Behind It?

Q: What is your favorite sentimental piece of jewelry and what is the story behind it? Just curious! Mine are all of the earrings that I got from Claires Boutique that my boyfriend bought for me (3 pairs for my bday and one for our 6 month anniv).

A: Come to think of it, probably 70% of my jewelry box is filled with sentimental attachments: - engagement ring (family heirloom from DF's mother's side) - Mother's ring with children's birthstones given to me by the children - Various pairs of dangly earrings the kids have made for me through the years for Mother's day - Newly favorite silver earrings and simple pearl bracelet that my DD12 just bought me for this past mother's day with her own money. I will save these forever because to me they represent the first time my DD really put thought and effort into a well-chosen gift that represents my tastes and wants, not hers (if you know what I mean!!!). She even considered how small my wrist is and found a bracelet that was the perfect size! - rosary beads from my grandmother - gold cross necklace my dad gave to me when I was a child (recently handed that down to my DD on her confirmation) - gold locket with tiny baby photos of my two kids (gift from my parents when DD#2 was born) - turquoise child-sized bracelet, with matching turquoise ring, that's a family heirloom and still fits me even though both are meant for a child - interesting ring with a large green turquoise-type stone that my mother gave to me. It's one of my favorite pieces and I wear it often. - interesting but hopelessly tarnished bracelet that is also a family heirloom and I found out a few years ago, when I tried to get the clasp fixed, is essentially worthless but I still like it and hope to restore it some day - silver charm bracelet filled with charms representing each state we visited when I was a child (my girls covet this, but I don't have the heart to lend it out to them) - birthstone ring given to me by my dad when I was a child - first set of real pearls, also given to me by my dad, upon my graduation - dangly marcasite earrings my girlfriend gave me for being her maid of honor; these are stunning earrings and the perfect option for formal occasions. My favorite "always a bridesmaid" gift ever! - a collection of brooches that I acquired during my early career, when brooches and suits were in style. I traveled a lot on that job, and every new place I visited, I would seek out a brooch to commemorate the trip. - a stash

of cheap jewelry I bought in the 80s, when earrings in particular were quite gaudy. I will probably never wear any of this again, but for some reason I can't bear to part with them. They are all jumbled together in a box on the bottom of my dresser drawer, and not in my jewelry box since I haven't worn any of them in decades. It's fun to take them out from time to time, and think how my tastes and style has developed over the years! The rest of my jewelry box is filled with the jewelry I normally wear on a daily basis and that I acquired on my own to go with my wardrobe. Some of it has mildly sentimental value but not in the same way as the above items.