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When I and my brother and sister were little, my great grandmother would send us the same Christmas gift every year. She’d send my brother twenty or thirty nearly priceless pre-Civil War silver dollars, and she’d give my sister and I exactly one dirty, torn dollar bill and a piece of broken costume jewelry she’d obviously dug out of the bottom of her jewelry box.
I have to add here that my brother WAS named after her husband. My brother is ALSO an only son of an only son of an only son, so he is carrying on the family name.
Did I ever mention that my maiden name is Smith? Yes, my brother, bless his heart, was/is the last Smith.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve teased him about that.
Anyway, back to my great grandmother and her unequal gift giving. You’d think I would have been disappointed by such inequality, but I wasn’t. My brother could never take any of his dollars to the store to spend and the jewelry, while broken, was still shiny.
When you’re a kid, shiny will cover a lot of ills.
In fact, I still have those broken pieces of jewelry.
A friend of mine recently went through her grandmother’s treasure trove of sparkly costume jewelry and I was amazed — there were some wonderful pieces in there. Gorgeous pieces. They made me think of my broken pieces of jewelry and I had to smile . . . you know, whether it’s wearable or not, there’s something decadent and shiny about old costume jewelry.
I love the stuff, even the broken stuff.
Have you ever been given or inherited any jewelry, real or costume? What favorite pieces of jewelry do you wear every day? Do you have some jewelry that you hope to pass on to your kids? And aren’t you proud of my brother for being ‘the last Smith?’ I think I need to call him today and remind him of that.
80 Comments on “Bling and not-so-bling, that is the question.”
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My late husband gave me some beautiful jewelry that we had to sell to pay the mortgage during some not so good times. Now I only wear a simple gold necklace with four small diamonds set in a triangular pattern and my two pair of gold hoops. So far we don’t have anyone in the family who represents the end of the line.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 9:33 am.
DBrown, so sorry you had to give up your jewelry, but it sounds like what you have now is quite lovely. Btw, I read the other day that men find hoop earrings very sexy, so you’re set.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:32 am.
BTW, my necklace will go to Leia.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:06 pm.
And I bet she wears it with pride!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:14 pm.
My mum inherited my grandmother’s Russian Orthodox Cross, her ruby earrings and opal earrings. When she and dad die I would like these three things along with some photos out of the photo album, the christening dresses and Nan Nan’s really heavy blanket that she crocheted. My sister can have the rest. I did have a nice pile of costume jewellery at one stage but I got rid of most of it because it just got annoying after a while. Besides, I am not a big jewellery wearer. At most I wear three pieces of jewellery, my chain with a high Celtic cross and one half of a heart pendant (Gamer Dude wears the other half and oddly enough when he had his cross on his chain the cross and his half of the heart pendant matched while mine match), my cat earrings that I have been wearing pretty much continuously for 4 years and a pair of sterling silver studs that I was given not long after my 16th birthday by my then boyfriend, Really Bad Poet. I do wear a watch as well but I consider that to be a part of me since I am totally OCD about being on time if not early to anywhere.
I was given for my 21st a sterling silver padlock bracelet by friends of the family whom I consider to be second parents (his wife died 7 years ago this year), but it went missing on one of my moves. I probably really should price one to replace it and get a decent jewellery box to store it in. Gamer Dude did make mention last week that he had been thinking quite seriously about buying a ring and asking a certain question which would mean that I would have to be careful and have my cat shaped pewter ring holder by the kitchen sink for when I do the dishes since you just never know how good the claws are on rings these days.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 9:37 am.
Oh and I am the end of the line within my immediate family since out of my sister and I, I am the only unmarried one. I consider it to be all good because Gamer Dude has been worth waiting for.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 9:41 am.
Kelly, those sound like lovely pieces! I love colored stones – sapphires and rubies, especially. I frequently take my rings off when I’m working, and then forget to put them back on, much to Hot Cop’s chagrin. It would help to have a ring holder. That’s a great idea!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:35 am.
