Saturday, October 23, 2010

Sentimental Jewels


 My mother took the ring off her finger and pressed it in my hand.
"I want you to have this now".

This pretty little ring originally belonged to my great aunt Fifi.
She received it from her employer, New York Life Insurance back in the 1950's when she retired.

It was given to my Mom after Aunt Fifi passed on.


 I have loved this ring from the first time I saw it on my mother's finger. I was a young teen and I suppose it was the blue sapphire. You know how I feel about the color blue.

On my wedding day my Mom let me wear it as my
something borrowed and something blue.

Now, looking into her warm and loving brown eyes
I protested, "not yet, Mom".

But we don't refuse her much these days...
and this sweet ring is now on my finger.



I purchased four of these simple silver bands inscribed sister a few years ago. I gave them to my two sisters, my sister in law and as a gift to myself to commemorate a sister's retreat that we shared.


The inside is inscribed forever...
What a blessing my sisters have been in my life!


My little sis Mary Beth and I were shopping on my birthday two years ago and each bought the other an initial pendant...
It was the same day she talked me into buying my beloved black cowboy boots!
That was a great day....


 I may have shared this pretty lariat made by Dina Varano in a previous post.
When I wear this unique piece I remember all the fun times I have shared with my dear friend and favorite flea marketing and antiquing partner, Paula.
  She has many beautiful pieces made by this talented artist and a visit to Dina's shop in Chester, Ct. is a must when I am visiting Paula.


This last little ring was given to me by Daniel when he was 12 years old. We were on a trip out west to visit as many of the National Parks as we possibly could on our three week vacation.

We were browsing the souvenir shop at Yellowstone.
 Dan spent most of the souvenir money his grandparents had given him on this one gift for me

He explained that it was Dakota silver and that it was a thank you gift for taking him and his sister Kate on our wonderful trip.

That is Dan.
What a gift.



I hope you enjoyed my precious jewels! 

I have them displayed here with a few of my nature finds from my morning walk in this beautiful southern neighborhood.

Have a wonderful weekend!
:)

61 comments:

Floss said...

So lovely, Laura. Your title really called to me this evening, as my sister and I spent the afternoon sorting through and sharing, as requested, our mother's jewellery. We found and remembered pendants she'd worn with polo-necks in the 70's, and brooches she'd worn in the 1980s. It was sad but lovely, too.

Jane said...

You have some very pretty pieces of jewelry but I know it's the sentimental value of each and every one that makes them special. Thanks for telling us the history of each piece.
Jane

clustres said...

Wonderful jewelry and memories!

Carole said...

Precious post Laura. Every piece having a special story.
xx
Carole

White Ironstone Cottage said...

Dear Laura
What a wonderful post and pretty pic's too
A sweet peek into your heart
What a treat
Blessings
Pam

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Beautiful & Touching Post ~ Thank You for Sharing....

gail said...

Hi Laura. This is beautiful. How lucky you are to have these wonderful pieces of family treasures. The memories associated with them will be with you forever. What wonderful gifts.
gail

Laurie said...

I love hearing how you acquired each piece and why the hold special meaning. They are beautiful!

gail said...

Laura, I would love you to come down and yes, we will wear our vintage aprons.
I'm glad you are enjoying your stay with your mom.
gail

kana said...

Laura,

I so love the beautiful ring your mother gave you...what a special treasure! I am looking forward to meeting you at Silver Bella...I am Kim Hanauer's roomie.

north pal said...

laura, how touching! sounds like something my mother would do and has. your jewels could not be bought as they are pricelss. it is a lovely bond between you girls and from your son,well what can i say. he was and probably still is very thoughtful and loving one man. Bless you! Bestest,Denise

Blondie's Journal said...

I can see that you hold all these pieces close to your heart. What great memories you will always have.

XO,
Jane

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Hi Laura...love all these!!The sister rings are so unique,your one lovely and lucky lady!! x0x0

Jamie said...

Your aunts ring is stunning, what a beautiful gift your mother gave you.

I'm also in love with the sister ring and would love to get one for my sister - do you still remember where you got it

Unknown said...

