was ensuring that the gold maintained its structural integrity during the melting process. Achieving the delicate balance between preserving the gold's texture and forming a visually appealing heart shape required precise temperature control and careful craftsmanship. Additionally, incorporating any existing stones or engravings from the original piece into the new design posed a challenge, but we managed to integrate these elements seamlessly.
The Meaningful Heart Jewelry Concept contributes to sustainability by using a chemical-free melting process, which ensures that no harmful substances are released into the environment. Additionally, by recycling the original gold and other materials, we minimize waste and reduce the need for new resources. This approach not only preserves the emotional value of the jewelry but also promotes environmentally responsible practices in the jewelry industry.
Blending traditional goldsmithing with modern design involves combining time-honored techniques with innovative approaches. By using traditional methods to melt and shape the gold, we ensure the piece's quality and durability. At the same time, modern design principles guide the creation of aesthetically pleasing and contemporary heart shapes. This fusion of old and new allows us to create pieces that honor the heritage of the original jewelry while giving it a fresh, modern look.
One memorable story involves a client who brought in her late grandmother's gold bracelet. The bracelet held immense sentimental value, but she never wore it. We transformed the bracelet into a heart pendant, made an individual engraving and incorporating a small diamond from an other piece of jewelry. When she received the pendant, she was deeply moved, as it allowed her to carry her grandmother's memory with her in a beautiful, wearable form.
Since its inception at the Gold Fever event, the Meaningful Heart Jewelry Concept has evolved to include a wider range of customization options. We offer different finishes, such as polished or matte surfaces, and the ability to incorporate additional elements like engravings or small gemstones. These innovations allow us to create even more personalized and meaningful pieces that resonate with our clients' unique stories.
When recommending different wearing options, we consider the client's personal style, the sentimental value of the original piece, and how they plan to wear the transformed jewelry. For example, a pendant might be ideal for someone who wants to keep the piece close to their heart, while a charm or key holder might be better suited for someone who prefers a more subtle reminder of their loved one.
We approach this balance by carefully listening to our clients' stories and understanding the emotional significance of the original piece. We then use this insight to create a design that not only preserves the essence of the original jewelry but also incorporates modern elements that make it wearable and appealing in today's context. You can't imagine how many different ways there are to shape a heart. And we also make stars or leaves :-D
Looking ahead, we envision expanding the Meaningful Heart Jewelry Concept by taking each and every customer seriously. Most of them have great ideas. When these ideas come together with ours, something unique and individual is created every time. For example, a cross made from a wedding ring in a picture frame. Going forward, we plan to remain as open, curious and creative with each customer as we were with our first customer.
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