Passed Down

Across cultures, I’ve noticed that jewelry marks love and celebration. But in Indian culture, our relationship to jewelry carries a different depth. We think in generations. Pieces aren’t chosen only for today—they’re chosen with the next in mind. Gold, gemstones, designer bags, even shawls are collected with the intention that one day they will be passed on. It’s an expression of care, continuity, and the desire to leave something meaningful behind.

I grew up inside this world. Even as a child, I wore small pieces of fine jewelry every day. For many Indians, that’s just life. Jewelry doesn’t sit apart from our stories; it reflects them. It marks our milestones, carries our blessings, and quietly holds the memory of the women who came before us.

Some of my strongest memories come from the communal side of it. When my cousin got married, all the women in my family crowded into my grandmother’s room. We laid our jewelry out on her bed like a shared treasure box—trying pieces on, swapping them, deciding who would wear what. It was loud, warm, and full of laughter. No one was thinking about “oh, this is mine”; we were thinking about how to make one another feel beautiful. That sense of togetherness—of preparing, sharing, and celebrating as a group—is something uniquely Indian, and it has stayed with me.

In today’s world, jewelry can feel extravagant or unnecessary. Many choose experiences or practical luxuries instead. Yet, for me, jewelry carries a quiet weight. It holds my roots, connects me to my family and traditions, and gathers the stories of everyday life. It moves with us, is worn and remembered, and becomes part of something larger than the moment itself.

Looking back, I see how deeply my culture has shaped my appreciation of jewelry, and how fortunate I am to have been introduced to it in such a meaningful way. It becomes part of your life—and part of the lineage you pass forward.

 

Photo Credit: La Dichosa