I thought so too. I got it when I wasn’t wearing rings but collecting pewter cat stuff and I saw it in an Avon catalog and thought to myself “I must get!” I may just go look on eBay to see if they have any pewter cat things, I KNOW that they have vampire rubber duckies on there! *g*
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:09 pm.
I have a vampire rubber ducky AND a pirate one, too. My kiddos love them.
I’ll look for the ring holder. Thank you!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:15 pm.
I have some of my grandmother’s brooches, big and sparkly and cool. I also have one of a pair of earrings made from butterfly wings, a scene of a desert with a cactus and mountain and sy. I had it made into a necklace.
I like unique pieces like that. I wear bracelets and earring most days, and have a lot of both.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:03 am.
Barbara, ohhhhh, made from butterfly wings? How beautiful! I need to see those, I love sparkly things. I must have 40 pairs of earrings and it’s still not enough.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:38 am.
When my mother’s great aunt died, I was given her wedding ring. She had no children of her own, and I used to always visit her with my Grandma. My Grandma would go shopping and I would sit and play cards with her. I am not sure who made the decision, but they wanted me to have her wedding ring. I keep it locked away in my lockbox. I don’t think I could ever wear it because she had the smallest fingers, it doesn’t even go on my pinky.
The only pieces of jewelry that I wear all the time are my wedding rings and my family ring. I have a jewelry box full, but unless I am going somewhere that invovles getting dressed up I never wear it.
I haven’t put much thought into what I will pass along. Although, my oldest daughter always asks if she can have my diamond studs, but she doesn’t want to wait, she wants them now.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:06 am.
Amy, I had to laugh about your daughter not wanting to wait! How funny! But hey, she may be onto something there because if she does wait, they may make her sad. I have some of my sister’s jewelry and, while it’s certainly beautiful, it makes me sad to look at it, so I keep it out of sight.
What’s your ‘family ring’ look like?
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:41 am.
My family ring is a think gold band with heart shaped birth stones. I have 4, one for each of my children in the middle and then the gems for my husband and I are on each end. Then there is a triangle of diamonds on each end, as well. My children’s names are engraved on the inside of the band.
My husband gave it to me as a gift after we had our first child. When the second one was born it was completed.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:33 pm.
Wow. Amy, that sounds LOVELY. How sweet of your DH!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:15 pm.
I’ve received some beautiful jewelry over the years, but nothing inherited or antique. Now all my good jewelry sits in my box and I wear mostly costume. I love sparkly stuff and I wear a lot of Kirk’s Folly for that reason – it’s fun and whimsical.
My favorite piece that I have been wearing since I got it on Christmas (it has not come off once) is my silver beach tag necklace. In Jersey there are only 2 beaches that are free, the rest you have to pay to get on. A local gallery makes these replica tags with the town and zip code engraved in it. For every one sold, proceeds go to the Restore the Shore fund for Superstorm Sandy victims. Perfect piece for this Jersey girl to wear everyday.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:09 am.
Suzy, I love the beach tag jewelry idea! What a great way to commemorate a special time and place. I love personal pieces like that.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:42 am.
My mom had the diamond from my dad’s Masonic ring reset for a necklace. My niece was about 2 and on Grandma’s lap.. ‘OHHH pretty…. can I have that when i grow up?’ Oh yeah, Mom finally gave it to her 2 years ago — guess 34 was old enough…
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:28 am.
Cate, lol! Sounds like someone couldn’t say ‘no’ and, well, why not let her have it early?
My uncle is a Mason and he has some lovely rings. I had no idea how many until two years ago when he brought them out. Gorgeous stuff!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:17 pm.
yup!
my mom had a collar necklace that dad bought her during a trip to Paris. it is costume jewelry at it sparkly shiney best! I sent you a pic of it once, Karen.
when I was a little girl, I used to wear it in my hair as a crown while playing dress up.
I’ve had it in my possession since I was 24 -baby of the family has it’s privileges plus all my 4 sisters got the real diamond stuff.
I don’t wear it often but I feel all bling’d out when i do.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:29 am.
Thanks, Kathy! I’ll go and check it out.
