Some pieces come into the studio with a little more history than others, and India’s ring was one of those projects that immediately felt meaningful. Jewellery has always carried stories through generations, but when old jewels are redesigned to mark a new chapter, in this case, the arrival of beautiful baby Cosmo, it becomes something even more special. The jewellery is given new life to celebrate new life.
I had the joy of working closely with India to create her Baby Bijoux using stones that have passed through three generations of women in India’s family. Pieces like this require thoughtful design. They carry memories, sentiment, and in this case, the quiet strength of the women who wore them before.
How the story began
A couple of years ago, when India turned thirty, her mother-in-law surprised her with a deeply personal gift: her own engagement ring. India later told me how touched she was, especially after learning that the stones had originally belonged to her mother-in-law’s mother. A lineage of love, essentially.
The diamond ring was in its original traditional setting; elegant but no longer worn. India was given full freedom to reimagine it when the time felt right, so she tucked it away, waiting for the perfect moment.
When our paths crossed
Fast-forward to earlier this year. India came across my work and reached out after reading about my bespoke process and how I often rework heirlooms into contemporary pieces. She had just found out she was pregnant with Cosmo and was wondering whether the heirloom ring could serve as a way to mark his arrival.
By coincidence, her sister’s partner had also come to me for a bespoke engagement ring at the same time, so there was already a lovely family connection before we’d even met.
Our first meeting
When India arrived at my studio, she brought moodboards full of chunky silhouettes, many of which aligned with my signature style. So, we already shared a creative direction. However, the moment that changed everything in the design process was when she noticed my brown diamond engagement ring.
The brown diamond is a stone many people have never encountered. India’s eyes lit up immediately. She hadn’t planned to introduce a new stone into her own ring, but inspiration often finds you unexpectedly. And in the midst of a very nauseating pregnancy, she was more than entitled to a moment of joy.
Reworking the heirloom
From the first sketches, we knew we wanted to create something that honoured the history of the original stones while feeling unmistakably “India.” The old setting was beautiful, but it didn’t reflect her personal style. She doesn’t tend to wear many saturated colours but she wanted to incorporate colour into the design somehow, and she wanted something more contemporary. A piece that aligned with her taste and that she would love wearing every day, forever.
We worked through shapes, stones, proportions and texture. Every decision was made thoughtfully. The result is a ring full of character, warmth and strength. A ring with past, present and future held in its centre.
A piece for Cosmo
To create a Baby Bijoux from heirloom stones is one of the most meaningful projects a jeweller can be part of. These diamonds have already moved through two generations, and India’s ring marks the moment they enter a third. One day, they will be passed on again, with India’s own story woven into them.
It was an honour to craft something so personal, to play a small role in her journey into motherhood, and to create a piece that holds love from generations past and for the newest little member of the family.
Cosmo’s story is only just beginning, but this ring will always be part of his beginning. To read India’s experience of our design process, visit her SubStack page here.
