At Vanscoy, Maurer & Bash Diamond Jewelers in Lancaster, PA, we believe that jewelry is more than something you wear—it’s a story you carry with you. Some of the most meaningful pieces we create are born not from a showroom case, but from cherished heirlooms, each with a history waiting to be honored and transformed. This is the story of how our diamond jewelery expert, Mona, and our talented bench jeweler, Steph, collaborated with a lifelong customer, Alison, to bring new life to a family’s beloved treasures through our custom design journey—turning a diamond pendant and a pair of diamond earrings into three rings filled with love, legacy, and intention.
The Spark of an Idea
It all started when a lifelong customer, Alison, came to us with an idea for a transformation. She had three diamonds: a timeless diamond solitaire pendant and a classic pair of diamond studs. These weren’t just jewelry items—they were family heirlooms, pieces worn during life’s biggest moments and quietly kept close during the everyday ones.
The pieces originally belonged to Alison’s mother-in-law. She was very close to her mother-in-law and when she passed away, Alison received the beautiful matching earring and necklace set, chosen specifically for her by her husband’s mother. Now, she wanted to turn these treasures into something new, while maintaining that love and legacy.
We knew immediately this was more than a design consultation. It was a trust, a memory, and a gift for the future.
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The Design Process: Blending Emotion with Craft
The process began with a heartfelt conversation. Mona, beloved for her patience, empathy, and creativity by our customers and team, came up with the idea herself (yes, Mona, we're here to brag on your behalf 😊). Mona sketched it using a plain old pencil and piece of paper.
Alison absolutely loved the idea. She didn’t have any stackable ring sets, AND she felt it would provide the bold and unique look that she likes. Our bench jeweler, Steph, gave her professional opinion and recommended some bands that would work, and be a solid backdrop for the stunning diamond designs of the earrings and pendant.
Steph, a true artisan with years of experience, took these sketches and carefully dismantled the original pieces, preserving the integrity of the stones. Each diamond was cleaned, inspected, and lovingly reset. The process wasn’t rushed. We understand that when you're working with heirlooms, every cut and solder must be done with precision—and heart.
From Old to New: A Legacy Reimagined
There’s always a special kind of excitement when the final pieces are ready. When Alison came in to pick up the rings, we were so proud to show her the finished pieces—three stunning diamond rings, clearly part of the same family story.
All of the parts of the process are fun for us - learning our customers' stories, the initial inspiration, the design process, watching Steph do her work at the bench, polishing up the brand new versions of these beloved diamonds - but seeing the reaction of the customer when the pieces are finally revealed to them? That’s what it’s all about. These are the moments we treasure most at Vanscoy, Maurer & Bash.
Why Custom Matters
Custom jewelry is more than a design process—it’s a collaboration between memory and artistry. It's patience, empathy, storytelling, and human connection. Whether you’re creating something entirely new or reimagining heirlooms like this family did, we treat every project and conversation with care, respect, and genuine passion. We know we’re not just making jewelry—we’re helping preserve legacies.
Our Lancaster community is filled with families, traditions, and deep roots. It’s our honor to be part of that by crafting pieces that celebrate both the past and the future.
If you have jewelry tucked away in a drawer, waiting for new life, we’d love to hear your story. Let us help you reimagine it into something that will continue to shine for generations.
With heart,
The Vanscoy, Maurer & Bash Diamond Jewelers Team
