How To Start a Jewelry Tradition

Traditions, whether small or large, simple or elaborate, serve as lasting bonds that tie people together. Family traditions are the most common, but many groups of friends and even businesses have cherished traditions too. The reason behind our love for traditions can be explained by the joy and warmth we feel when sharing our traditions with those important to us. A yearly pilgrimage to cut down a Christmas tree, weekly Shabbat dinner, or an annual girl’s spa weekend create beautiful memories of enjoying time with our favorite people.

In many families or groups of friends, important jewelry traditions are established. Jewelry traditions are a beautiful, lasting way to make meaningful connections with loved ones. If you don’t have a jewelry tradition yet, or want fresh ideas on how to incorporate another jewelry tradition into your life, we have a list of simple ways to start and nurture your very own.

Choosing a Jewelry Tradition

A jewelry tradition can be started for any number of things, but usually runs parallel to important life events. For example, a family might gift each of their daughters with a pair of pearl or diamond stud earrings when she turns eighteen, either as a graduation present or a congratulatory gift for being accepted into the college of her choice. Or, for a girl’s thirteenth birthday, her parents might allow her to get her ears pierced and treat her to a pair of stud earrings set with her birthstone. Here are some ideas for jewelry traditions to consider:

Family Jewelry Traditions

• Passing down a piece of jewelry that has been in the family for the daughter to wear in her wedding.

• Starting a necklace with charms that represent each child, given after the first is born.

• Giving a Star of David necklace to each son as his Bar Mitzvah gift.

• Buying each grandchild a gold cross for their communion or confirmation.

• Passing down heirloom diamond rings from previous generations for the son or daughter to use as an engagement ring.

• Every birthday, in lieu of a pile of presents, choose one meaningful piece of jewelry that your son or daughter can keep forever.

Friend Jewelry Traditions

• A group of girlfriends can pool their funds and buy each friend in the group a cocktail ring for her 21st birthday.

• Friends who can give expectant mothers an engravable necklace that can be personalized with the name of the baby once he or she is born.

How To Keep the Tradition Alive

To ensure that the tradition continues to perpetuate, it’s important that the jewelry gift and the reason behind the tradition is thoroughly explained.  Writing down the meaning behind the gift in a keepsake card is a wonderful way to preserve the depth behind the gesture, and can be passed down to future generations along with the gift. Finally, make sure to explain that your wish is for the tradition you’ve started to be continued in the family (or group of friends). By following these steps, you can begin a beautiful tradition that lives on long after you are gone; keeping the love and your memory alive.

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Earrings for the Bride

Traditionally, the bride and groom exchange gifts for each other on their wedding day.  These gifts can range from the silly and absurd to the extravagant, depending on the couple’s personalities and financial situation. For most couples, the groom receives a gift like cufflinks or a watch and the bride receives a gift of jewelry.

Earrings in particular are a wonderful choice for a gift to the bride. There are so many options, styles and price ranges that the perfect pair can be matched to any budget and as well as personal taste. To find the perfect pair of earrings to give to your bride, always take into consideration the desired price range, her taste in jewelry, and the style of your wedding (if you are buying earrings for her to wear during the wedding).

Pretty in Pearls

Though some grooms think that high prices will prevent them from affording a beautiful pair of earrings, lovely options exist in all price ranges. Grooms on a budget should consider gifting their brides with a timeless pair of simple pearl studs. A pretty set of cultured pearl studs set in 14k gold can be found for $75. Pearls are a classic choice for wedding earrings and are so versatile that they can be worn with almost anything. They look just as nice with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt as they do with a wedding gown.

If your bride likes jewelry that makes a dramatic statement, consider choosing drop pearl and diamond earrings.  The look is classic and elegant but still packs a visual punch.

Diamonds for the Big Day

Diamond earrings are another great choice for a wedding day gift. Not only will they will last a lifetime, they will likely be passed down in your family for generations to come. Like with pearl earrings, the price range varies quite a bit, all depending on the size, color, and carat of the stone. If your price range is between $2,000 to $2,500, a one carat (total weight) diamond and white gold pair of earrings will take her breath away.

For a more economical, but equally pretty, way to give her diamonds, choose a pair of studs in an alternate gemstone that is surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Round diamond and peridot earrings will add a pop of color to her look and really compliment green eyes. Or, surprise her by getting her something blue for the big day: a striking pair of emerald cut sapphire and diamond earrings with vintage appeal.