From Pin to Pendant: Missy’s Custom West Point Heirloom

“It means a lot to me, but I wouldn’t wear that.”
— Missy Bowra

That is how Missy described the original piece: meaningful, sentimental, and tied to her father’s story, but not something she could see herself wearing as it was.

The pin originally belonged to her father, who served in the Army and attended West Point. This year marks the 80th anniversary of his West Point graduation in 1946, making the piece even more special. It was a piece of family history, but Missy wanted to find a way to honor it in a form that felt elegant, personal, and true to her style.

That is where custom jewelry comes in.

Inspired by some of the custom pieces that had come into the store lately, Missy began imagining what the pin could become. She was especially drawn to two Roberto Coin pieces: a medallion charm with mother-of-pearl in 18K yellow gold, and another mother-of-pearl design with diamond details. She loved the idea of something classic and luminous, but still substantial enough to carry the history of the original piece.

The original pin was actually made of two separate pieces connected by a small chain. Once Missy realized both could be used together, the design started to click. The front of the pendant features the West Point pin set over glowing mother-of-pearl, framed in warm yellow gold with a rope-style edge. The second piece was worked into the chain as a small side detail, keeping the original connection intact in a fresh, wearable way.

Our team member Kayley helped bring the vision to life by sketching and painting the custom design for Missy. That illustration became part of the process, helping Missy see how her father’s pin could be transformed into something she would not only treasure, but actually wear.

Even the back of the pendant was thoughtfully finished, with a gold sunburst design over the mother-of-pearl. It is one of those details that makes a custom piece feel complete from every angle.

The result is a pendant that honors Missy’s father’s legacy while giving the original pin a new life. It is memorabilia, but made wearable. Sentimental, but elegant. Personal, but beautifully designed.

As Missy put it, when it comes to custom jewelry, if you are going to wear it and love it, it is worth creating something you truly want. And in this case, she gave us something beautiful to work with.

Have a meaningful piece tucked away that you never wear?
Our team would love to help you imagine what it could become. From heirloom redesigns to custom pendants, rings, and one-of-a-kind pieces, Hauser’s Jewelers can help you create jewelry that honors your story and fits your life today.

Visit us in Williamsburg or Newport News, or contact us to begin your custom jewelry consultation.