By Tori Goodrich

In my practice, I work with clients that may be changing their living situation such as moving or downsizing.  This process always entails going through items in their home to keep, sell, toss, or give away.

So, let’s talk family jewelry.  In situations where someone has passed and no one is sure where the jewelry came from or if the piece is valuable or not, it can become a very sensitive topic.

So, here is my request.  If you, your parents, or other family members have jewelry that has a story or a memory, please ask them to write it down and put it with the item. This keeps the memories alive and allows is history to live on.

Get the items appraised. Look for someone neutral.  Most reputable jewelry stores have an appraiser on staff or you can find an independent appraiser through the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.

If the item is worth more than $1500 don’t open a new insurance policy, just take the description from the appraiser and the receipt and add it to your existing policy with a rider.

Please, wear these pieces. It does them no good to sit in a drawer or box. Enjoy them.  I have a watch that was given to me by my great aunt when I was very young.

I do not know where it came from except that she traveled the world in the 1920s where she bought it somewhere on her travels abroad.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know the story behind this one of a kind piece?

______

Tori Goodrich is a life, business and professional; What Should I Do Now coach. She is also the co-owner of Gener8tional Connections helping companies work through the great divide. Visit her on the web at www.victoriagoodrich.com, or reach her via email at tgoodrich@vista.today.

.

.

.

_____

Top photo credit: marcoverch Alte Taschenuhr und moderne Armbanduhr aus Titanium vor weißem Hintergrund via photopin (license)