You made me smile when you said you wore it in your hair when you were little. Ah, the joys of childhood.
Can’t wait to see it!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:18 pm.
I have an aunt that would let me select a piece of jewelry from her collection every time I came to visit. Unfortunately, I was young and did not take very good care of my jewelry and managed to lose most of it over the years.
I do not change my jewelry or accessories from day to day. I wear my wedding rings (one from my husband and one from his grandparents) on a necklace since I do not want to resize them… I have a fear it will change our luck in love:) I do wear a pair of rings that are worn together, and they are very special to me. My sister-in-law gave me two silver rings with the names of everyone in my family. With a family of eight, I never thought you could squeeze all of our names onto jewelry. My 16 year old daughter said she wants the rings when I die. I said, “Thanks Jade.”
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:34 am.
Crystal, you should see the beaten up jewelry my great grandmother gave us — missing stones, yellowed paste ‘diamonds,’ broken pins, bent or missing clasps. But I thought it was a treasure and so it became one.
That’s so cool that you have your DH’s grandparent’s ring. What a lovely piece of family history!
Lol about your daughter wanting the rings. Hey, if you never ask . . .
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:20 pm.
I cherish the earrings my Grandmother Rapheala DiFalco gave me that she bought in Italy, I also hold dearly to my heart another set of earrings which my father bought at the hospital gift store where he was staying for rehabilitation after his second stroke. He happened to be there on my birthday and still wanted to give me something special. The nurses said they wheeled him down to the gift shoppe before I visited him that day. I couldn’t hide the tears of love that welled up in my eyes. Him being so sick but still thinking of me.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:35 am.
Denise, what precious memories your jewelry holds! The story about your dad made me teary-eyed. What a sweetheart!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:22 pm.
My dad gave me a pair of diamond stud earrings that I will pass down to my niece when she is old enough for them. She always comments on them when I wear them and I always tell her they will hers someday. My Mom has jewelry already picked out for family members for when she’s not here but there’s an ankle bracelet with her nickname on it that I’ve told her I want. It’s the only thing I want that belongs to her.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:58 am.
Aida, I have a special place in my heart for ankle bracelets. I don’t know why, but I think they’re exotic and beautiful. What a treasure!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:24 pm.
I inherited some fabulous costume jewelry from my mother’s mother. And it’s gone. I could weep. I still dream I still have it and then have to shake myself back into the reality where it’s gone.
Sob.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:14 am.
Claudia, oh, I’m so sorry! That’s sad. Well, since it’s gone, then you must do your duty to your daughter and stock up on new jewelry so that you have something special to pass on to her.
In fact, I think you should start today. Right now. On your mark, get set, SHOP! (Oh, how I wish I lived close. That sounds like a great way to spend the day.)
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:31 pm.
I work for an airline and wear the usual uniform. So to spice things up, I indulge myself with sparkly earrings in as many complementary colors as I can find. I actually like our uniform, but the earrings give me a creative outlet. And I do like sparkle. As far as inherited jewelry, my mother passed on the string of pearls my dad bought her for their first Christmas. I cherish them.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:44 am.
LauraAnn, good for you for sparkling things up! Jewelry can really make a statement, too, as it’s very personal.
I love a good strand of pearls. I gave my daughter a string on her 16th birthday and also the strand I wore at my wedding. They’re lovely heirlooms and can be worn with anything.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:36 pm.
I inherited my father’s mother’s engagement ring. I was told right after she died that she had left me a ring; since I was named after her I thought that it was her initial M ring. I was totally surprised to find out that it was her engagement ring. It’s really not my style, so I haven’t worn it. She was a tough lady but she had a really good heart. I guess she wanted me to have it because I didn’t get an engagement ring when I got married. Since I don’t have any children, it’s going to be tough to decide which of my 3 nieces will get it someday.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:51 am.
Maria, what a nice gesture! If it’s not your style, maybe you can have the stone reset into something that is and just keep the ring portion for someone else? I know someone who did that with their grandmother’s ring and it looks gorgeous now.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:45 pm.
