How Interlude Antiques Is Helping Antique Jewelry Find New Life
How Interlude Antiques Is Helping Antique Jewelry Find New Life
By Penelope Sandlin — February 16, 2026
It is often the small, forgotten pieces that carry the most meaning. Antique jewelry that is laid to rest in forgotten drawers and boxes has a way of gaining a new type of charm when the right person brings it back to life. Gretchen Pettis is the owner of Interlude Antiques, a Louisiana-based antique jewelry business. For her, bringing jewelry back to life is where the magic happens. When history, personal identity, and modern style combine, even the smallest bracelet or brooch can tell a whole new story.
In recent years, antique pieces like sweetheart bracelets from the World Wars, Victorian buckle bracelets, antique gold-filled bangles, and a variety of fobs and lockets have made a resurgence throughout the younger generations. Sweetheart bracelets, in particular, are trending in many areas, including Oxford and Memphis. These pieces are not only trending for their charming look, but also for the unique individuality that each one holds. They are all slightly different, and they have a rich history that adds to their charm. When you own one of these pieces, you not only own a beautiful accessory, but also a little piece of history. Pettis notes that that is part of the beauty of these pieces; they write their story, pause, and then are brought back into the world to write a new one.
Pettis sees the pause, or period of rest, as a significant part of the transformation of antique jewelry. In fact, the name of her company, Interlude Antiques, comes from this exact idea.
“The pieces rest with me,” Pettis said, “and then they’re off to the next chapter.”
This interlude allows each piece to retain its character while awaiting a wearer who will merge it with their own style. It is this marriage of old and new that gives antique jewelry its appeal. She described it like a Louisiana gumbo: everyone starts with the same base ingredients, but each person’s interpretation is unique to them. A brooch that once sat at one person's collar can now live on the cuff of someone else’s wide-leg jeans, marrying multiple eras and personalities to create something that is both classic and novel.
Pettis focuses on bracelets, fobs, and lockets of many shapes and sizes, which she describes as “the little things that are forgotten.” Sweetheart bracelets, for instance, are engraved with initials that once belonged to the recipients. Pettis encourages wearers to assign their own personal meanings to them, explaining that this can be done by finding meaningful words or phrases from one’s personal life that correspond with the initials. Additionally, she mentioned unique ways that she utilizes these small forgotten pieces. Whether it is adding fobs and lockets to a charm necklace or tying them into a wedding bouquet for a sentimental touch, she ensures that no piece goes to waste. These small gestures illustrate the nature of revival: what once had one life now can take on another.
Pettis also finds inspiration by observing younger generations. Her daughter and her friends, who live in New York, D.C., and Tennessee, are drawn to antique pieces despite their different backgrounds. They understand the value of repurposing by taking what has rested and making it their own. Watching her daughter discover and embrace these treasures made Pettis realize that jewelry, like fashion, can connect multiple generations.
Ultimately, what makes antique jewelry so remarkable is its quality and timelessness. It is a marriage between the past and the present. The small pieces, once overlooked, become popular trends with younger generations, embodying the beauty of reinvention and personal expression.
In the hands of someone who appreciates their history and understands how to incorporate them into their own style, these pieces achieve something truly special. To Pettis, her joy for what she does comes from seeing these small, forgotten pieces find their next life in new hands after their period of rest.
Check out Interlude Antiques at interludeantiques.com and follow the brand’s journey on Instagram @interludeantiques.
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All photos belong to Gretchen Pettis and Interlude Antiques.