Some Stories End Right When New Ones Begin.

There are certain appointments that stay with me long after they're over, and Angi's was one of them. She has been part of the CMD family for over fifteen years, and over that time I've had the privilege of creating so many pieces for her collection. She's attended countless Bay Area pop-ups and was a regular at my old Mission shop in SF. She's like an old friend at this point. Angi has always been someone who appreciates craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the stories that live inside the pieces we wear. Recently, after retiring, she's even begun making jewelry herself, which feels like such a natural extension of who she is.

When I returned to the Bay Area this summer, Angi booked a Reconstruction appointment that ended up becoming my very last appointment just days before I had plans to head back East. By the time she arrived, The Ring Bar had been taken down, most of my CMD stash was boxed up, and we just sat around the dining room table, talking about life and the wild and beautiful journey CMD has been on. Angi affirmed me on this new venture and offered such encouraging words. She had just retired and was standing at the beginning of an entirely new chapter herself, and somehow it felt fitting that this meaningful project would arrive at exactly that moment. Kismet.

A year earlier, Angi had lost her mother. When she passed away, Angi inherited the diamond ring her father had given her mom for their fiftieth wedding anniversary. The ring carried decades of love and history, but it also represented something deeply personal. As Angi shared with me afterward, "She had beautiful hands and an incredible sense of style, and I inherited my love of jewelry from her." That sentence has stayed with me because I think it says so much about the ways we carry the people we love with us.

As someone who has followed and worn my work for years, Angi was excited when I began offering Reconstruction. She knew she wanted to preserve her mother's diamond, but she also knew she wanted to create something she would actually wear every day. Together, we designed a ring that honored the significance of the original while reflecting her own aesthetic. The anniversary diamond was preserved and framed in warm gold, oriented East-West, then paired with a bold sterling silver band that feels unmistakably like Angi. It doesn't try to recreate her mother's ring but allows that story to continue in a completely new way.

 
One of my favorite things Angi wrote to me after receiving the finished piece was this: "I wear my ring every day now. It feels like my mom's ring, but in my voice. In many ways, that's a reflection of our relationship. We were different in so many ways, but we both found joy in expressing ourselves through the jewelry we wore. This ring feels like the perfect reflection of both of us." I honestly can't think of a more beautiful way to describe what Reconstruction can become.

 
People sometimes assume these projects are about preserving the past exactly as it was, but that's never been how I see them. Reconstruction isn't about recreating an old piece of jewelry. It's about taking something that already carries immense meaning and giving it a future that fits the life you're living today, whether that's after the loss of someone you love, a divorce, a milestone anniversary, or another major life transition. Whatever the reason, the goal isn't to erase the story. It's to keep living it.

Looking back, I love that Angi's project became the final appointment of my West Coast residency. As one chapter was coming to a close for both of us, another was just beginning. She was stepping into retirement, I was wrapping up an unforgettable trip, and together we transformed a family heirloom into something she now wears every single day. It's a reminder that the most meaningful jewelry isn't frozen in time. It evolves with us, collecting new stories while honoring the ones that came before.

Curious About Reconstruction?

Have you been wondering what to do with an old wedding ring, inherited jewelry, or a piece that carries complicated memories? I'd love to get creative together and help you imagine what it could become. If you're curious about Reconstruction, whether you're ready to begin or simply want to chat about what's possible, I want to hear your story. Every project starts with a conversation, and the piece you'll never want to take off may already be sitting in the shade of your jewelry box.

If you're not sure where to start, a complimentary 15-minute phone consult is a great first step. And if you're ready to dive in, let's schedule a design session.

With gratitude and love,
Colleen

 

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