Oh gee, I may start buying for myself!

They don't like hand-forged looking stuff, but I bet they will as they get older.

I think I am going to check our local jeweler and maybe Pandora. I really like the tennis bracelet idea but I can't imagine a nice one is only 1k.

There's nothing more timeless than a single diamond or pearl or a fine gold(18k/24k)chain. Not jewelry, and of course it depends on *your* views, but when each of my kids graduated from 8th grade, we gave them a bible, engraved with their name/graduation date. This is something which can be given for any occasion.

If you don't go the tennis bracelet route, a bangle with diamonds is a nice option:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond--bangle-14k-yellow-gold_48288?elem=img&track=product

I like one of a kind stuffs Lots of choices here: http://www.sundancecatalog.com/category/handmade+jewelry/handmade+bracelets/artisan+bracelets.do

Wow, Boop, I really love that second stack ring you posted. I may have to start purchasing more hand-me-down jewelry.

Mtn, do your girls like wrap bracelets? The Chan Luu leather with metal or stones are still fairly popular here and they run around $300. I love all the traditional stuff too, but only you know what your girls will wear. I'm glad stolenidentify posted the sundance link. It's a favorite for browsing and some of the pretty artisan-made items, especially long necklaces and funky earrings. And yes, there is always a pretty Cartier box with something tucked inside.

Sometimes jewelry is to be worn, not gazed at in its velvet case lol! So an inexpensive tennis bracelet, or anything else, for that matter, may get worn more often, as in all the time, with less fear of loss. Then it becomes an heirloom itself, with their daughters wearing it "my mom wore this all the time. It's not valuable, but I love it"

I'm back. Jewelry is my hobby. ;)

I have this necklace and DD is always oogling it. I know she wants it, but she can't have it (until I die). This one is on the pricey end, but I bet you could find something similar elsewhere. I tend to wear it a lot because it goes with everything!

http://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/necklaces-pendants/elsa-peretti-diamonds-by-the-yard-necklace-24944514?fromGrid=1&search_params=p+1-n+10000-c+287465-s+5-r+101323351-t+-ni+1-x+-lr+0-hr+-ri+-mi+-pp+15728+22&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=&trackpdp=bg&fromcid=287465

Also, on the topic of Pandora: my DD has a Pandora bracelet and wears it all the time. Surprising to me, because I think with all the charms (she has maybe 8 or 10 charms now) it's heavy, and she is tiny. I have two pairs of Pandora earrings myself, and I have to say they are fantastic quality for "costume" jewelry. I think they're silver? But not even one bit of tarnishing or discoloring, and one of the pairs of earrings I've had for many years. These are the ones I bought for myself more recently. I think they're so cute!

http://www.pandora.net/en-us/explore/products/earrings/290583CZ

And now for something completely different.......

If your girls are the type who pull styles together with new, funky and vintage, consider getting them cameos. There are absolutely beautiful ones that can be worn as a pin or pendant. The softness of the colors and beauty of the carving makes some of them nice just to leave out on a dresser. They make good scarf pins for when they are older, and would be darling worn with a tweed jacket and jeans. They've been "out" long enough that they're long overdue for a comeback. You can get a very nice one for $700.....I would err on the larger side for size. A pretty 1.5 or 2 inch cameo could find life with many outfits over a lifetime. New or vintage, lots available.

Something I wear a lot of is enameled coin jewelry from different countries I've visited. I have a good bit of English and (now retired) Irish money that has been enameled in beautiful colors and set in a 14kt bezel to wear as a pendant. It's not super expensive $200 or so average so you could get a couple of them. Or if you got a dedicated chain for the piece you'd be comfortably within your budget for the gift.

http://www.coindesign.co.uk/products.php?cat=Coin%20Products&subcat=Pendants

adding, one of my favorite bracelets comprises silver victory dimes from each year of WWII (some multiples of the same year). You could have a bracelet made for them with dimes of each year of their lives, etc.

I was going to suggest Tiffany's diamonds by the yard. I got mine in the 70's when I was in my early 20's and would still wear it today at age 103 :-).

