What to Do If You’ve Inherited Jewellery You Won’t Wear

Inheriting a piece of jewellery often comes with emotion. It may be a gift from a grandparent, a family heirloom passed through generations, or something left to you in a will. These pieces often hold deep meaning, but not all of them suit our personal style or lifestyle. When you’ve inherited jewellery you don’t see yourself wearing, it can be difficult to know what to do next.

You may feel torn between sentiment and practicality. You may feel a sense of guilt for not loving something simply because it belonged to someone you loved. That’s natural. But jewellery is meant to be worn, not stored away. There are gentle, respectful ways to honour what the piece represents while ensuring it lives on in a form that feels true to you.

Understand the Story

Before you make any decisions, take a moment to understand the piece’s history. Is it part of a family story? Do you know who it belonged to, when it was given, and whether it marks a particular occasion? The more you understand about a piece, the easier it becomes to find a meaningful way forward.

If the piece was something worn every day, think about the connection it holds. Sometimes the act of wearing it yourself, even if only occasionally, can feel more special than any redesign.

Explore Redesigning

One of the most popular choices for inherited jewellery is to redesign it into something more wearable. At Walter Bull & Son, we work closely with clients to reimagine old pieces into modern, personal designs. That might mean resetting stones into a different setting, combining elements of more than one heirloom, or creating a whole new piece from the existing gold and gems.

It is still your relative’s ring. Still your grandmother’s brooch. Just with a new lease of life.

Consider Passing It On

Not every piece is right for redesign, and not every heirloom needs to stay in your jewellery box. Sometimes the most respectful thing you can do is pass the piece along to someone else who will wear and love it. That might be a sibling, cousin or child, or it might be a close family friend with a connection to the person who owned it.

You might also choose to sell or part with it entirely. That can feel uncomfortable, but remember, letting go of an object doesn’t mean letting go of the memory. If you decide to take this path, we always recommend getting a professional valuation first to ensure you understand its true worth, both sentimental and monetary.

Or Simply Keep It Safe

And of course, there’s always the option of keeping it. Even if you don’t wear it now, you may in the future. Or someone else in the family might be glad of it in years to come. In that case, make sure it’s stored properly in a dry, fabric-lined box and checked occasionally for condition. If it’s a particularly old piece, our workshop can check the settings and structure to make sure it’s preserved well.

Jewellery holds memory. That doesn’t mean you have to keep everything exactly as it was. With the right care, inherited pieces can be transformed, shared, or simply preserved and continue to carry meaning in ways that suit your life and style today.