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11.13.2013

My Gram Necklace


Years ago, I remember sitting around my parents dining room table with my parents, sister and Gram. I don't recall why we were all there together. Possibly a birthday dinner, or holiday. But my Gram had brought a special gift for both my sister and I. 

I remember feeling sad before opening the gift. My beloved Gram was in her mid nineties, and I knew, this was a gift that she wanted to give us herself. Not just something to leave to us after she passed. Although it was bittersweet, I am so thankful that this is something passed down to me in person. Because otherwise, I would not have known the story behind my treasured necklace. 

This jade and gold necklace was very special to my Gram. A friend of hers panned the gold, then designed and made the necklace himself and gave it to her as a gift. I love the intricate detail and the scene he created with the cabin and trees. I think jade was the perfect compliment to the gold, it doesn't compete with it, rather lets the details stand out. The town where I was raised was in the heart of the Gold Rush, and I love that this necklace also has that symbolism of where I am from. 

I always like to wear the necklace with a really simple outfit, usually black, so that it stands out. I typically only bring it out for special occasions because I'm terrified of losing it. But as I put it on last weekend, I thought, I should wear it more often. It is so unique and beautiful. Best of all, it reminds me so much of one of my favorite people. 

My sister also received a beautiful necklace that day. Hers is a gold pendant that Gram wore everyday. She told us the story of when my sister was little and my Gram held her, she would grab onto that necklace and say "mine."

Do you have a family heirloom or something special that has been passed down to you? What is it?

Missing you always, Gram. 





12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and special necklace! So symbolic, too, with the gold detail. I love it.

    My grandma died a few months ago and she left me her wedding ring. (I wear it on my right hand.) It's my first family heirloom and I'm obsessed with it. Every time I look at it, I think about my grandma and how much I loved her. I hope I am able to pass it or another piece of jewelry onto my future grand-kids someday!

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  2. Love that!! My mom has a lot of gorgeous jewelry that one day will be passed down to my sisters and I. But I tell her all the time I much rather see it on her than on me!

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  3. You're so beautiful friend! And what a special necklace!

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  4. How beautiful! I love the story that goes with it. I have ring that my mom was given when she was in high school in Germany it is my favorite piece of jewelry.

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  5. this is so beautiful!
    you should totally wear it more often! its so beautiful it will go with anything- and you carry your Gram closely with you when you are wearing it!

    my sister and i both wear a diamond drop given to us by our grandparents on our 18th birthday! they are family diamonds, one was once an engagement (my grandmother needed an upgrade!!) and the other was an earring i think.. need to figure out the details on that!

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  6. ps- I just blushed when i saw my 'button' in your sidebar :)

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  7. Aww! Gorgeous necklace and such a great story! My engagement ring's diamond is from a ring that Jordan's grandpa bought his grandma. So that's a family piece so to speak.

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  8. what a beautiful story. given how much you like the outdoors i think it fits you perfectly!

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  9. Thank you for sharing. Love your necklace. Everything that my gma gives me is so precious and I love it dearly. About two years ago my gma gave me three of her St. John knit dresses. They are beautiful. Last year I wore it to a fancy event Farbodd had and gave my grandma the pictures. I cannot tell you how much it meant to her to see me in it. She still tells everyone in the family that I wore the dress she wore more than 30 years ago.

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  10. Heirlooms are sweet and symbolic. They’re more than just accessories, they’re treasures. Yeah, you should wear it more often. Gold and jade looks good on you. And the necklace would be a fine accessory to go with any outfit. Lorita @ BuyingValuables.com

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    1. I see you're a no-reply blogger, so I wanted to respond to you here...thanks so much for your sweet comment, I will definitely be wearing it more often now! I hope you had a great weekend!

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