Jewelry

[abbycat]

I was divorced 6 years ago, after a 40 year marriage, bought a condo (very little storage space), and had to rent a storage unit for all the "stuff" until I got it all cleaned out. I'm in the process of doing that right now. I bring 2 boxes home each week and go through them. I was an only child and only grandchild, so everything came down to me. One of the boxes I brought home this week is chock full of very old, gold, jewelry, from my mother, and both grandmothers. Some could be from great grandmothers, but I don't know that. There is every possible type - bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pins, rings and a lot of them have gems or pearls in them. I remember seeing my grandmothers wear some of these things but it's been a long time since they've both been dead for a very long time. I have no idea how much this is all worth, but it was sure a surprise. My grandfather was a gemologist and a watchmaker and had his own store in Lancaster, PA until the Depression.

After I go through everything, and after Christmas, I'm going to take all the jewelry to a jeweler in town - they've been there for generations, have beautiful things, and are known for their honesty - no pushyness. I'm going to leave it all with them and see what it is worth, let them have it to either resell it or melt it down, taking the gems and/or pearls out first. There's a real ivory cameo bracelet, earrings and necklace, so who knows how old that is as they can't use real ivory anymore.

I am really surprised at all this and it couldn't have come at a better time with the economy the way it is.

abby