Heirloom jewellery for grandchildren

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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?

Hello! I am a jeweller and thought I'd give some suggestions but of course they won't be for everybodies taste

It may be worth considering buying gold as it can be easily melt and rolled in future for a new style of jewellery or wedding rings when the time may come. White gold is an option for those who prefer a silver look. Perhaps a gold necklace with pendant, maybe set with a stone? Birthstones?

Perhaps something timeless such as a pair of diamond earrings. Most passed down jewellery that I come across are rings so you may want to consider this.

For the men, signet rings? Again, gold is a good suggestion for this. These can be engraved too.

I'd suggest not branded jewellery but from a nice independent jewellers instead.

I'd also strongly recommend not buying for investment as the value of precious metals and stones change all the time. For example, gold is much more expensive at the moment and diamonds have decreased in value due to trade abroad and lab growns.

Hope some of that can help

Also, stay away from Tiffany! Might be an unpopular opinion but we are constantly repairing quite bad quality pieces from them at the moment

Ok. So this is £660 each. It’s very difficult to know what to buy. The watches won’t be automatic or a collectible brand for that money. Fashion watches would be available but difficult to know which brands. They will be battery watches so I’d choose what you like for the next few years.

It’s a lovely thought but again £660 for the girls would buy gold earrings. Diamond studs? You would hardly see them. Pearl necklace would not be cultured pearls either. I agree that Tiffany is not great.

When I lost a diamond, I had a voucher and this could only be spent in named jewellers. It’s fairly standard. It means you don’t get huge choice. My diamond solitaire was exchanged for a watch! I could have got similar but not exact replacement as it was a necklace and hand made. I do wear the watch though. So check where the vouchers can be spent and look at what’s available. Pre owned jewellery is better value.

I'd buy some simple, beautiful vintage / antique rings from the same era that were stolen to fit MIL. She can wear them for now and pass on when she passes.

I think cufflinks for boys and second hand if possible or bespoke if not, simple earrings or pendants for girls.
If they have sentimental attachment and are not too 'fashionable 'they will be worn . DD works in an arty setting and has some lovely, stylish jewellery but also wears the diamond studs chosen by her father.My DSes ( 23-31) wear cufflinks if they are formally dressed .

My 19 year old loves her pearl necklace and also has pearl earrings.
Two of her friends have pearl earrings too.

This is a gift, an heirloom from their Gran - flipping ungrateful if they don't like what they're given, they can give it back.

Buy pure gold or silver. They can have it melted to make wedding rings, or bracelets etc. Watches don't live forever, and will become obsolete

They are all children!

Anyway, it’s not ungrateful not to like what you are given. It is impolite to not say thank you for a gift, but you don’t have to like it. Presumably OP and MIL would rather the recipients did like it, hence the thread.

Interesting thread. I'd go for a gold sovereign for each of them. Keeps its value and they can always sell in future if they want specific jewellery.

Diamond studs also a nice idea for the girls, but won't keep value and not all women have / keep their pierced ears.

Crosses, St Christophers, pearl necklaces, signet rings, cuff links...all a bit too specific or dated.

Diamond studs for £650? No one will see them they will be so tiny! You certainly could get pre owned something and this will be better value than new. Art jewellery is difficult. Look at local makers and see whets about. The “Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair” has various locations (Wisley in November) and lists their exhibitors. Many have gold earrings for this price point or maybe a charm necklace.

My DDs in their 20s have watches. Hermes and Cartier. Younger people see them as jewellery and the cost of a good watch second hand is sky high! Of course people wear them and good ones are an investment, but £660 won’t get into that territory,

The other option, if grandma agrees. Is a LV purse . They remain collectable and useful.

Cufflinks for the boys is a nice idea; the DH reminded me over Xmas that he’s still using the onyx and silver cufflinks and shirt studs he inherited from his grandfather.

(We were going to a formal do; we don’t sit around casually talking about vintage jewellery.)

Yes. Much more sane idea. Buying expensive jewellery for the sake of it, in the hope that these kids will want to wear it when they're old enough seems nutty. It will most likely lose value.

Once again, your regular reminder on this thread that the insurance have paid out in VOUCHERS to be used in a jewellery shop.

It cannot be placed in an ISA or used in Tesco or to pay university fees.

Usually vouchers are limited to certain shops. No value to be had at all. You usually get more by taking the vouchers. The cash can be argued for but it will be a lot less.

Strange responses.

My 22yo DD was given a silver bangle by her great gran before she passed away 15 years ago. It came from a local jewellery designer and her nanny had a message engraved inside it. DD loves it and wears it regularly, along with a similar one she was given when she was christened. Both were plain & simple, classic designs which will never date.

If the girls have their ears pierced, diamond studs would be lovely. I was given a simple diamond on a gold chain for my 21st birthday (not Tiffany!) and still treasure it many years later.

Some of my younger male colleagues wear apple or galaxy watches but many do wear good quality midrange watches. They suit their professional image. I think you would be less likely to do so if your job could result in them getting damaged.

I'm in my 60s and I think unless it's a hugely expensive investment piece like a Rolex watches have had their day. Most young people want something multi -functional like a smart watch. Although I do know someone my age who wears a Rolex and a Fitbit simultaneously. He definitely has more money than sense.

I agree with diamond solitaire earrings for the girls and gold bars for the boys. Then on the off chance the boys would like a watch or an earring they can use the gold bars to buy them.