Great pleasure and enjoyment can be had by the person who has a visceral, meaningful connection between herself (or himself) and a piece of jewelry. That emotional bond is often created when jewelry represents the love between two people, but it can also manifest itself in the memories of loved ones gone. This winter’s Intelligent Life includes a lovely piece on heirlooms, those jewels passed down which, of monetary value or not, provide their owner with priceless value in the form of memories. One example:
An extremely old, rich and arthritic English aristocrat once told me she could no longer force her mother’s diamond rings—the size and shape of Brazil nuts—over her swollen knuckles. “I’m getting them made into shoe buckles”, she announced, “so that they can stay close to me.” Did she worry, then, if she wasn’t wearing them? “Oh no,” she smiled. “I keep them because they remind me of Ma.”
The article suggests men choose pieces they hope will become heirlooms based on the rare stones involved, whereas women look for artistry. In either case, the provenance of an heirloom (and the love and beauty therein) creates a rich tapestry for future possessors to appreciate. Read the whole article here.
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