I went digging with my mum today, and we found some marvelous pieces!
First up, the graduation ring my grandfather gave my mother. Amethyst in 22k, the metalwork is truly stunning, it''s so delicately wrought. It looks thin in the shank, but it''s surprisingly sturdy
I was almost scared to touch it, it's such a precious treasure. I think the stones are rubies, they're very included and a darker pink IRL. 22k. There used to be another portion that dangled from that loop, it's long gone though. This ring is heavy! My grandmother's grandmother must've had teeny tiny fingers, because it's awfully tight on me, and I wear a 4!
24k. These are incredibly soft, and easy to scratch and bend, so they''re almost never worn. The colour is a beautiful dark, rich golden, the way they look on my monitor is actually very close.
I think this pic really shows the artistic style, and how it really differs from what we're used to here in the western world. It's very intricate, and detailed, but at the same time almost free-form - lacking that precision in symmetry, equally spaced milgraining, etc. that is generally prized here in the US. Most of these pieces are older, and are handmade, which adds to the uncertainty, but they really are beautiful
Last up: the pendant is part of a set my parents, aunt and uncle had made for me to wear on a very special occasion. I''ll wear them on my wedding day next year for the first time
Gorgeous family pieces, yssie!! Those are stunning yellow gold jewelry! That''s the same color yellow gold our family loves, but 22k-24k is just so soft that my mom doesn''t want me wearing them too often in fear of accidentally bending them. But they''re absolutely beautiful!!
Thank you for the kind words, everyone. It was a surreal experience, I've never seen most of these before, and the stories behind each piece are such precious memories. I can't believe I was holding a ring my grandmother's grandmother once wore, I wish I knew how she got it! I've a lot of questions for my grandmother next time I see her
Kenny - you're absolutely right, everything but the two bracelets is Indian. The bracelets are from Hong Kong, I believe - some of my family was there during the British regime.