Feeling sad she never wore any

[Cookiemonstersnana]

My DM has gone into a residential home with dementia.
We as in my brother's and I are sorting her house out.
There are lots of jewellery that she never wore think art deco broaches etc.
Mum was always very tight with her money, yet maybe they are not my taste
I can see the beauty of these items.
I have got a box of 30 broaches never worn and mum has put a note in about each and every one. Necklaces still in boxes never worn.
Pearls, diamond necklaces, bracelets etc how sad to think she never wore these pieces.
What do I do with everything. I'm not going to discuss the rings, pendants and earrings.
We don't think they are worth a lot of money maybe in total a couple of £1s.
When I talk to her about everything she can't remember buying any of these items.
It's so sad.

The joy isn’t always in the wearing. It can be in the buying and owning. I own some items of jewellery that I’ve never worn but they’ve still brought me great pleasure to collect and own.

I don't understand. If they have diamonds why only worth a pound or two?

Could they belong to her mother or grandmother? I have a few beautiful bits i would never wear as they are sentimental rather than for wearing.

They could also have been bought as a birthday gift etc so not really her taste.

I have packed DM’s away for now, like yours there’s notes as to who they belonged to, and it feels disloyal to consider selling them, not that I would know where to start there.

but long term it’s possible our DC won’t have children, I’m wondering if for financial reasons if it’s a good idea to investigate selling them down the track.

but I just wanted to say I understand how you are feeling…

I saw some vintage brooches in little white and black box frames with black velvet behind the brooch in a craft market recently.

They looked great.

You could display the ones you have in your Mum's room in this way.

Check with a trustworthy jeweller that none are real diamonds first though.

Massive hoard of unworn Art Deco brooches and necklaces with diamonds and pearls worth a couple of pounds “in total”.

What are you up to?

The idea of notes is lovely and reminds me very much of The Memory Shop by Ella Griffin. Enjoyable feelgood book.

Yes, OP it’s sad she didn’t wear them, we’re all guilty sometimes of keeping things for “best”. I don’t have lots of jewellery but I have started lighting the expensive candles and using my posh plates more!

Your writing is a bit weird.

.She may remember them if she could see and touch them.

Why not take one with you when you visit, it might trigger a conversation.

Do not leave any jewelry in your mum's room in the care home. It will be taken.

Get it all valued by a reputable jeweller. Investigate whether it's insured and if not, how much it would cost to insure.

Do you know if your mum has made a will, and if the pieces are left to anyone? They should be kept safe, either with a view to selling, or until the will is executed.

I’d get it valued and sell it. No point adding more stuff to yours.

Get it valued before you decide it is worthless.

For those who think I'm doing something underhand.
It will all be left to me in her will (only daughter).
I'm not bothered how much they are worth its the sadness that she never
wore any. They are beautiful pieces just not my taste. I can't sell any of them yet.
She is in reasonable health just her mind has gone.
Don't worry both brothers will get lots of other things so no jealousy on their part.