Heirloom Jewellery What to do?

by AM Mitchell

Grandma, aunty, or mum have passed on to you one of their treasures, a precious memento for you to have as a keepsake and you’re wondering what can I do?

There are a number of options, and I will explain three for your consideration:

 Having the item professionally checked hand polished and cleaned.

 Restoring the item so it is good to use and hand on to another generation.

 When is it ok to rework / redesign, re-love, keeping treasured memories intact.

When you’re given an item or have been wearing something for many years it is really wise to have it checked out by a practising jeweller, not sales staff. This is the case even if you’re not intending to wear the item. You will be advised if any gems are likely to fall out or if the item has major wear issues in need of restoration if you’re wanting to wear it regularly. This is usually a free service.

If you want to wear the item all the time it may need partial or complete restoration.

For example, a new half band, or the sides of the ring worn so thin the ring could break, or claws so thin, precious gems could fall out and be lost.

Often it is difficult to find gems to match the missing gems. Curtis Australia are fortunate to have built up a collection of hard-to-find gems, so should be able to help you in this case.

“We will design you a new item using the best gems and perhaps adding some new ones as well to make a great looking piece.” www.curtisaustralia.com

The ring opposite has been restored by Curtis Australia of Bairnsdale in their studio.

Master Jeweller Glenn Curtis with over 50 years of experience of restoring and making jewellery heads the team of skilled jewellers who can breathe new life into your treasured heirlooms. They also guarantee your items never leave the studio.

The third option is for a redesign of the item, or to combine several items into one spectacular piece. This is when the item’s design is not suitable, or the item is so worn out you want a fresh start.

We will design you a new item using the best gems and perhaps adding some new ones as well to make a great looking piece.

This can even have some of the old gold used in the item. If you have lots of old jewellery, there may even be enough to create a handmade chain.

This way the old gold goes from worn out to new, your story evolves, and you continue to have your treasured memories to share.

With international awards to their name, you’ll be in safe and trusted hands.

Glenn, Heather and the team look forward to helping you with all your jewellery needs located at 129 Macleod Street Bairnsdale, phone 5152 1089.

Libraries are more than shelves lined with books—they are spaces of connection and resilience. Every day, people walk through library doors looking for more than just a story. They find support, community, and sometimes, a fresh start.

For one avid reader, Myli Libraries have been a lifeline. “The staff at my local library make such a big difference to access,” they shared. “It’s not just a place to read; it’s a happy atmosphere. Their recommendations often introduce me to books I didn’t even know I needed.”

Libraries also serve as a refuge during life’s hardest times. One patron recalls how their library was a saving grace during a period of homelessness. “I come from an abusive upbringing where books were my safe space. The library has been my rock—through difficult times in my life and even now, as I quit smoking after 51 years. don’t know where I’d be without the library and the incredible people who run it.”

For a family new to Australia, the library became a gateway to belonging. “As new immigrants, we feel blessed that our kids have access to so many high-quality books,” they express. “The library team welcomed us with smiles and a bag full of books each week. It made immigration a little easier.”

Beyond books, Myli’s programs make a real difference in the community.

Vicki, who runs the garden club at Myli, sees it firsthand. “A mum now grows herbs for cooking, a dad has taken up gardening because of his daughter’s excitement from our garden events, and kids are asking for their own watering cans after learning to care for plants at the library. These little moments remind us that the programs we run—no matter how small—matter.”

Sometimes, a library visit can be the light in an otherwise dark time. One patron recalls struggling financially and mentally before discovering their local library. “At my lowest point, I wandered into the library.

It was a warm, free space where I wasn’t expected to pay to exist. On that day, I picked up a book, and it was enough to make me smile.”

These are just a few of the stories Myli patrons have shared, proving that libraries are not just about books—they are about people. They are about the stories we borrow, the connections we make, and the kindness that reminds us we are not alone. Whether it’s a place to read, to grow, or simply to be, Myli continues to be a place for everyone.

Joining Myli is free, and your library card unlocks a world of opportunities. With branches across Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Cardinia Shire, and South Gippsland, there’s a Myli library near you. Sign up today and see what your library can do for you. Visit myli.org.au or stop by your local branch to learn more. gl