A Wedding Ring’s Journey: From Soviet Ukraine to a New Love Story

Jewelry is more than just metal and gemstones—it carries history, memories, and meaning that transcend generations.

When Mike came to me with his future grandmother in law’s wedding ring, I knew this would be one of the most meaningful projects I’d ever work on.

Sara’s grandmother had worn this solid gold wedding ring in Soviet Ukraine before she immigrated to the United States. She carried it with her as a symbol of love and resilience, a piece of her past she could hold onto as she started a new life.

Now, decades later, Sara wanted to repurpose that same gold into a wedding band for her fiancé, Mike. It was important to her that her grandmother’s legacy lived on in a way that honored the past while embracing the future.

Honoring History in a New Form

The first step in this transformation was preserving the original hallmarks—small stamps inside the ring that told part of its story. Rather than melting them away, we carefully sawed them out so Sara could keep them as a keepsake.

Mike chose a simple, classic 5mm half-round comfort-fit band, allowing the history of the gold to shine through in a new form.

To make it even more meaningful, Sara had a special engraving inside the ring—a surprise for Mike:
"It’s Bashert."

In Yiddish, "bashert" means "meant to be"—a perfect sentiment for their wedding band.

A Piece of the Past, A Gift for the Future

I wasn’t sure if there would be enough gold, but once the metal was melted and cast, there was plenty left over. Instead of discarding it, I presented the remaining gold and hallmarks in a small gemstone box, a beautiful keepsake for Sara to treasure.

When Sara and Mike picked up the ring one week before their wedding, their reaction was priceless. Seeing their excitement reminded me why I love what I do—creating jewelry that tells a story and keeps history alive.

Would You Transform an Heirloom?

This project was a beautiful reminder that old jewelry doesn’t have to sit in a drawer. It can be given new life, carrying its history into the future in a way that’s meaningful for you.

If you have a family heirloom that you’d love to repurpose into a new piece, let’s chat! Whether it’s an engagement ring, wedding band, or a custom creation, I’d love to help you bring its next chapter to life.

Send me a message, and let’s start designing something timeless together.