Let’s say you or someone you love has a sentimental streak for the antique, but that beautiful pre-owned diamond you snagged for a song at an online auction needs some new life breathed into it. Yes, you can have a cool, fresh, and modern piece of jewelry without sacrificing that precious vintage diamond. We’ve compiled some simple but important steps that will help you start the process of setting your old diamond into a brand-new mounting.

See an Appraiser
The first thing anyone should do when they get their hands on a previously enjoyed diamond is to make sure it’s all that it says it is. Many times, antique diamonds are not accompanied by a certification so it’s hard to know exactly what the diamond’s stats are—in other words, its color, clarity, cut grade (only for round brilliants), and carat weight among other things. Even if it’s your diamond that you are thinking of remounting, have it checked by a professional to make sure that no damage has been done to the stone in the years that you’ve worn it.

Here are the things that your independently-certified gemologist appraiser needs to verify for you if the diamond is still mounted or even if the diamond is unset:

1. If it is an actual natural diamond and not lab grown or enhanced in any way.
2. If there is any damage to the diamond (i.e. chips, fractures, etc.)
3. Where the inclusions (if any) are in the stone.
4. What the approximate color grade of the diamond is
5. What the approximate weight is if it is set, and what it is if it is not set

If you take a set diamond to your appraiser, it’s good that they check these things first before you have the diamond removed from the mounting by a professional jeweler. That way, if any damage occurs during the process of the stone being removed, you have documentation of all flaws prior to the work being done.

Find or Create Your New Mounting
There are many places for a buyer to find a mounting both online and locally, so it’s best to start doing your research once you have the diamond you’ll be using. You are the only you out there, and so your jewelry should reflect your personality, your likes, and your sense of style.

One way to research setting and setting styles is to hit some popular hashtags on photo sharing social media sites like Instagram. For example, popular hashtags like #ringsofinstagram and #showmeyourrings will pull up a variety of ring ideas and styles that will have you scrolling through your feed for hours.

You can also work with a custom jeweler to create a unique ring or necklace using sketches and CAD/CAM technology. This can be an incredibly fun process since you – as the wearer and designer – get to see how the piece is made every step of the way.

Enjoy it!
Once your new piece has been made in the metal of your choice and your diamond has been set exactly how you envisioned, it’s time for you to take that baby for a spin, so shoot your pictures, post to social, and gather your friends together for a night of “oohhhs” and “ahhhs.” Enjoying your new (old) diamond for years to come will make the entire process worth it.