Enjoyed them very much! What wonderful treasures you have.
Enjoy your weekend,
KarenSue

Beach House Living said...

A lovely story and the jewels that go with it too.

Suz said...

Laura,
Do you know that right this moment I was thinking of you and your mom? Strange things happen sometimes! I am so touched by her gift. I know she will get so much enjoyment out of watching you wear it. I love your many precious pieces but I am really touched by the gift from your son. It is incredible that he spent almost all of his money on you. I am also pretty tickled because it is actually "Black Hills Silver" that was a copy of Black Hills Gold. Those of us from South Dakota grew up with this. It is a special piece of BH Silver, at that, very nice and chunky. I am not sure if they are making it anymore. Next time I am in South Dakota (my birth and growing-up state) I will check. I love that you have this!
Bigs hugs, my friend,
Suz

trash talk said...

You are encircled by never ending love with each of these special heartbeats. Thank you for sharing such personal little stories of each one with us.
Debbie

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

Very pretty jewels. And the post is also pretty.....Julian

Theresa said...

Oh how beautiful, special and precious! Enjoy each piece! Hugs!

erin's art and gardens said...

oh Laura, these scentimental pieces of bling are made ever more special and sparkly with the stories they tell. really heart warming.....

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing your special treasures with us.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Blessed Serendipity said...

You have some very beautiful pieces. I think I could tell you where every piece of my own jewelry came from and who gave it to me and when. Jewelry is such a personal gift. I love the ring your mama gave you!

-Danielle

Anne Lorys said...

Precious pieces, one and all!
That ring of your mom's is so lovely, Laura.
I have one from my mom, too. Worth more than anything to me.

Thank you for sharing these precious jewels. :-)

Hugs,
Anne

Vicki said...

Precious jewels and precious stories. So sweet. The ring your mom has given you is so beautiful. Priceless.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and touching post! Have a great weekend...xoxoxo www.1942charm.blogspot.com

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

My pieces that have sentimental value are worth so much more to me than the finest jewels. I have two rings that belonged to my mother that I would not trade for anything. Your mom's ring is beautiful and I know it must be very special to you.
xoxo, Sherry

Susy said...

I love all the jewelry, especially Great Aunt Fifi's ring. But especially that your mother was able to gift it to you personally. So special.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post...and gorgeous pictures. Thank you for sharing those memories!
xo
lynn

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Dear Dear Laura
What can I say.. such a sentimental post!!! Some of this is so close to home for me... but involves an emerald ring that belonged to my mum.. Emerald being both our birthstones..

All of your pieces are beautiful in their own right.. but so much more with the sweet stories behind them... Beautiful dear Laura... I'm sure that ring feel warm against your skin... warm with love.. xxx Julie

Burlap Luxe said...

sentimental and chic!!
Beautiful photo's and post!
have an inspiring Sunday
xx
Dore

Pilgrim at Kerjacob said...

Sitting here early on my own reading this you have reduced me to tears with the love that has ben shown to you,
The jewels are lovely but it is the love and thoughts that are the real gift.
You are a lucky woman.

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

Dear Laura,
what beautiful treasures!!!!
Have a great sunday,
Yvonne

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Hi Laura!

Guess what?? You won the giveaway of one of Molly Coddle's
tiles!! Just wanted to let you know!! :)

Beautiful post, by the way, about some very beautiful jewelry! :)

Ruth

manon 21 said...

Une jolie histoire d'amour Laura,une belle famille aussi.

A Kiss of Provence.

Manon

Maison Beldecor said...

Dear Laura, this are really pretty and precious jewels... and the stories behind them are so special. I'm shure you enjoy every piece.... Warm hugs, Bine

The French Bear said...

Laura, what beautiful and so precious your gifts....I always wished I had something from my Mom, unfortunately the older girls got it all...
I do have my special memories though, we spent a lot of time together.
Your family is so enchanting, I love the gifts you received from their hearts, and the friendships you have, what wonderful people you have in your life. They are treasures for sure!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

{oc cottage} said...

How precious...such memories!

m ^..^

loveandlilac said...

