The client came to us with a very personal and heartfelt idea. She wanted to create a new custom ladies’ ring inspired by an old family heirloom, a ring that had been passed down to her father by his own father. Because of this, the original piece carried far more than its design. It represented family history, cherished memories, and a lasting connection between generations.
This new ring was created as a way to remember and honor her father, while also paying tribute to the family members who came before him. Rather than making an exact copy of the original heirloom, the client wanted to give the design a fresh new life. Her vision was for a ring that felt modern, elegant, and easy to wear, but still held onto the meaningful family symbols that made the original piece so special.
As the client shared at the beginning of the process:
“I have an image of a ring my father had passed down to him from his father. I want to make a modern ring based on this ring design.”
The finished ring was intended to symbolize faith, virtue, and loyalty, values strongly connected to the traditional Martin coat of arms and deeply important to the client.
The client wanted a modern crest ring inspired by the heirloom piece while preserving the meaningful symbols from the original coat of arms. Her photo of the ring became the foundation for the design.
Design Requirements and Vision
- Design style: Modern crest ring
- Source material: Photograph of a family heirloom ring
- Design direction: Contemporary, minimalistic, symbolic.
- Jewelry type: Ladies’ crest ring
- Metal: 14kt gold
The client requested that the traditional symbols be preserved, especially the shield from the original heirloom ring. However, she also wanted the surrounding design to feel more current and refined.
Design Process
- The Heraldic Jewelry design team began by studying the photograph of the heirloom ring and identifying which parts of the original design needed to be preserved. The shield and its symbolic elements remained the core of the new piece
- From there, the team created a modernized crest image using a more minimalistic coat of arms framework. The goal was to keep the ring faithful to the family’s history while giving it a cleaner, more contemporary appearance.
- The design team preserved the original shield and updated the surrounding elements. In particular, the helmet and mantling around the sides of the shield were modernized, replacing the more traditional styling with refined lines and a simpler visual structure.
- The client received multiple proofs at various stages of the project. After choosing a concept, the design team refined the piece through several rounds of review and consultation. This collaborative process helped ensure the finished design honored the original heirloom while reflecting the client’s desire for a modern crest ring.
Original coat of arms
Initial design sketchs
Final ring proof
The completed Martin ladies’ crest ring was die-cast in 14kt gold, blending tradition with a modern update to a cherished family heirloom. The design preserved the original coat of arms and symbols while simplifying the surrounding crest with clean, contemporary lines.
Final Design
- A modern ladies’ crest ring design that preserved the original family coat of arms.
- An updated modern helmet and mantling design.
- A refined symbolic contemporary finish.
Client
Testimonial
“I received my ring and could not be happier. The finished piece of
jewelry is everything I was hoping for and more. This ring means so
much to me in honoring those who came before me, and I will wear it
with pride.
Thank you very much for a job well done!”
The client was thrilled with the final ring, especially how the team preserved the family symbols and brought her vision together beautifully. The finished piece exceeded expectations as a modern heirloom honoring her father, ancestors, and family values.
Bring Your Idea to Life
Start with a personalized consultation, sharing your vision and preferences with our expert design team. With over 20 years experience we have the knowledge and craftsmanship to create a unique piece of jewelry that will be cherished for generations to come.