Just this past Christmas my parents gave me both of my grandmothers engagement and wedding rings. One day I will pass them down to one of my nieces. I was also given some of their costume jewelry. I love looking at it and trying to see in my head what life was like in the days that they were wearing it. Now that I am not out playing in the dirt every day I wear two rings. One I bought in Mexico, the other a Claddagh ring. Other than earrings once in a while that’s it. Of course, if I had butterfly wing earrings like Miss Barbara….
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:51 am.
Kelly, I’ve always wanted a Claddagh ring! Those are simply beautiful.
And I’m with you, if I had butterfly earrings like Miss Barbara … sigh.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:46 pm.
Whelp… my grandmother had a COLLECTION of jewelry. Almost all costume and now it is all mine. My favorite thing about all of it is the memory of it. When I would visit, she and I would pull out the drawers in her jewelry box and she would let me try them all on and I would pretend to be a princess or whatever with all sorts of sparkly things draped all over me. I am so happy that I have the pieces as they are a treasured reminder of my grandmother.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:59 am.
That’s so cool that you were allowed to play with it when you were young. My mother has a jewelry box but there’s very little in it, so there’s not a lot of playing going on. It does make me want to leave some good pieces to my kiddos, though. Now, to buy those pieces … ah, poor me!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:47 pm.
That’s a sweet story, Sheridan.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
I wear my wide wedding band every day. I have a diamond necklace that I never take off unless I’m having a medical test. The diamond belonged to my grandmother. I have lots of good and costume jewelry that I wear on a daily basis. My great aunt left me her diamond wedding rings. She had no children. I plan to leave my jewelry to my grandchildren. They will become the family heirlooms along with my g-g-grandmother’s china.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:15 pm.
Sandi, oh wow, g-g-grandmother’s china! How cool is that? I am saving my grandmother’s china for my daughter for when she gets married. I’m not a china sort of lass, but she is, and she’ll use it all of the time.
It sounds like you’re leaving quite a treasure to your grandkids!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:48 pm.
My Dad was in WWII and when he was retg on the ship, they had jewelry the guy could buy and take home – how that came about I don’t know. But by the time he got to look, there wasnt much left – what was left was an opal ring, a garnet ring and a topaz ring that he bought and some other items that he bought as well as pearls which much later I threw out the window of the car.
Talk about coincidence – now remember my sister and I werent born yet – Both my sister and I were born in Oct – opal b’stone, my son born in July – ruby (garnet is ruby colored) and my daughter born in Nov – topaz.
My daughter got the topaz ring the day of her wedding and my sister took the ruby, I being the oldest got the opal one – she said she didnt care – really she did. LOL.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:25 pm.
Patoct, what an assortment of jewels! I love opals, btw. They fascinate me and I love the fire in them, so I think you got the best deal there.
I literally winced when you said you’d thrown the pearls out of the window of the car. Oh no!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:50 pm.
Guys I meant to say could buy….
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:25 pm.
I got ya!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:51 pm.
I hate to break it to your brother but I have two Smith’s of my own who can, if your brother falters, carry on the family name. Well maybe not because my son’s daughters carry their mother’s name, Skaggs, because there were no sons to carry it on. My son is even thinking of changing his name to hers but he hasn’t so far. My other son hasn’t graced me with Nanahood yet, but I keep hoping.
I will get my dad’s mothers ruby ring from mom but I am okay with waiting. I love silver jewelry even more than gold. Not the western style but the kind with precious and semi-precious stones, mostly rings. I used to have a large collection of diamond, ruby, and emerald jewelry until I got my home invaded and someone else got my never worn gold filigree peacock earrings with ruby teardrops for the eye of the feathers. It one a one of a kind pair and cost my husband $3000. the insurance paid for them, but I WANTED to wear them! After that I haven’t paid more than $100 for any piece of jewelry. All of my bling will go to my g-girls because they inherited their Nana’s love of shiny.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:27 pm.
eviqn, my brother will be relieved. Oh, the pressure he’s carried all of these years!
