I believe that jewelry is a symbol of love that has lasting value. When you receive or purchase a piece of jewelry, it is meaningful not only because of the material aspect, but also because of the sentiment behind it. Each piece that I own has a story and each time I wear a piece of jewelry, I am reminded of the sentiment behind it. If it was given to me, I am reminded of the gratitude I feel about that person in my life.

When I was younger, I would tease my dad about wearing his gold-encrusted diamond pinky ring. I would tell him to stop wearing it and to give it to me. Years later when I was an adult, he had the diamond reset into a simple band and gifted it to me as a surprise for my birthday. The ring is beautiful mostly because it was his and he gave it to me with a lot of love. I was just teasing, but he remembered and the thoughtfulness that went into the gift is what I will always be reminded of each time I wear the ring.

I stored the diamond in a safe, keeping it safely protected for a long time. Being trusted to care for a diamond that was significant to my father made me feel like I had to wait for a special occasion to wear it. I’ve come to realize that every day IS special. He wore it proudly when it was his and he gave it to me to cherish now, not someday. It’s the same feeling I got when I purchased a pair of diamond earrings for myself.

Many women feel they have to wait for someone to make them feel special with a gift of jewelry, but it felt great to purchase a piece for myself. Why wait for a special occasion to purchase a piece of jewelry you love? I’m going to celebrate myself today, while I can. What I find most beautiful about these pieces is that we can continue to pay it forward from one generation to the next. One day I’ll hand my diamonds down to someone I love.