FAMILY TREASURES

By Analucia Beltran

How many of us have ever received a family heirloom? A piece of jewellery passed down from generation to generation in our own familes?

There is a special feeling that only ‘jewellery that stays in the family’ can give us. A unique sensation of pride, joy, care, and love.

How special is receiving our first piece of fine jewellery as a child in response to a religious celebration, a birthday or even our first pair of earrings as a baby?

Have any of us played with our mom’s pearls? That was me, as a little girl, yet back then I didn’t understand the powerful meaning behind each piece of jewellery.

From the engagement ring to the wedding and anniversary bands, each piece of jewellery carries a story behind it, that then becomes a part of a family legacy, something of tremendous value you can pass down to the next generation.

Also, given that each gemstone comes from Mother Nature, carrying thousands, millions and in some cases billions of years in them, each gemstone has a very special energy that serves a purpose for each person that wears it.

Whether you love precious emeralds, rubies, sapphires or fabulous diamonds, it is truly fascinating that these alluring gemstones are natural formations that are then transformed into remarkable pieces of wearable art.

It begins with a Ring

For example, let’s think about how a diamond engagement ring marks the beginning of a union, symbolizing the love of two people that then start a family.

Maybe many of you have even received an engagement ring that once belonged to a dear family member, a true piece of family history.

When we look into it deeper, I find it truly fascinating that many of the most memorable family “gifts,” the ones that truly stand the test of time, are predominantly jewellery. These “family jewellery traditions” transcend the actual gemstones or gold value itself, and turn into emotional pieces that form a deep attachment with each person that receives it, especially because these pieces are given with love by a family member.

The most wonderful part of this type of family tradition is that it can remain in a family for several generations.

Stories to Tell

There is a magical component which is the rich meaning imbedded in each piece of jewellery. As many of out mothers and grandmothers go through their own jewellery box, they can tell us the exact moment and describe the ‘feeling’ they experienced when they received each piece, who gave it to them, the occasion it represented and much more. A beautiful trip down memory lane.

We’d be surprised at the many amazing stories behind each piece of jewellery.