Jewelry That Fits Your Life
Redesigns That Make Your Pieces Truly Yours
Jewelry is more than stones and metal, it’s a part of your story. But sometimes pieces don’t quite fit your style anymore, or they sit hidden in a box. Jewelry redesign can change that, turning what you already own into pieces you’ll love to wear every day.
At Johantgen Jewelers, we’ve been helping Minneapolis families reimagine their jewelry since 1896. With over 130 years of experience, we create designs that honor the original stones and the memories they hold, while making something that feels modern, personal, and wearable.
- Refresh old designs while keeping your stones
- Merge pieces to create something new and unique
- Make jewelry that matches your style and daily life
- Over 130 years of trusted service in Minneapolis
Our Approach to Jewelry Redesign
Many people have jewelry with sentimental value that doesn't fit their current style or lifestyle. Redesigning allows you to wear those meaningful items in a way that works for you.
Preserving What Matters
Jewelry pieces carry connection and memories. By resetting the stones and sometimes even the metals in a new design, you keep what's meaningful while creating something you'll actually wear.
Understanding Your Vision
We take time to learn about your style and how you envision wearing this piece. The goal is jewelry you're excited to put on, not something that sits in a drawer.
Collaborative Design
Using hand-carved waxes and CAD technology, we can show you realistic renderings before any work begins. You see options and make decisions at your own pace.
Let's Explore
Types of Jewelry Redesign
Every piece presents unique possibilities. Here's what transformation can look like:
- Complete Setting Redesign
Keep the stones and use the metal to create a new setting that fits your style. Your diamond moves from a dated setting into a sleek modern design, or vice versa.
- Multiple Pieces Into One
Combine several pieces into a single new design. Grandmother's diamond, your aunt's side stones, and metal from another ring become one meaningful piece.
- Ring to Pendant Conversion
Transform a ring into a pendant you can wear every day. The stone doesn't have to stay on your finger; it can hang from your neck instead.
- Pendant to Ring Transformation
Turn a pendant or brooch stone into a ring. Stones can move between jewelry types to better suit how you want to wear them.
- Creating Matching Pieces
When multiple people share one piece, we can create separate pieces from the original. The center stone becomes a ring for one person; the side stones become earrings for another.
- Earring Transformations
Reset earrings into styles that work better for your life. Drop earrings become studs, clip-ons become pierced, formal styles become everyday pieces.
- Bracelet and Bangle Redesign
Transform bracelets into designs that fit your style, or move stones into entirely different jewelry types.
- Adding to Existing Pieces
Incorporate stones into jewelry you already own and love. Add diamonds to your wedding band or set stones into a pendant you already wear.
- Creating Something Entirely New
Design a completely original piece using existing stones that reflects who you are today.
Not sure what's possible with your pieces?
How We Transform Your Jewelry
Step 1: Bring Everything and Tell Us the Story
Share the jewelry and any context that matters to you. Understanding what the pieces represent helps us design something meaningful.
Step 2: Honest Assessment
We examine everything carefully, stones, condition, metal, and elements worth preserving. We identify what you're working with.
Step 3: Understanding Your Vision
We learn about your style and what jewelry you actually wear. This helps us create something you'll love, not just tolerate.
Step 4: Design Exploration
Using hand carved waxes or CAD technology, we show you design options before any work is done. This is collaborative work.
Step 5: Clear Quote and Timeline
You receive a detailed quote with an estimate for your entire piece. Most redesigns take 4-6 weeks from design approval to finished piece.
Step 6: Careful Craftsmanship
We remove stones carefully, craft the new piece in our workshop, and set your stones securely into their new design.
Step 7: A Piece That Feels Like Yours
The stones are the same, but now in a form that fits your life and your style.
Ready to transform guilt into something you love?
Why Minneapolis Families Trust Johantgen for Jewelry Redesign
Family-Owned for Over 130 Years
We've been working with jewelry from every era since 1896. We understand how pieces from different periods were made and how to work with them.
