The object I have chosen to discuss for this blog post is one that is very near to my heart, quite literally.  It is a necklace that I have worn every day for over a year now. I have taken it off less than five times since the day I first put it on, one of those times being a few minutes ago while taking photos of it for this post.  When I first began wearing this necklace, I had no clue that it held and historical family value. I found it in one of my old jewelry boxes while looking for a new necklace to wear.

When I was younger, I had a bad habit of hoarding necklaces that I would never wear.  About three years ago, I decided that I would only wear one necklace and that I would not take it off or replace it until it either broke or began to tarnish, or a year had passed.  I would keep the necklace on at all times, even while exercising, swimming, or showering. I knew that if I were to remove it, even briefly, the likelihood of putting it back on would be slim to none.  I had successfully worn two necklaces to the breaking point before wearing the one pictured, a gold colored necklace with a unique chain made up of shapes similar to cylinders and spheres, though more angular and connected by pieces of chain so thin they sometimes appear to be floating.  The charm is gold colored and resembles a flower, with the center being a small stone that I assumed was cubic zirconia. This necklace originally served the function of being worn until it breaks to prevent myself from purchasing any more necklaces.

My necklace continued to serve this purpose until a day in July this past summer.  I was wearing it, as I had for nearly seven months at that point, when my grandmother said “I love that you always wear that necklace”.  She said it in a way that made me curious, what was so special about this necklace? I’ve had it for years and it had just been sitting in a box.  I inquired further and my grandmother revealed that she had given the necklace to me when I was very young and that not only were the gold and gem real, but that the gem was originally a part of her engagement ring.  She at some point several years ago had had the ring reset and a gem was removed. She had it made into a necklace for me, her oldest granddaughter.

I do not know where exactly she had the necklace created.  I would guess that it was at a gold jeweler in New York City, as I remember going there with her and my mom as a child.  I was not there when the necklace was made, but I remember my grandmother telling me that it was her favorite jeweler and that she went there for most of her jewelry needs.  The clasp of the chain has some markings, but I think they are to show that the necklace contains a certain amount of gold. They do not seem to indicate any one specific jeweler.

I had no idea that this necklace that I continue to wear around my neck everyday has so much family significance.  In that moment, the necklace took on a new function. It now serves as a reminder of the love between my Grandma and Grandpa that has survived for over 50 years.  On my Grandma’s eighteenth birthday, she moved out of her childhood home. My Grandparents got married a few days later. I know consider this necklace symbolic of my grandparents love and it often serves as a comfort to me.  I have a habit of playing with it when I am nervous, by holding it, I am reminded of its origins and I smile.

This necklace has changed my routine of purchasing a necklace once a year as well.  It is very well made and I intend to wear it for a very long time. I have mentioned in class that my family does not have heirlooms, however, I hope to one day pass this necklace down to my own children.