Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Grandma's Jewels

I have a Grandma who is very generous. She also has the most gorgeous, timeless style, and married a man many years ago whose taste in jewelry was matched by few (he passed on this gene to my Dad, much to the happiness of my Mom and me!). Together they traveled the world and they often came home with something exquisite, a precious souvenir for my Grandma, who is never without jewelry. As a result, so many of her pieces come from foreign lands, but she does also have some that were handed down to her from her own mother, or were gifts for special anniversaries or holidays. Her collection is spectacular and over the years she has passed on some of her pieces to me.


This ring my grandparents got on a trip to Japan in 1961. It's made of rose gold and pearls and I think it's just stunning. I remember admiring it on my grandma's hand several years ago, and she gave it to me that Christmas, I think (or maybe it was a graduation gift) to have as my own. It's a true "statement" ring!


This braided bracelet was the first Valentine's Day gift my Grandpa ever gave to my Grandma. It was in 1945, three years before they were married, and she's told me that she wore it constantly. It's so special to me. Without their love, my Dad wouldn't be here today, my brothers and I wouldn't be here. What a powerful reminder.


This opal necklace is one of my favorites--I wear it all the time. The opal belonged to my Great-Grandmother Maddox (Maddox is my given middle name). When my Grandma gave it to me, it was on a longer, heavier gold chain, which I exchanged for this delicate, short gold chain. It sits right at my collarbone and I love how petite and simple it is.


My Grandma gave me this locket years and years ago, and being the little "mother" that I was, I filled it with a picture of my baby brother. My Grandma didn't remember the exact story on it but I vaguely remember my Dad telling me it was from their trip to Hawaii. A sweet quirk of this locket is that it opens so that the person wearing the necklace can look down and see it, instead of the traditional design which is meant for showing off the picture to others.


This strand of pink beads was first given to my Mom, then my Mom passed it to me. My Grandparents got it on a trip to Greece and my Grandma says she fell in love with it because she "always liked pink!" I love adding color to my outfits primarily through jewelry and other accessories while keeping my clothing mostly neutral, so this is perfect for me! It's gorgeous against a simple black or white top.


Heirloom jewels, with their histories and stories and memories, are about as special a gift as you can give. Thanks for letting me share these with you. And thank you, Grandma, for these priceless beauties.









p.s. Have you entered my Favorite Things Giveaway? I'll be picking the winner this Friday morning, so make sure you leave a comment on this post before then!




18 comments:

  1. What beautiful pieces, and all the more special because of the history behind them!

    I have pearl stud earrings from my grandmother (a 16th birthday gift) and a strand of her pearls to match (a college graduation gift), and I treasure them both. They were given to me before I ever had the last name "Pearl"--and ever since I got married, I try to wear mostly pearl jewelry. So I'm thrilled to own them, for many reasons.

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  2. Oh, that's really sweet. You're SO blessed to share a last name with such a gorgeous jewel! I also got pearl studs for my 16th birthday, and a strand of Japanese pearls for my 21st (both from my parents). Have you ever seen colored pearls/do you have any? I believe they're freshwater pearls and they're lovely and so different. I have a bracelet of purple, oblong freshwater pearls and a necklace of brown pearls.

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  3. I do have some colored faux pearls (gold, black), and some freshwater ones that are (pinkish). I actually love the colored ones and would like to have more. :)

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  4. What gorgeous pieces! I love the sentimentality of heirlooms although I don't have many that have been passed on to me. I hope to build my own jewelry collection to one day pass down to my children and great-grandchildren.

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  5. That's a great idea. In fact, I hinted to my husband this morning that jewelry is always a good gift to give me if he's ever stumped, because it can be enjoyed and loved for generations! :)

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  6. You'll have to drop some hints to your all-star gift-givers :)

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  7. Wow...these pieces are absolutely stunning:) That ring is amazing...and I LOVE that you still have the letter from 1945...how special! love Katie
    www.hopeengaged.blogspot.com

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  8. Thank you! That note isn't actually the real Valentine's Day note from 1945...it's a note from my Grandma to me explaining the history of the piece. But still special! You're right! :)

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  9. Its so fun that you have these keepsakes to cherish! I have a few pieces as well my grandmother gave me and I keep them in a little jewelry box. Afraid to wear them because they mean so much to me! :)

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  10. How sweet! I know how you feel--I don't think I've ever worn the rose gold/pearl ring out of the house...my Grandma, on the other hand, would have totally whipped it out for a backyard barbecue! :)

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  11. Kate - beautiful Jewelry! And you're so lucky to have had these experiences with your grandmother. I love heirlooms - my mother has passed some things along to me, so I'll have to keep it going :).

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  12. Thanks Ange :) I am lucky, as are you (your mom has phenomenal taste!). Your children will be very blessed to inherit some of her pieces.

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  13. wow she has quite a collection! I always buy jewerly from places i travel because every time i wear it, it reminds me of the place where i went to. :)

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  14. Thanks Pati! Such a neat idea to buy jewelry when traveling. We like to do that too. You must have some really special pieces :)

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  15. These are all so beautiful. That really is special to inherit such pieces, and it's even better to know the stories behind them!

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  16. Oh how lovely - and how wonderful to know the stories behind each piece!

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  17. Thanks Sarah! They're so special to me :)

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  18. I loved chatting with my Grandma about them the other day and learning more details on the story behind each one!

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