Family Heirlooms: The jewelry of the women

Today’s post is for Katie over at A Virginia Writer’s Diary. Even though there are many years that separate us, I find I often sense a commonality in things we like: writing, wine, Martin guitars, and now, our family costume jewelry.

When Mother moved into assisted living and Sis and I started the overwhelming task of clearing out the lifetime accumulation of 71 years of marriage, we sorted through jewelry. I brought these pins home to check and see if any of them might have value as vintage jewelry. I hung them on the doll coat hanger–mother made porcelain dolls and their clothes and of course, they had to have someplace to hang their wardrobe.

Several of them were actually worth more than I would have thought (around $70 based on selling prices on various vintage sites) and I let Mother know. She said, “I don’t want to sell them, I want you to have them.” On the hanger they stayed and have been ever since. While I was still working, I wore a couple of them, clipped onto a silver choker I wore with different pendants–also from mother.

Once again, I find myself in the process of inventorying the things I brought home to check about. Mostly, I have enjoyed learning the history of the items. Now I have to set to the task of our dispersing items that my nieces, cousins, and great-niece might want. It is rather like a last walk through the memories of the life I recall with my parents, and it brings pleasure this time around.