For Jenifer Bellefleur Vogelmeier, jewelry has never been simply about gold, diamonds or gemstones. It is about the stories people carry with them—the memories they want to preserve, the milestones they want to celebrate and the loved ones they never want to forget. That belief is the foundation of New Gild Jewelers, where custom design is less about selecting a piece and more about creating something deeply personal.
Whether designing an engagement ring, reimagining a family heirloom or restoring a treasured piece, Vogelmeier, her co-owner Kelsey, and their team begin every project with one important step: listening. By understanding each client’s story, inspiration and vision, New Gild creates jewelry that reflects the moments and relationships that matter most.
“At New Gild, jewelry is more than something you wear—it’s a tangible expression of love, memory, celebration and identity,” Vogelmeier says. “Every piece is created with intention, whether it’s a custom engagement ring, a redesigned family heirloom or a treasured piece brought back to life through restoration. Our team believes jewelry should reflect the moments and people who shape us, and we craft meaningful pieces that link the past and the future.”
That philosophy sets New Gild apart from a traditional jewelry experience. Rather than choosing from a collection of mass-produced designs, clients become part of the creative process. Through conversations, sketches and thoughtful collaboration, ideas evolve into one-of-a-kind pieces that feel unmistakably their own.
“Every custom piece begins with a story,” Vogelmeier says. “The process starts by getting to know you—your inspiration, your memories, your milestones and what you hope your jewelry will represent.”
Throughout the design process, clients help refine every detail, from the overall style to the smallest finishing touches. Many projects also incorporate existing gemstones or precious metals from older jewelry, allowing meaningful materials to continue their journey in a new form.
“By the time your custom piece is finished, it has become more than jewelry,” Vogelmeier says. “It is deeply personal and represents our collaboration with you.”
Beyond custom design, New Gild’s gallery showcases finished pieces that highlight the artistry and craftsmanship of the team. Each creation offers a glimpse into the possibilities of what jewelry can become when imagination and intention come together.
“The gallery is our collection of possibilities,” Vogelmeier says. “Every piece reflects the artistry, imagination and artisanship of the New Gild team, and these pieces are an invitation to dream.”
Many designs begin with extraordinary gemstones that inspire the creative process. The team often builds original settings around unique stones, allowing each gem’s natural beauty and character to guide the final piece.
“Those pieces ultimately meet someone who shares that aesthetic,” Vogelmeier says, “and they go home—with love.”
For many clients, the most meaningful projects begin with jewelry they already own. Inherited rings, necklaces and bracelets often hold generations of memories, but they may no longer fit someone’s style or lifestyle. Instead of allowing those treasures to remain tucked away, New Gild helps transform them into pieces that can be enjoyed every day.
“Inherited jewelry often holds far more than gold and gemstones—it carries the fingerprints of generations, the memory of celebrations and the quiet presence of loved ones who came before us,” Vogelmeier says.
The goal is not to erase that history but to honor it while creating something new. By redesigning older pieces, New Gild allows clients to stay connected to the past while creating jewelry that feels authentic to who they are today.
“If those pieces don’t reflect your personal style today, we can thoughtfully transform them into designs you’ll wear and cherish now, allowing family history to live on in a way that feels authentic and personal to you,” Vogelmeier says. “It’s a journey of narrative from the past to you, and someday, to someone who loves and remembers you, too.”
That same approach applies to jewelry that has simply fallen out of step with someone’s current taste. Rather than leaving forgotten pieces hidden in a drawer, New Gild sees an opportunity to bring them back to life.
“Sometimes jewelry just isn’t pretty or functional to us anymore,” Vogelmeier says. “Rather than leaving those pieces hiding in a drawer, New Gild can reimagine them into something that feels alive again and suits who you are now.”
Inspiration for a custom piece can come from nearly anywhere—a photograph, a sketch, a family treasure or even a feeling someone hopes to capture. Vogelmeier encourages clients to bring whatever sparks their imagination.
“Inspiration can come from anywhere—a photograph from the internet, a little napkin drawing, a family heirloom or even a feeling you want to capture,” she says. “We’ll transform inspiration into an original piece that reflects your personality and the meaning you want your jewelry to hold.”
While diamonds remain a timeless choice, Vogelmeier also enjoys introducing clients to the many possibilities of colored gemstones. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies and aquamarines each offer their own unique beauty and history.
“There are so many gemstones in the world, and we love talking about them with our clients,” she says. “We help our clients select a gemstone that tells the story that’s in their heart.”
That storytelling becomes especially meaningful when creating engagement rings and wedding bands. Vogelmeier believes every couple’s relationship is unique, and their rings should reflect that individuality.
“Our couples don’t have cookie-cutter love stories, so why should their rings be big box?” she says. “Spoiler: they shouldn’t.”
For New Gild, jewelry is ultimately about celebrating connection—between people, memories and generations. “Well designed commitment jewelry celebrates the individual, the union and the sacredness of love itself,” Vogelmeier says. “Designing, crafting and giving these pieces are gestures that honor what has been made sacred by time and love.”
After years of helping clients mark life’s most meaningful moments, Vogelmeier believes the true purpose of New Gild goes beyond creating beautiful objects.
“Walking into New Gild feels like more than entering a jewelry store; it feels like stepping into a creative space,” she says. “Here, every conversation begins with listening, because every piece begins with a story.”
And while the team may appear to be making jewelry, Vogelmeier believes they are creating something much deeper. “While we may appear to be making jewelry,” she says, “our principal occupation is love.”
4300 Upton Ave. S | 612-402-0561 | newgild.com