Iris Denner: The Journey of Jewelry (My Choosing)

Jewelry has been given as gifts for monumental life experiences since the Middle Ages. It is symbolic of wealth and importance in society. It is frivolous, not something that everyone can afford (at least not good quality jewelry that's not from Amazon). Jewelry was given as coronation day gifts to queens, push presents for mothers, graduation gifts for college graduates, and conversion and baptism presents. Some jewelry has significance and meaning behind them, some are classic designs, others are religious symbols. These pieces hold symbolism and memories of life. They are durable but also can have wear and tear, displaying the life of the wearer after the life event in which it was gifted. These pieces work with the soul to create acceptance of the new life stage in which they entered. Later they become reflections of the past, showing the growth of the wearer through both memories and physical damage. Keeping memories of the past can place people at both a standstill, such as cases of PTSD but can also create movement through reflection of good memories and life lessons that one keeps for life, such as Dr. Redick’s traveling journey. People do not get rid of jewelry but rather turn them into family heirlooms, something that can be done with physical objects but not with memories held within the mind. It is a way to share the past with others, years after the death of a loved one. 

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