I’m a silver person myself. Just love the purity of it. I’m so sorry to hear about the house break-in! How sad for you! It’s very personal when that happens and, like you said, it’s not about the money, but the memories.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:53 pm.
I inherited some really nice costume jewelry from my mother-in-law. Rhinestone sets that are very blingy. I once made a half-hearted attempt to find out if they are worth anything, since they are vintage from pre WWII, I think. One set is all blue rhinestones and I love it. But I doubt I will ever wear it. Other pieces were pearl strands, a cameo (a nice one!)and a small diamond pendant.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:39 pm.
Madeline, ohhh, blue rhinestones — lovely! I have a ton of blingy stuff like that which will never leave my house, but I’ve been known to put it on while writing. It reminds me to play and enjoy myself.
Btw, I bought a cameo from the Portobello Road market in London for 10 pounds and an expert has since confirmed that it is from the late 18th to early 19th century. I’m giving that to my daughter one day. She loves historical objects.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:55 pm.
The last Smith. Love it.
I have a few pieces of costume jewelry from IV’s grandmothe, which I cherish but don’t wear. My mother has started handing over her good stuff if I compliment it.
Me-”That’s nice.
Mom-Here, take it.”
I keep reminding her I’m an only child and she doesn’t have to give it to me now.
The only jewelry I wear every day and night, never take them out, are the hoops in the top two holes of my pierced ears. That way I’m always jeweled without even trying.
I have my grandmother’s and my mother’s original wedding rings. I’m not sure the boys are interested but they’re there if they are.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:50 pm.
Lori, according to my great grandmother, the last and ONLY Smith left in the world. My poor brother!
I have a friend who had her grandmother’s diamonds reset and they’re simply beautiful. Apparently, many older diamonds are of better quality than what’s on the market nowadays. Not always, but sometimes.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:57 pm.
My mom gave me a few pieces of Black Hills Gold necklaces.
Dad gave me mom’s jewelry box. About a year later, I took it to my brother’s house and let my niece, nephew and brother pick out anything they wanted. The box sits in my china hutch and I do not wear anything.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:05 pm.
Tina, what a fun treasure to have, though! I love jewelry boxes. I only have one, but I could easily be persuaded to increase that number.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:57 pm.
I have a few things from my dh’s grandmother that I really like. My mom must have the stuff that was her mother’s. No idea about paternal grandmother’s things.
The best item handed down to me was the diamonds for my engagement ring. Dh’s grandmother (he was the acknowledged favorite and deservedly so) took her engagement ring off her hand and gave it to us when we became engaged. We reset the stones for my ring and gave to her a pretty band with the date of our wedding engraved inside.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:19 pm.
Christie, how lovely to give her a return gift! That’s so thoughtful. And I bet it’s something she’ll cherish forever, too.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:14 pm.
in my family, we all have something that we have inherited and will inherit – I have gotten costume and real jewelry. The costume pieces can be repaired or even used to create another piece – if you are invested in keeping them. I can’t say that I have a favorite – I have my great grandmothers engagement ring, her canary diamond, my great great aunt’s ring .. I am a favorite with my older family members and these pieces that I wear on special occasions are a way to have them with me in life. I also have put pieces aside for my children so that they would receive pieces from their mother (I look at it as an investment in them and their future children).
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:41 pm.
Carla, that’s so nice that you find occasions to wear your family jewels! My grandmother used to say ‘it’s good to get them out and dust them off.’
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 12:03 pm.
No, I haven’t! Years ago, my mother announced that when she departed earth, my oldest sister would get her diamonds, my second sister would get the silver service handed down for generations, and I would get her china. Not her wedding china, mind you. But just some china she took a shine to and bought.
Her china to the daughter who never cooks or entertains in quite that way. Which I said, because I was young and stupid and ungrateful. She said, okay. A couple of years go by, and I asked her what I was going to get. She gave that look of feigned surprise and said, nothing. I was going to leave you the china, but if you don’t want it…
Wow. Still miffed about it, LOL.
If my mom had departed this earth, I would be very sad that I had made that All About Me. But as she hasn’t, and has since then talked about getting rid of that (butt-ugly) china, it’s all good. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I get the golf clubs or something like that.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:46 pm.