I also have the Cartier Love bracelet that was given to me in the 70's (that was a very good decade for me :-)). I haven't even looked at it in probably decades but it has too many memories for me to part with it. It is indeed a classic.

Boop, I love those stacking rings in the second pic!

I got a Pandora bracket and neckless for Christmas and I love them. They have every charm you can imagine. I think you should take a look at them. Here's mine!

So how many more years before they can wear the treasures you've been collecting?

I don't think Pandora would be considered as costume jewelry. For instance, their gold charm bracelet is 18c. They also use real gems I believe which costume jewelry doesn't have.

Mtn., have you thought of a dinner ring? The difference between a cocktail and dinner ring is the dinner ring is generally understated.

I gave my mom's dinner ring to my DIL, which will go to my GD. Mom wore it when she and dad went to nice restaurants.

This is what it looks like, I found one on ebay. You can buy them new of course at all prices.

Dinner Ring

Sorry Mom, but that jewelry box of traditional items sounds really boring to me and I doubt I would ever wear any of it. ( I have it all, btw, you are emulating my mother).

What about something a lot more fun and interesting? I love some of the jewelry at Sundance catalog.

One more thing, when you buy gems, make sure you research them and tell your girl's how to wear them. My birthstone is Peridot, not really a great color, but the ring I got for Christmas a few years ago was beautiful.

I wore it on my right hand constantly, that's how I am with jewelry if it's a classic design. Three months later my stone was dull as dishwater. I looked up Peridot and it is not meant to wear all the time.

An expensive live and learn moment.

I think the problem with trendier pieces is that this jewelry isn't meant to be worn for a few years yet, right? So if it's "in" now, it probably won't be by the time it's actually handed over to the wearer.

I do love the idea of a tennis bracelet with alternating birthstones. I am going to see if I can get one on etsy. thanks a lot Mtn.

if anyone is interested in that ring - not bad I think for $113. stack ring I really like the first one better. of course that one is about $550.

Kswl2. - I love cameos and they are sooo plentiful. I had never seen the enameled coins, though. Were your pieces custom from coins you provided or purchased through a jeweler similar to the site you linked? I asked because I have a fair collection of foreign retired coins I would like to use similarly.

What about a diamond station bracelet - kind of a junior tennis bracelet but can be worn so much more informally. I would never wear a tennis bracelet as it's way too ostentatious for me but a diamond station bracelet - I'd be all over that.

Link diamond station bracelet

I have pandora - I have the silver bracelet with all the charms but I also bought the leather strap which is much more casual and on it I wear a charm with a couple of the stoppers. The charm that I wear will be indicative of the event that I am attending or the person I am getting together with. (If I'm having coffee with my running buddies I wear the running shoe)

I read many responses but admittedly scanned the last bunch.

I wear trollbeads-- very similar to pandora (they are owned by brothers-- and actually an interesting story).. but not as often now as I did 5 yr ago. My nieces DO NOT like them. The youngest got on board for about a year-- but really, it was only because her mother and I wore them and she was a part of our gifting and shopping splurges from an even younger age. She has a (cute) bracelet of her own but never transitioned into actually wearing them. The other girls flatly do not like them. I admit, I have grown kind of tired of mine too.. the only one i wear now is all 14K beads, precious stones and glass. I retired the silver beads.

One thing I cherish is a charm necklace I designed myself from Heather Moore. They are pricey but I am certain there are options in the 500-1000 range. What I love about them is how personal they are.. you can have special dates, favorite sayings, initials, symbols .. pretty much whatever you want. I especially like the rings but I don't own one (pout pout).

My necklace was built over time.. sort of (I am not all that patient) I was going to describe my necklace but I think their gallery photos give a broader range of how they can be personalized. Mine has a subtle journey/travel theme.

Heather Moore Jewelry

I LOVE the vintage statue of liberty ring..

and Blfenton, I love that you change beads based on your event or the person you are going to be with!! It's very impressive! I used to change my bracelet by mood.. or very rarely by occasion. Since a lot of the trollbeads have meanings behind them (I assume Pandora is the same), I would sometimes swap out a bead that had deep personal meaning for a particular day or event. These days, I only change mine twice a year. Winter/fall I wear a black/brown/gold bracelet.. and in spring/summer I wear a turquoise/green/gold bracelet.

