The Remix
When one piece carries the whole family.
What a Remix is
A Remix is a single new piece of fine jewelry built from stones taken out of two or more separate inherited pieces — usually from different generations, or from both sides of a family. It differs from a standard heirloom redesign, which reworks one source piece. A Remix combines stones that have never been set together, so the design has to be worked out from what the family actually has rather than chosen from a catalogue. The term is what Kate Rose Fine Jewelry, a Santa Monica heirloom redesign studio, calls this kind of project. A Remix typically runs $3,500–$10,000 and takes six to ten weeks to build.
The diamond from your grandmother's engagement ring. The sapphire your mother gave you for your sixteenth birthday. The pearl from your great-aunt's brooch. The gold from your father's wedding band. One piece, one story, all of them.
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What a Remix piece looks like
I've made Remixes in nearly every form:
- A pendant combining three generations of engagement diamonds, set in a vertical line
- A statement ring with a center grandmother's diamond and a halo of mother's side stones
- A necklace strung with stones from a brooch, a bracelet, and a tennis necklace
- Earrings using the matched diamonds from two separate engagement rings
- A right-hand cocktail ring combining stones from a mother's and mother-in-law's pieces
The form follows the stones. I start by laying out what you have, and design from there.
How a Remix differs from a regular redesign
| Regular heirloom redesign | The Remix |
|---|---|
| Usually one source piece | Two or more source pieces |
| Often resets the same stones in a new setting | Combines stones that have never been together |
| 4–6 week build | 6–10 week build (more design iteration) |
| $2,500–$5,000 typical | $3,500–$10,000 typical |
The complexity isn't just in the metalwork — it's in the design conversation. A Remix requires me to understand the story of every original piece before I can figure out how they want to live together.
How it works
- Free Remix consultation. Bring (or send photos of) every piece you're considering. You don't need to know which stones to use — that's part of what we figure out.
- Stone laydown. In person or in a video call, I lay out every stone side by side, sort by size and type, and start sketching possibilities.
- Multiple sketch directions. I typically present 3–4 design directions for a Remix.
- CAD render of chosen direction.
- Build. 6–10 weeks. Master jewelers, hand-set.
- Reveal. Often involves the whole family.
What it costs
A Remix starts at $3,500 and most land between $3,500 and $10,000 — above the $2,500–$5,000 a single-piece redesign typically runs, because of the extra stones and setting work involved. Where a project lands depends on:
- Number of stones being incorporated
- Whether new metal is sourced or family metal is melted down
- Setting complexity
- Whether new side stones are added
You'll get a specific quote at the consultation, before any work begins.
FAQ
What is a Remix in jewelry?
A Remix is one new piece of fine jewelry made from stones taken out of two or more separate inherited pieces. A standard heirloom redesign reworks a single piece; a Remix brings several together, usually across generations or across both sides of a family.
How is a Remix different from just resetting a stone?
Resetting moves one stone into a new setting. A Remix starts from a group of pieces, works out which stones can live together, and designs around that combination. It takes longer and costs more because the design has to be invented rather than adapted.
Can I include stones from family pieces that aren't mine?
Yes, with the owner's permission. I've made Remixes that include stones from living grandmothers, siblings, mothers-in-law. The piece can become its own family conversation.
What if some of the stones aren't valuable?
The value of a Remix isn't in the resale value of the stones — it's in what they mean to you. I've made Remixes with diamonds worth thousands sitting next to small sapphires worth $50. They look beautiful together, because the story makes them beautiful.
Can you replicate this for multiple family members?
I've done sister sets and mother-daughter sets where each person gets a piece that incorporates the same family stones, divided differently.