Heirloom jewellery for grandchildren

[ChocolateTruffleAssortment]

MIL has had an insurance payout after a burglary and has £4k to spend on jewellery for 4 girls and 2 boys. Thinking watches for the boys but that’s as far as we’ve got. How would you spend this money?

How old are they? Old enough to have opinions? Neither of my adult DC have ever worn watches and my DH never did till Apple invented one. The problem can be that tastes change too, I was given a gold watch and necklace for my 18th and 21st and realised fairly soon after that yellow gold didn't really suit me and I have only ever worn white metals since then. I've kept them for sentimental reasons but never wear them.

Why are you mentally spending her money? Surely it's hers , do with as she pleases and if there are going to gifts again it's her decision?

gosh, why do you think, maybe because MIL has asked for ideas?

the boys are primary age, the girls are 12-16.

That’s a lovely thought but I think classic jewelry is for the older generation. Can she open an isa instead for uni or college fees?

But heirloom jewelry tends to be pieces passed down through generations.

Diamond stud earrings for the girls.

Yes, when I wrote the title I thought it wasn’t quite the right phrase but hey, it’s just a post on mumsnet.

what was stolen was gold rings with diamonds, rubies etc - her MIL engagement ring from the 20s, her mother’s ring from the 40s etc. these would have been given to the girls but obviously now won’t be.

Investment pieces?
If there's no family history what's the point?
Money in an account for their future? I'm genuinely not trying to wind you up.

Well I wouldn't spend it on jewellery for children in the hope they'll still want to wear it in the coming decades.

Tastes change, some people don't wear jewellery or watches, and if it's expensive it imposes a need for insurance cover on the recipients.

The payout is in vouchers and has to be spent on jewellery.

So where are the vouchers for?

They might not be the original heirlooms. But all heirlooms have a start and these items will become the new heirlooms.
My grandparents have passed away recently and with the money I was left, I have bought my 2 daughter vintage lockets.

Perhaps Mikimtoto pearl studs for the girls and discreet Cartier cufflinks for the boys (good watches that can be called heirloom are so pricy).

FWIW I wouldn’t spend on brands for jewellery myself, I would go and buy secondhand for the most bang for my buck, however, their ages mean probably classic styles from brands that tend to hold their value might feel like the way to do it.

Ouch. Can MIL buy jewellery for herself to wear and enjoy instead? At least it would get some use first. It can then be handed down to the kids with as much chance of them wearing it as the original pieces.

I'd spread the risk by buying lots of lower priced items, rather than spending £700 an item.

It is a pity it's vouchers. I would have suggested buying 6* pieces at 500 each of older pieces at auction and the balance on a weekend with the children for the memories.

What I think is she has lost the feeling of sharing a memory and that maybe needs a little work.

Perhaps something that would be unlikely to be wore but displayed maybe an approach, e.g. pocket watches, broaches?

They could be in display boxes. I don't think it is likely a piece of modern jewellery today at that price point will give the feeling she is trying to recreate. The pieces are massive produced and wore a lot.

You're getting some weird replies here OP! For the girls I'd think of something classic and timeless like a string of pearls or diamond earrings. I wouldn't necessarily ask the girls what they'd like now as the answer may be something fashiony that they would regret as an adult - if you're wanting heirloom pieces then it needs to be something more grown-up (i.e. that they can wear at both age 25 and 65!) and that won't look dated in future. Boys are trickier, but maybe some lovely engraved cufflinks?

How sad that your MIL's jewellery was stolen, though, it must have had sentimental value for her.

I’d either choose replacement vintage pieces if the vouchers can be spent on that. If it has to be new jewellery then I’d go for gold chains. It’s a fairly unisex item ( although Men’s tend to be shorter and chunkier) that’s very wearable.

Gold bars? Some jewelers sell them.

What nasty replies. When our daughters were born, my sister in law and I were both gifted beautiful jewellery of our choosing to wear until the girls turned 16 at which point it would be passed down. I think it’s a lovely thing your mother in law is doing. I agree with diamond or pearl studs for the girls. For the boys maybe a simple gold chain? I don’t know how much wear boys would get out of cufflinks anymore as we as a society move away from shirts in general. Watches also a good idea but I generally don’t wear my good watch and nor does my husband now we have smart watches. Society definitely is changing in regard to these as well.

Gold St Christopher's for the boys, similar gold pendants for the girls perhaps? Lifelong jewellery for both.

Honestly if I was her, I would spend it on myself. I'd choose pieces I like to replace what had been lost. I say replace in the loosest sense of the word as sentimental pieces can't really be replaced but she could still choose items that give her joy. Then one day should she wish to leave them to grandkids she can.

Agree, she should choose things she would like to wear and then they can be handed down. Where are the vouchers for?

The DCs are too young, tell Mil to spend it on herself and then that can be passed in, reset etc in yrs to come.

For the girls I'd think of something classic and timeless like a string of pearls or diamond earrings.

I’m not quite sure pearl necklaces are that classic these days.

I agree with things she can wear herself and pass on as she would have done with the originals. It's trickier for boys though, most men I know don't wear jewellery apart from wedding rings and cufflinks are rarely seen now. A St Christopher is nice for the symbolism even if they don't normally wear jewellery.