Lol! Hey, better honest than stuck with ugly china. I got my grandmother’s china … It’s in a box in the attic. I just don’t ‘do’ china. The thing that I’ve inherited that’s meant the most to me are three chairs I got from the same grandmother. One’s from the early 1900s, one’s from the mid-1800s and one is from the early 1700s. Those, I love.
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 12:07 pm.
I do have some rather nice pieces my mother went ahead and gave me so I can enjoy them while I still have her in my life. I have the birthstone ring her mother gave her on her sixteenth birthday (61 years ago.) It is very precious to me as I know my grandmother had to work very hard to save the money for it. My Mom was one of nine children born to a Creek Indian mother and a mean drunk Cherokee father. They lived on sharecropper farms and my grandmother worked those farms with her children and very little help from my grandfather.
I also have the set of Wedgewood jewelry my Dad bought my Mom when we lived in England. He toured the Wedgewood factory and bought her a blue Wedgewood cameo necklace, ring and earrings. I wear them at least once at every RWA Nationals.
I bought Mom one of those tall jewelry hutches several Christmases ago. My Dad bought her a different ring every year they were married. Since my Dad died my brother has bought her necklaces to match those rings. She has a really beautiful collection of jewelry that will eventually go to my niece WHEN I decide she is mature enough to appreciate it.
I have some lovely costume jewelry and I collect cameos so I always have a little bling to wear when I go out. Because of the nature of my job I can’t wear jewelry at work.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:58 pm.
Louisa, what lovely stories your jewelry has! And that’s nice that you’re the keeper of your mother’s jewels so that you can be sure they are passed on when the time is right. I shudder to think what might have happened to some of my family’s keepsakes if they had been passed on at the wrong time.
Btw, I’ll have to show you the cameo I bought at the Portobello market in England. I had it appraised and its from the 1800s – a beautiful piece.
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 12:13 pm.
We have Animation Dude’s 2nd great-grandmother’s wedding gold wedding(and bible, too) that’s teeny tiny. From the pictures we seen she wasn’t close to 5 feet tall. She was born in Cornwall in the late 1850s, immigrated to the States in the late 1870s, and settled in LA County. Her house is still standing, but it’s in a very scary neighborhood. We, also, have a baby bracelet that my fil and Animation Dude thinks was my mil’s. I’m 100% certain that it’s older than that. I think it’s my Animation Dude’s grandma’s baby bracelet. The baby locket that we found in the box with the bracelet is definitely my mil’s.
I personally have and wear a necklace and bracelet that belonged to my great-grandmother. The gold vermeil is wearing down, but it still looks good with its domes of brown and clear (kind of yellowed) glass. The first time one of my friends saw me wearing it, she said, ‘Don’t tell me you made this, too,’ lol. I’ve 2 pairs of sterling silver earrings, a silver agate cuff, copper cuff, ss ring, and a matching gold vermeil heart locket and bracelet (both broken, but the locket is repairable, while the bracelet is not.) from my maternal grandmother. I’ve my mom’s hs class ring, baby bracelet that she had converted into a ring, and a peridot ring that my grandma gave my mom for her birthday. My mom, also, gave me a ring with a black intaglio Trojan (?) that she doesn’t know who it belonged to, but it fit my little fingers. There’s other jewelry that I know I’m forgetting because I seem to get all the old stuff. I don’t know who’s going to get my grandma’s engagment/wedding rings. I’m pretty sure neither one of my brothers will. Same story with my grandma’s teeny tiny watch with diamons. I have to ask my mom (I do know that they are in the safety deposit box, though.).
From my paternal grandmother’s button basket I found a really cool flower button that I made a mold of, and then I made a ring using the mold in fine silver. Recently, I changed the ring a little bit by adding a layer of 22kt gold on the flower. It’s one of my favorite rings. I used my other grandma’s heart locket to make a mold and added the piece to a green opal and prehnite bracelet.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:03 pm.