What a beautiful post. Somethings are priceless aren't they. Louise x

Unknown said...

Inspiring blog. I want to thank-you for taking time to stop in and leave me a comment.I appreciate it!!
Fun Finds 2 U... Chickie
Have a bright day !

E. Charlotte said...

What a beautiful post! It actually got me teary-eyed. :) It also got me thinking of some of my sentimental jewels. How special they are!

Share my Garden said...

A lovely post. I too have family pieces from my mother and grandmother that mean a great deal to me and which I shall pass on to my daughters in due time. They give a great feeling of continuity and are worth far more to me than just their market value. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

You always have such beautiful posts. I love all the rings and the story behind each and every one. I just spent time with my Sister in Colleyville, last weekend. She gave me photography lessons. I will be posting the pictures tonight. Have a wonderful weekend.

Kim Hanauer said...

Laura, this post touched my heart. Our mothers are so precious and we have them for only a little while. What a blessing that ring is! I know every time you look down at that finger you think of your mother. Have a Blesed evening- Kim

French-Kissed said...

Precious, indeed. The love and memories represented by each piece far outweighs the value of the precious stones and metals! Isn't it wonderful to be sentimental?

~jermaine

Anji Johnston said...

This post bought tears to my eyes. It is so lovingly written and full of sentiment. It made me miss my sister Sue so very much. She passed away a year ago on November 23rd. I will be going home to England in two weeks time to be with my beloved mum so she will not have to be alone at this very somber time. Thank you for reminding me that the smallest, least expensive things in life can truly be worth their weight in gold. Have a wonderful week ahead.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. Charmaine

Rozmeen said...

Beautiful jewels. Its so nice that something that beautiful has such a sentimental value as well...dubbel pleasure..Love to read the story behind..you hava a very sweet and lovely family. Love these family values and treasures..


Have a lovely week,
Rozmeen

FairyFiligree said...

So many dear memories. Thank you for sharing. I became curious as I study & research old jewellery and found more than I thought I would in this post. greetings to you.

Bohemian said...

What a lovely sentimental Journey you have taken us on this Morning... I loved your Natural Find displays of this beautiful and obviously cherished sentimental Bling.

Dawn... The Bohemian

Unknown said...

...lovelies for dear Laura ~
Smitten with how they are photographed, showcased beautifully...
xo, Rosemary

catarinah said...

Absolutely beautiful! It's the story behind the gifts and the love that they've been given with that make them special.
Warm greetings from the Greek islands....

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

What a beautiful post. I am wiping tears, happy tears:) ~Debra XXX
Capers of the vintage vixens

Jennifer said...

I'm an only child and my Mom used to say "when I die you'll inherit all my jewelry" and it always unsettled me. When she did die, I was 24 - I've always loved the pieces - 1 I wear, 1 is my daughter in law's engagement ring and another is her's as a love gift from my son. I know she'd smile...I miss her still. Jennifer jennsthreegraces you have such wonderful treasures

Mary B. in Texas said...

I have followed your blog for almost a year now. I love your finds and how you share them in your blog. But today's blog was extra special. The love surrounding each gift really touched my heart. My visits to my parents were always so special to me. As they got older, leaving them pulled at my heart. I pray your visit will be a special blessing to you, your mother, and your father. God is with you!
Mary B. in Texas

La Petite Gallery said...

Very touching, I lost all my family jewerly when my house burned down. Nothing can replace the memories. Enjoy and wear them in good health.

yvonne

Florence said...

What a beautiful post, thank you for sharing. Florence

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Laura, that ring is especially beautiful. What a special post!

Evi said...

Laura, I love all the jewelry, Aunt Fifis is very special for it holds so many memories. And Dan's ring was such a sweet gesture;... all rings given with much love!
Laura, the best jewel is a family like yours,with so much love and caring.
Enjoy your Mom's ring, she knows what it ment to you.
Lots and lots of love to you and your family,
Evi.
I miss you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Think I figured out mailing the pictures with Pete's and Alexandra's help, we will see.

Diane said...

I love your precious jewels Laura, and even more that each has its own precious story =)
Take care my friend....

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