The Sentimental Value of Jewellery

For many people, the value of jewellery goes well beyond the monetary value. In addition to adding beauty and prestige to an outfit, some jewels have great sentimental value. Any piece of jewellery can have sentimental value; however, one of the most obvious pieces is a wedding ring. A wedding band it a clear symbol of one’s lifelong commitment to their partner. In this article, we explore the sentimental value of jewellery in more detail.

What is Sentimental Value?

Something has sentimental value if it carries a story or has a memory attached to it. Close friends or family members may give us sentimental gifts such as bracelets or necklaces, or we may purchase something sentimental to commemorate a special moment in life. Big events such as celebrating a marriage, welcoming a new baby, or taking a trip can be celebrated by purchasing a sentimental jewel. Each time the piece is worn, we’ll be reminded of the treasured moments in life.

What Pieces Have Sentimental Value?

Wedding Band

For most people, a wedding band is certainly sentimental. Traditionally, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. It’s worn on this finger because the vein in the fourth finger can be traced all the way to the heart, so wearing your band on this finger is thought to connect your ring to your heart. While this theory isn’t necessarily based on scientific evidence, millions of people still follow the age-old tradition today. The belief stems from the Greeks and Romans, who first believed that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart. Known as ‘Vena Amoris’, the vein was referred to as the vein of love. This belief started the tradition of wearing the wedding band on that particular finger, to symbolise the love between the married couple.

Engagement Ring

Just like a wedding band, an engagement ring often holds sentimental value. Traditionally, a man proposes marriage to his partner with an engagement ring. Today, the most popular type of engagement ring is a diamond. However, it hasn’t always been this way. Diamond engagement rings only became the ‘norm’ in the 1940s, after De Beers created their world-famous ad campaign “A Diamond is Forever”. To get more people to buy diamonds in a bad economy, the company decided to link diamonds with some emotional. Before long, they made it their mission to “create a situation where almost every person pledging marriage feels compelled to acquire a diamond engagement ring.” While engagement rings had been around since medieval times, the concept had never been widely adopted. And at that time, only 10% of the rings that were used contained diamonds. With a careful and clever marketing strategy, De Beers strengthened the tradition of engagement rings and changed the opinion of diamonds from precious stones to essential parts of marriage. Today, engagement rings are an important part of modern marriage. For most people, the jewel holds high sentimental value.

A Source of Strength and Inspiration

Any jewel that serves as a source of strength and inspiration can be classed as sentimental. In a world that feels uncertain at times, many people feel that sentimental jewellery is something they cannot do without. When we feel lost and unsure, a sentimental necklace can give us the strength we need to soldier on. Nothing can beat the feeling of holding a meaningful piece of jewellery and being able to draw strength from it. The power of a sentimental necklace is unexplainable. The jewel provides its owner with comfort, joy, inspiration, and so much more. Additionally, it gives us the chance to bond with others when asked about the meaning behind it. Sharing meaningful stories with others brings us closer together.

Remembrance Jewels

When we lose a loved one, sentimental jewellery allows us to honour them and keep their memory close to our hearts. This is particularly true if the piece was given to us by our departed loved one or purchased as a way to commemorate their life. Wearing the jewel allows us to keep their love close, even though they’re no longer with us. For many people, a jewel is a perfect way to express the unending love between themselves and a lost loved one.

Today, remembrance lockets are a popular way to honour a lost loved one. Available from several different retailers, remembrance lockets allow you to fill a locket with charms to remember your loved one. As big occasions come and go, the loss of a loved one can feel more painful than ever. A sentimental keepsake allows us to carry the spirit and memory of those we have lost with us. This can be particularly helpful in those moments where we want nothing more than to have them with us.

Heirloom Jewellery

Many people are passed down sentimental keepsakes from a relative. Often, heirloom jewellery is passed down to commemorate special occasions such as birthdays or weddings. For instance, a grandparent may pass down a sentimental keepsake to their grandchild on their 18th birthday. The passing down of heirlooms brings the family together as the origin of the piece is explained. Being given jewellery that’s been in your family for generations is a special experience as it creates a link to the family heritage. Popular examples of heirloom jewels are necklaces, engagement rings and bracelets featuring precious gemstones. Typically, the style of the piece is timeless as opposed to a trendy accessory. This allows the new owner to wear it for years to come before passing it down to their own children.

In Summary

When it comes to jewellery, sentimental value is often far more important than monetary. Unlike losing a regular accessory, nothing can ease the pain of losing something sentimental. With this in mind, it’s important to keep it safe! Even the best insurance in the world cannot replace something that special.