Janae, how lovely! All of it! Since you are a jeweler, you would have an entirely different -and richer – appreciation for heirloom jewelry. It’s so neat you were able to take molds of some pieces and use them in modern designs. That’s the ultimate compliment!
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 12:17 pm.
I have both real (not much) and costume jewelry (again not much) that I inherited from a grandmother and I never wear it. I do occasionally get it out and look at it, but it has no meaning to me since she never wore it either (at least while I was there). I try to keep that in mind and don’t buy jewelry because however shiny and colorful the stones are, I know I won’t wear. I admit thought, that I do stop, look and covet when I pass a jewelry store.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:12 pm.
Anne, a piece of jewelry has to really speak to me before I’ll wear it, but I still have some that I just like to look at. I have shoes I feel that way about, too. I have them, and love them, but don’t wear them.
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 2:30 pm.
I was the only daughter so I inherited all of Momma’s bling when she died. And she had lots of bling, both costume and real.
Momma was born during the Depression and her father died when she was seven years old, leaving the family in desperate financial straits. I think she tried to overcompensate for her childhood poverty by keeping QVC and HSN in business.
She had nine grandsons, no granddaughters, and I plan to let each of them select a ring and other pieces from her collection when they meet their significant others.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:48 pm.
Misty, what a generous way to hand on the family pieces that your mother treasured! My grandfather was a big QVC shopper, too. He loved the loose gemstones and bought hundreds of them, which my mother now has and will probably give to my niece some day. It sometimes makes me wish I was a jeweler!
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 2:35 pm.
Your post today touched me. You see when my Mother-in-law died I got all the leftover costume jewelry. My Sister-in-law got all the “good stuff” and I got the leftovers. Well in said leftovers were for me several treasures. I got several broaches/pins that I wear all the time and a couple of necklaces. I think of her every time I wear them…
My husband and son are the last of our line as well. Every generation only had one son who produced a male heir to pass on the family name. My son is the last as was his father. We thought it would die with my husband but then our son was born when I was almost 41. He’s awesome and I am SO proud of him. Today is his last swim meet of his high school career and he’s already shaved off 3 seconds from his best time in the 100 butterfly!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:38 pm.
Glittergirl, it sounds like you got the best jewelry from your mom. It’s lovely that you wear it and think of her, too. I bet she knows it and smiles when you do!
Congrats on your wonderful son! Enjoy the swim meet – kids’ sporting events are the best!
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 2:39 pm.
Yes, I have inherited jewelry. Mostly from my step-mother.
I have three ‘staple’ necklaces that I wear routinely. All three are necklaces that my husband bought me. The first I got for Christmas in 2008 when I was pregnant with my first son; it is a white gold chain with a single diamond pendant. My other two favourite necklaces are Celtic; one is a Scottish Thistle in the shape of a heart, and the other is a locket with Celtic symbols on it.
Otherwise, I wear my wedding ring, and my Claddagh ring on a daily basis. Oh, and I have a charm bracelet (the old-school chain kind, not the links or rope). I have charms from Las Vegas, Scotland, and London on it.
Yes, your brother should be proud to be the last Smith
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:40 pm.
I have a wonderful ring that my father designed and had made for my mother. I’m the ‘ours’ in their his, hers and ours story, since they each had children from prior marriages and then I came along. It is like the branches of a tree, and it had the birthstone of each child and grandchild. There were 10 stones when he made it. I eventually had to add January and November, so now all 12 are on it. I wear it on special holidays and it will go to my daughter when I leave this earth, so she can share it with her daughter.
I wear pretty simple jewelry. I like the vintage inspired pieces that are coming into popularity now, although I have had some for quite some time.
The last Smith–something to be proud of for sure!
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:27 pm.
My great-aunt had her original engagement and wedding diamonds (from the 30s) set into a cocktail ring when her husaband bought her a newer and bigger set, and when she died, she left it to my mother. Since my 3 sisters are all married and have diamond rings already (I was married but never got a diamond) she gave it to me. I put it away since I don’t like to wear rings but a year or so ago, my mother commented that I wasn’t wearing it. So now I do, for her.
