Ideas for future heirloom

[KitchenDancefloor]

There is a long backstory to this but I was supposed to be given a ring as part of an inheritance from an elderly relative. It has gone to someone else and I have been given £1k instead.

That's fine by me, the ring is not something I would have worn anyway.

However I like the idea of having a piece of proper jewellery that is passed between generations so I'd like to use that money to buy something that I can pass down to my DD.

I'm not sure where to start as the only real jewellery I have is my wedding and engagement ring.

Any ideas? I'd rather pay for the metal/gems than a brand and would prefer something ethically sourced.

We don't have pierced ears so earrings are out.

I would suggest pearls you could get a really nice rope from an independent jeweller. They're the sort of thing that sometimes are just the right sort of jewellery. I bought my daughter some for her 18th, they will last her lifetime and she can leave them to her daughter. Otherwise I would suggest a diamond pendant but a good quality diamond would probably cost more than your budget.

Pearls are a lovely idea.

My mum was so proud of her 'pearls' and was going to pass them on to me. They turned out to be plastic and needed restringing so that didn't happen. I miss her and her quirky bargains.

Thank you.

I would go with pearls or a diamond pendant - if you go with secondhand you will get a lot more for your money
I bought a diamond star pendant for £650 at an auction less than 2 years ago - just been valued at £4K

What about a broach? It'd be more costume than everyday but could be special?

Does it have to be new to you?
My engagement ring is an antique - the equivalent now for new would be a crazy amount to spend on a ring. It was £1500, for a platinum 1.3 carot diamond.
I'd be tempted with something like a sapphire or Emerald

This for example! www.hemswell-antiques.com/antiques/silver-and-jewellery/jewellery-and-gold/diamond-and-blue-sapphire-band-eternity-ring-18k-white-gold-74706.html

I would commission a ring with stones that you love / mean something to you. It would be unique to your family & a lovely inheritance for your daughter

I wouldn't go for pearls, their value is very little if that's important to you. You'll also get a lot more value if you buy vintage.

I would go for an antique pendant or bracelet.

@PhilipBWR not the best advert for your business when you need to desperately trawl Mumsnet for customers...!

Thanks for all the replies. I think antique is the way to go. I've looked at some high street jewellers online and can't fathom their price structure at all.

The Goldsmiths website is shockingly bad. Who would spend £35k on a necklace when the retailer only displays one incomplete image?!

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Fope-18ct-Rose-and.-White-Gold-MiaLuce-Necklace/p/37250953/

Anyway I think I'll shop in person with my DD at a local town which is known for its antique shops once everything is open again.

Interesting to know that pearls don't hold their value so I'll bear that in mind.

I won't be buying off the internet whether a chain of stores or an approach from a stranger online

I have a Lisa Eldridge ring and I love it. Silver starts at around £400, gold around £1000. Can vary vastly depending on how precious the stone is. I think they are really beautiful, and a bit different while staying very wearable. They are ethically sourced.

I would caution against emeralds if you want this to be an heirloom piece. My personal experience is that they are stunning, but brittle, easy to knock and break and lose the stone. If you want it you last generation maybe something more hard wearing.

Is there nothing you already own that could be melted down or re purposed? I was really fortunate to be given a horrible old chunky 1970s necklace. Hideous. Reminded me of something Jimmy Saville would have worn. But the gold was good and I commissioned three pieces from it from a craft jeweller - one for me, one for DD and one for my DiL. They love them