I hardly ever wear my jewelry...

[mrs jam]

One of my favorite authors, Marge Piercy, has a line about just this: "a life wrapped in tissue paper." It's employed as a character is sorting through her mother's things, after her funeral, wondering at the fact that her mother was always so careworn, denying herself nice things ... when they were there for her to enjoy, all along.

I sort of shuddered when I read that, because I completely recognized it: since then, I've tried very hard not to emulate it. Life is too short to wait for Godot! I say wear the things that bring you pleasure, or you're just wasting them ....

BTW, Gypsy, beautiful, sad post. That encapsulates what Piercy wrote oh so very well ... only with a happier ending, since you're the polar opposite. Brava!

This quote reminded me of my own mother - always saving things for a "special" occasion. It would drive me nuts that she refused to burn her huge assortment of scented Yankee candles unless it was a holiday or some other "special occasion" because she didn't want to "waste" them. I would tell her that I didn't think the candle companies were going to go out of business anytime soon.

My viewpoint on this is that you can't enjoy it when you're dead.

 

[GameSeeker]

In that case sell it XD, I dont have jewelry beacuse I dont like it my feeling towards jewelry changed when I watched the movie Titanic.

 

[jewelerman]

Thank you so much for all the posts to this question! I am one of those people who don't wear their jewelry because of the wear and tear factor of daily life and wanting to keep it in perfect condition.Most of it sits in the bank box or in their individual boxes waiting to be worn and appreciated(after all its what the stuff was made for).I tell my clients all the time to take care of it but to wear and get every bit of enjoyment of out it that you can!I never take my own good advise.The last few months it has started to sink in that i waste to much time and energy waiting for just the right time to wear my jewelry and watches.I also do this with my good clothes,shoes and house hold items...the sterling and china never come out of storage,the good stationary never gets written on and the expensive towels that feel so good never get used.What is starting to change my mind is the organization of my estate and writing of my will.It has dawned on me that Ive spent 30 plus years collecting but have spent more time organizing,cleaning,insuring and protecting my stuff then wearing or enjoying it!When i sat down to think about who will get what items i realized that once out of my possession these pieces will be worn,scratched, slept in ,thrown in the bottom of purses and jewelry boxes,and possibly melted down for needed cash by their new caretakers.The people i love don't care if these pieces are perfect .When my mother passed away i was put in charge of distributing her jewelry and art work.The next generation that inherited her most prized possessions never took a loupe to assess their condition or monetary value.She always said that possessions don't make the person and never to own anything that you cant walk away from if need be.She said to buy it,wear it,enjoy it and let it go.This month is a major birthday for me and im assessing the last 30 years since graduation from high school so that is probably why this thread hits home for me.Now excuse me...Ive got to go put on a few diamond rings and use the Wedgwood for no reason except that its Friday afternoon! Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Peepa]

...wore my sapphire ring today.
I adore this ring. My husband gave me this ring. It's set in platinum and has the prettiest blue hue.
I've had it for about 4 years now and have worn it less than a dozen times... for fear of chipping it.

I'll do better; It's about time.

 

[Gypsy]

The key, IMO, to keeping shoes and purses in good condition is to get them in to the cobbler before they get too damaged. So if there is something I care about, I'll take it in for some TLC every so often. The purse I've had for 3.5 months and the leather is buttery soft so I took it in and yes, it looks great. BRAND NEW? No. But I carry it everyday.

Glad you wore the ring. Keep wearing it.

 

[suchende]

One of the best ways to get over your fear: a little bit of damage! My brand-spanking-new tourmaline has a couple tiny scratches on the table. I can only see them at just the right angle. It doesn't bother me because it was inevitable. I certainly don't love it any less. It'll probably get more. That's life.

 

[Andelain]

Hey Peepa! I'm active duty, currently deployed to Iraq. See that bling in my sig line? I have it here and wear it as much as I can. I guess you can tell my opinion on this subject. Wear it and enjoy it, you only live once!

Thanks Andelain! I will.

Hey Peepa! I'm active duty, currently deployed to Iraq. See that bling in my sig line? I have it here and wear it as much as I can. I guess you can tell my opinion on this subject. Wear it and enjoy it, you only live once!

And stay safe!

Enjoy it, too. And thank you!




Hijacking this thread only to say PLEASE stay safe. And THANKS.

Thanks, Amber! And you're very welcome!

Hey Peepa! I'm active duty, currently deployed to Iraq. See that bling in my sig line? I have it here and wear it as much as I can. I guess you can tell my opinion on this subject. Wear it and enjoy it, you only live once!

Apologies for the tiny threadjack....... Ande, I just had to say I *love* your new sig line! I don't think you had it four weeks ago when I went into the hospital. That halo of baguettes and rounds- yummmmm!!

Hi gemgirl, glad you like the new sigline, and I'm especially glad you're back from the hospital. Doing better, I hope. I'm rather fond of the halo myself, but I have had thoughts of switching out the center stone in favor of a yellow AVC.

...wore my sapphire ring today.
I adore this ring. My husband gave me this ring. It's set in platinum and has the prettiest blue hue.
I've had it for about 4 years now and have worn it less than a dozen times... for fear of chipping it.

I'll do better; It's about time.