Nothing makes a piece of jewellery more special than knowing it has been passed down through the generations. Whether you knew the family member who owned the piece, or never got the chance to meet them, heirloom pieces give you a connection to the past. Sadly, heirlooms do get lost, broken or sold as they are passed down, so if your family doesn’t have an heirloom piece, why not start your own tradition?

Finding the perfect heirloom jewellery piece

When you’re looking for jewellery to pass down to future generations, quality is key, as you’ll want the piece to last for as long as possible. You may want to look for antique jewellery in the UK, as anything that has already survived the last few decades is likely to be good quality and well-made.

From the design of a piece to the gemstones used, you should find a jewellery heirloom that’s meaningful to you. Every gemstone has its own meaning, so choose a piece with gems that represent the qualities you want to pass on to future generations.

Consider commissioning a piece of bespoke jewellery

If you want something completely unique and special to you, then bespoke jewellery is the way to go. This means your piece will be one of a kind and irreplaceable, which makes it extra special and something that’s more likely to stay in the family. You could start the process by having bespoke jewellery made for yourself for a wedding, milestone birthday or other special occasion, then passing it on in your will to a loved one.

Pick something that’ll age well

When you take a look at older pieces at fine jewellery sales, you’ll notice the most popular items are classic pieces of jewellery that never go out of style. You might want to consider choosing an heirloom that’s simple and elegant, from a gold chain to a pearl necklace. This will age well, rather than simply becoming dated.

At Susan Rumfitt Fine Jewellery, you can find many beautiful pieces of antique jewellery that would be perfect as heirlooms. Or you can have a bespoke piece made to your exact specifications. Browse our categories above to find out more.