Family traditions or stories regarding the giving and/ or receiving of jewelery

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#16
I have a 1.17, I, VS1 Transitional Cut diamond from my hubby's 94 yr old grandmother - it was her e-ring diamond from the 1920s. Hubby's grandma was married at 13/14 in an arranged marriage in Shanghai and was fortunate to be in a loving relationship. Her family was a family of goldsmiths and hubby's grandfather came from a family of diamond dealers.

When the communists took over China, the soldiers raided their house (took apart floor boards etc.) and took almost everything, however they were able to hide this ring safely along with a few other diamond and rare jade pieces. Years later, hubby's dad got a scholarship to study in the US and came over with a few pieces and most of these have remained in the US ever since.

They've kept these in the US since the early 80s and this e-ring diamond was given to me as a wedding gift. I'll one day give it to my son or daughter when he/she gets married...or if they want to use it for an e-ring.
 
#18
tbbbjb said:
I am *loving* hearing everyone's stories, they are all so different and special! Let's keep the sharing going.

AME and SWANKY: It is never to late to start your own traditions now :smile1:

Although, I think certain Birthdays and Anniversaries can/ should also be commemorated. I working on my husband for that one ;) Wish me luck!!
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I save them up :D
I tell him all year I don't want anything, none of the little odds and ends token gifts, but about every year or so I am going to REALLY want something and that's when I'll tell him I need a new piece of jewelry; watch, diamond hoops, etc. . .


MissD, that's invaluable history; completely sentimental and a wonderful keepsake.
 
#19
I wish my parents were into giving jewellery :(
I had to beg and beg to get my ears done at 6 and I had to beg and beg again to get them done at 16 but I have bought the majority of my jewellery.
I got a small chevron style ring with a heart and a tiny microscopic (yes it really is that small) diamond for christmas when I think I was 12?
I got a pinky ring to almost match my mom's for my I think 15th birthday...It's pretty simple just a gold heart with two cut outs on each side...it's actually a baby ring but I have tiny fingers and it's either a size 2 or 3 I can't remember. I think that is the only one that could become a tradition since she has a heart pinky ring too. Hers is a size 4 though and it's not a baby ring and I think she spent a lot more on hers LOL

I picked out all of my pieces though and right now I buy all my own jewellery. I am thinking of buying something to commemorate going back to college and getting a perfect score on my entrance english exam. I am thinking gold bangle...but this could just be an excuse to buy something nice LOL
 
#20
Not really sure if this is a family tradition, but my mother has given me a jewelry set or jewelry pieces almost every birthday up until perhaps grad school. I don't wear them much. I'm planning to wear my 17th birthday tanzanite with diamond in white gold set for my DBF's best friend's wedding. The only reason why I remember that it's from my 17th birthday is because she labeled it in on the box: 17th birthday. :p
 
#21
I don't have children of my own, but both nieces had their ears pierced on their 5th birthdays. The following Christmases I bought birthstone earrings for them. My older niece was born in March (aquamarine) & the younger niece was born in June (pearl).
 
#22
missD said:
I have a 1.17, I, VS1 Transitional Cut diamond from my hubby's 94 yr old grandmother - it was her e-ring diamond from the 1920s. Hubby's grandma was married at 13/14 in an arranged marriage in Shanghai and was fortunate to be in a loving relationship. Her family was a family of goldsmiths and hubby's grandfather came from a family of diamond dealers.

When the communists took over China, the soldiers raided their house (took apart floor boards etc.) and took almost everything, however they were able to hide this ring safely along with a few other diamond and rare jade pieces. Years later, hubby's dad got a scholarship to study in the US and came over with a few pieces and most of these have remained in the US ever since.

They've kept these in the US since the early 80s and this e-ring diamond was given to me as a wedding gift. I'll one day give it to my son or daughter when he/she gets married...or if they want to use it for an e-ring.
Click to expand...


WOW, what an amazing story!!! That ring must have some great energy with all that it has been through and seen. I really loved reading your story. It is so touching that it was given to you as a wedding gift and that you really seem to cherish it and intend to pass it on. Thanks for sharing such a special story with us!

BTW, what is a transitional cut diamond? I have never heard of that before.
 
#23
^ Its got chunkier facets like old european cut diamond and similar proportions to today's diamonds. It's like an in-between style. :)

Looks like this:

655186168_zLu2P-S.jpg
 
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#26
well, we haven't had a tradition, per se, but i have definitely received some amazing pieces from family members as a result:

• my mom finally gave me her gorgeous pear e-ring last year (i was with her when she purchased it in nyc when i was 7 and she always promised it to me)
• my mom gave my daughter her first set of diamond stud earrings last year, that i am safely tucking away for the future (since she has this problem of losing things)
• when i was 3 or 4, my aunt went to switzerland and bought me a gorgeous YG 24K charm bracelet that i couldn't wear until i was in my early teens.
• a gorgeous solid gold pocket watch that was owned by my grandfather from italy, whom i never met because he died before i was born
• a pair of YG 18K earrings with sapphires given to me by my grandmother. they were purchased in italy in the 20s
• a WG star of david necklace with diamonds that my grandfather gave to my grandmother that was given to me when i graduated high school
• i have my grandmother's original WG wedding band
• a gorgeous RG ring that was owned by my great grandmother that is apparently over 100 years old
• the round brilliant european cut diamond that was in my grandmother's original e-ring, is now in my original e-ring (i had it reset)
• my aunt gave me her gorgeous YG ruby & diamond "wedding" band (that i had to have repaired) when she got her gorgeous 7 ct. cushion diamond from my uncle
• when i got married, my aunt gave me a string of pearls to wear and keep that she also wore during her wedding
• on my sweet 16, we went to nyc and had a custom ring made with my initial with diamonds
• when i turned 18, my parents had a custom made necklace made for me with my name (a la carrie from sex and the city)
• when i turned 21, they bought me sapphire and diamond earrings, but unfortunately i lost one and only have one left now. :(
• a RG bangle with diamonds that my grandfather gave to my grandmother when they were living in austria.

my mom has a lot more jewelry that i will get when she passes, including her beautiful tennis bracelet.

i've been lucky because i have inherited such beautiful pieces, and since i have one child/daughter, she will ultimately get it all, including my LOVE bangle.
 
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#27
What a beautiful style MissD and holds so much family history. Priceless.

Onegirlcreative - your daughter is definitely lucky to be inheriting all the pieces you have. Sounds like you have a lovely collection.

:useless: Pictures please!
 
#28
missD: Thanks for educating me. Your ring is so beautiful! I really like the facets. Do they still make transitional cut diamonds currently or would one have to look at pre-owned/ antiques to find one nowadays? Thank you also for sharing that picture. I really do not think I would have understood what transitional cut diamond was without it. Again it is gorgeous, but the story that goes with it is just priceless :)

onegirlcreative: Thanks for sharing. You have such a nice collection from all your wonderful and might I add generous family members. I think when you get gifts like that with history they mean so much more and are so much more special. I hope you wear them :) I do have to agree with lilbluebear, I would love to see some pictures, when you get a chance!
 
#29
ladyash: I think that is a wonderful reason to purchase a piece of jewelry and congratulations!

lilbluebear: It sure sounds like a tradition to me! To get a piece of jewelry on EVERY birthday, yes I think that is most definitely a tradition and might I add you are lucky that you have such a generous Mom. I know it is possible that you may not have really liked some of the pieces but the thought that went into it really does count!

DebbieAnn: What a great and thoughtful Aunt you are! I hope your nieces enjoy the earrings now and when they are older appreciate the sentiment.
 
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