Heirlooms are such a tangible piece of your family’s devotion and history. To be the recipient of such priceless treasures that serve as a symbol of love from your ancestors is an honor. Even though we cherish these meaningful objects and guard them, things happen and they get damaged. They might have been put in a dresser drawer or an old jewelry box. Maybe a child’s hands have held them and they were a little bit rough with the heirloom. Have you ever had that happen to you?
Maybe your great-grandmother left a pendant that was her mothers to your grandmother. Your grandmother left the pendant to you. You are now the fifth generation on this precious heirloom. This artisan pendant was handmade by your great-great-grandfather; he was a jeweler. There is a special message engraved on the back that you hold dear to your heart. The pendant was given as a promise of marriage. It is such a beautiful piece, and it means so much to you and your family.
The other day you were going to wear it to a special night out and to your surprise, there was a kink in the chain. There is a kink right next to the clasp. It looks like it is about to snap in two.
That was such a disappointing and unexpected find. You were worried about losing the pendant, so you decided not to wear it. The problem is you are getting ready to go on vacation next week, and you really wanted to wear the necklace. So now what are you going to do? It is not like you can just put this piece of history on just any chain.
Your schedule is jammed packed before you leave and you do not really know where to buy a quality gold-filled chain on such short notice. You know for sure you want a gold-filled and not a gold plated chain. The reason for this is because gold filled chains have a much thicker layer of gold, and you need a long-lasting chain for this heirloom. So you put it on your to-do list and head for your evening out.
The Right Time to Pass on Your Heirloom
Preserving and protecting heirlooms so that we can pass them on is an important part of linking our family from the past, the present, and the future. Help keep the heritage alive. You may wonder when the best time to pass on those priceless heirlooms to the future generation. Here are some suggestions as to when to give those special family treasures.
- Coming of Age Celebrations
- Marriage Celebrations
- Birth of a Child
- Significant Anniversaries
- Milestone Graduations
These are just a few of the important times of life that are definitely appropriate to pass on the family jewels. There are maybe even more very special times in your family’s life that you can use to pass on the family treasures. The most important thing is to think ahead and plan these extraordinary events.
Starting a Timeless Heirloom in Your Family
Say your family does not have an heirloom that is passed down through the generations but you want to start one. What are some good choices of jewelry to start the heirloom tradition? Here are some excellent suggestions for heirloom-worthy pieces.
- Timeless style with inscriptions
- Memorable pieces from a family trip
- Pearls, diamonds, and platinum
- Broaches
- Pendants
- Rings with diamonds and gemstones
- Earrings
Make sure that the piece is of a solid build so it can stand the test of time. You want to ensure that generation after generation can wear the timeless piece of jewelry, and it just does not sit in a safety deposit box or a jewelry box. Wearing it is what creates the emotional family attachment to the heirloom.
Every family should have a tangible heritage — a symbol of love, respect and loyalty from the past generations to the future generation. Never forget your family. Make sure to take care of the heirlooms you already have and choose classic pieces of jewelry for the future generations.