We Understand the Meaning
Redesigning jewelry with sentimental value carries significance beyond the technical work. We handle these pieces with the care they deserve.
Real Craftsmanship
Our jewelers create designs that don't exist anywhere else. When your project requires something unique, we can build it.
Thoughtful Preservation
We discuss which original elements can be incorporated into the new design, including metal and smaller stones.
Your Ongoing Jeweler
After the redesign, we remain available for cleaning, inspections, and any future modifications.
Looking for a redesign that respects what you're protecting?
Don't Take Our Word for It
When Minneapolis families want to transform inherited jewelry into pieces they'll actually wear, they come to Johantgen:
"I brought in a mid-century Philippe Watch chronograph that had been sitting for decades, and Todd, the watchmaker, not only confirmed it was powered by a Valjoux movement, but brought it fully back to life."
-Dan Monaghan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had quite the shock when my dog decided that my wife’s engagement ring looked like a nice treat. He absolutely mangled it, leaving a bent mess and a stone that was completely separated from its setting…"
-Matt Pauly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I was amazed with the service and craftsmanship of the ring I bought. Todd communicated very well and built the exact ring I was looking for at a great price. He went above and beyond, delivering the ring to me…"
-Jeremiah Lachner ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Got my Mothers Wedding rings resized and while I was helping her with that got mine resized as well, the work was done well and timely."
-Bill Schuneman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Working with Johantgen Jewelers was the right choice when it came to having my custom wedding ring repaired. My ring is 10 years old and because of its intricate design and the nature of my job it had suffered…"
-Megan Grunerud ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Johantgen Jewelers is the ONLY place I will ever purchase fine jewelry or have repairs done. I have known Todd for about 35 years. My wedding ring has been well maintained and upgraded by his shop. He is an artisan..."
-Kathy Snyder ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Great work and super stress-free. I needed a custom engagement ring for my beautiful fiancé and Johantgen Jewelers was my rescue for my already busy schedule. Just send in photos of rings you like and they custom..."
-Jacob Heinen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I am beyond thrilled with my 25-year wedding ring from Johantgen Jewelers! They worked magic by repurposing my first ring, skillfully using the original diamonds, stones, and gold. The team designed a special setting that beautifully..."
-Lonna Rubesch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That jewelry deserves to be seen, not stored.
Bring Us Your Heirlooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the original setting?
That's your choice. We can preserve it, incorporate metal from it into the new design, or give you credit for the value of the metal against the total cost of your design.
Can any stone be reset into a new design?
Most stones can be reset. Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are durable and reset easily. Softer stones require more care. We examine everything and discuss any limitations before design begins.
How much does jewelry redesign cost?
It varies based on complexity. We provide detailed quotes after understanding what you want to create. Redesigning can even cost less than buying new jewelry of equivalent quality because you already have some of the metal and stones.
How long does a redesign take?
Typically, 4-6 weeks from design approval to finished piece. Complex designs may take longer.
What if I don't know what I want?
That's completely normal. We explore possibilities together and develop a concept collaboratively.
Can you work with jewelry that's damaged?
Usually, yes. We assess what's salvageable and design around what you have.
Can you maintain a vintage feel in a redesign?
We can go either direction, modern design with existing stones, or vintage-inspired style in a more wearable form.
Have questions about your specific pieces?
Let's talk!
That Jewelry Is Waiting to Be Worn Again
Every day it sits in a drawer is a day its meaning stays hidden. A day you don't think about your grandmother when you look at your hand. A day the connection it represents stays locked in a box instead of living in your daily life.
Johantgen Jewelers has been transforming inherited jewelry for Minneapolis families for over 130 years. We understand what these pieces mean. We have the skill to create something new from something treasured. And we'll help you turn that box of complicated feelings into jewelry you're excited to wear every single day.
Your grandmother would want you to actually wear it. Let’s make that possible.
Visit Our Minneapolis Shop