What I like and wear every day is pierced earrings, especially sterling silver, and never the same pair two days in a row. I have been collecting for quite a while and I love hearts so I have enough pairs to wear a different style of hearts every day in February. I also have enough holiday earrings to wear a different pair every day in December. I have enough Celtic styles to cover the week of St. Patrick’s Day and one pair of Halloween earrings. I also love fish and sea-related items so I have fish, shells, dolphins, and manatees (for Florida). And, last but not least, I have several pairs that are complementary but the two earrings are not identical (such as one star and one moon or one flower and one watering can or a solid heart that was cut out of the larger heart that is just the outline). I have other unusual earrings but I think I’ve more than made my point (I’m not sure I realized exactly how many pairs of earrings I really have!).
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 9:57 pm.
Karen
I needed to read that blog after long week & long Friday.
My grandmother gave my sister & I dolls until we turned 18, seriously.
I’m divorced and have my wedding set that I plan to have made into something else. I love silver jewelry and rarely wear gold. I have a ring that I purchased in 2011 when my son turned 21. October’s birth stone is opal, & this ring is that with blue stones(boy). Stones are designed 4 flowers, x blue, with opals surrounding the x’s. I figured I deserved it for giving birth to that youngin. I love wearing any of my silver jewelry.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 10:25 pm.
When my dad’s aunt passed away many years ago she gave my mother an antique necklace. I loved that necklace and wished I could borrow it and fgorget to return it. Lo and behold, when I needed something borrowed for my wedding 30 years ago my mom gave me the necklace to wear. She told me to keep it as she knew it was more my style than hers. So whenever I wear it I think of my mom & my great aunt. This great aunt also used to give us silver dollar bills or $2 bills. My dad would buy them from us not telling us what they were really worth.
As my mom has gotten older she has been giving away pieces of her costume jewelry to the grandaughters. They each have their favorite pieces.
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 11:31 pm.
My Aunt was the one for costume jewellery. When she passed my Mother found drawers full of it. I was given a very long string of colored beads. Whenever I wear them I think of my Aunt & you would not believe how many compliments I am given.
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 3:38 am.
I have my moms old jewelry box and it has lots of costume jewelry in it. My 3 yr old granddaughter loves to go through it and clip those gawdy things to her ears.
I wear a necklace that belonged to my mom and I have only taken it off twice in 20 years. It’s a long story but to try to make it short….she had a heart attack and while my dad went to a neighbor to call for help, some “friends” of my brother decided to remove all her jewelry except for the necklace. We figured the diamond had twisted around so only the chain was showing and they didn’t bother with it. Nobody realized until we went to the funeral home and inquired about rings and watch. These same “friends” were no longer in the area as they all decided my dad didn’t need his van (or the gas cards) and borrowed it to drive cross country. Unless I absolutely have to take it off (surgery both times) it is permanent fixture around my neck.
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 3:47 am.
Don’t have any, we are not from a wealthy family
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:31 am.
My mother passed some of her late mothers costume jewelry to my sisters, cousin & I… and although most of it is not really to any of our taste, we all treasure it! I am creating a small shadow box with her picture and some pieces for my mother..
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 5:06 pm.
I went through jewelry boxes and passed some stuff to my granddaughter. My old stuff was pop beads, mood rings, peace signs etc. She loved them and they are all in style again.
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 5:47 pm.
I had a aunt who dearly loved big, chunky pieces of jewelry. After she died I received it all. Actually I did not wear a lot of it, but I kept the collection. My daughter went hogwild over it and wears pieces of my aunt’s jewelry daily. It is all in high fashion now.
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 1:51 am.
I inherited a lot of my paternal grandmother’s “junk” jewelry. Her father was a jeweler and certainly taught her the trade. Most of my “junk” rings are set with stones worth a fortune and are cast in sterling and 14k. I’ll never sell them and I get the joy of wearing huge cocktail rings set with tiny diamonds, sapphires and alexandrite. Yes there is also a nice collection of rhinestone brooches and shoe clips
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 2:55 pm.