You could have your jeweler make a diamond by the yard necklace or bracelet and then you could add more diamonds for each birthday. I think diamonds on a white gold chain would be more youthful than the traditional line bracelet. And it would be very easy for the jeweler to find additional stones that match, have them bezel set and add them to a chain.

If you decide on studs you can always have them converted to screw backs. When DH gave me larger diamonds I gave my smaller ones to DD and had both pairs converted to screw backs.

Delilah, you can send your own coins to be enameled. I haven't done it, I purchased all mine in jewelry shops abroad.

The cuff links are gorgeous, and might be a good gift for Mtn to give her son :-)

Gold lockets on gold chains.

large wooden jewelry boxes.

The mention of coins made me think of a piece I bought recently, along with two chains (one gold, one silver). Designed by a lady in NOLA, the chains have "clips" on the end so you can change vignettes. She makes them from coins, lockets and more. Sennod Jewelry. A local antique store sells near me, but you can purchase online also. Google to find more offered on other websites, since they are one-of-a-kind.

Thank you, kswl.

Mtn, kswl had a good point about your son. I for one would love to hear whether you have a similar scheme for him. I have a granddaughter and a grandson. He is so much harder to provide mementos for than she is.

Concha belts! Beautiful, wearable, made in the USA. There are so many styles that you can easily find something to suit each girl's taste.

Or a Tiffany Key necklace? I've always liked them-- I prefer the more delicate designs.

The Elsa Peretti open hearts at Tiffany's are beautiful pieces. I have a medium in gold. Large is huge and small is tiny. They also are available in silver.

Allison, they have those already, i love them too.

Funkyart, that was what i got them last year!

Renovator girl, last year we were in Buenos Aires and I got them belts just like that (the gaucho look). I love them.

Delilah, this tradition grew out of a need to solve the problem of what to get them for their birthdays, just weeks after Christmas. My son has the good taste to have a summer birthday. Just the same, my DH has some traditions about what he gives him every year. But it reminds me, I used to give my godson a gold coin every year. I could do that. I also used to give my DS a few shares of stock in something every year, but I folded it all into a managed fund for compliance reasons.

Allison, I love the Sennod stuff!

JMC, They have lockets already. The Jewelry box will be on their 16th. My sister and I have very pretty ones by dad made for us out of walnut, lined in blue velvet. Hers is too big for her so she will give my DD one and I will give my other DD mine.

KSWL, I like the cuff link idea. But being the daughter of a hobby numismatist, I don't know if i could enamel a coin.

Maire, I like the diamond by the yard idea, but it's a bit more than I planned on spending. Will give it some thought. As for studs, I didn't mean that theyslip out, I meant they are easy to loose because they are small. My studs are not screws but the back is very hard to get off; totally safe imho. Same with some Cartier earrings I have; you need to squeeze the sides to slide the back off.

Funkyart, I have never asked them about Pandora. I like it, though. The Heater Moore stuff is great. It would take me forever to decide!

BlFenton, i like the station tennis bracelet, very pretty!

CRL, yes, that is a problem with my scheme! That is why I aim for timeless. Whatever that is.

Oakley, I really like Peridot. Who would have guessed? I do know that when my sister had an elderly relative's diamond ring appraised, she was told it was "worn too often" and ruined. Diamonds are such a rip off.

Bumblebeez, Oddly, their taste is not Sundance-y, even though mine is. They want "grown up, real" jewelry. They already have some costume stuff they buy with friends and wear. But they really like the traditional stuff, too.

Oakley, I like Pandora a lot. Now I've learned two terms; dinner rings and cocktail rings. The issue with rings is they need to be ones that can be sized, and so many styles I like can not.

Jab, Those are so pretty. Love the color.

CindyMac, 3yr and 4yrs (they are only 54 weeks apart).

LOL, Marlene. I want to buy the one DD that Cartier bracelet in the worst way, but I am trying to be reasonable. Frankly one DD is totally responsible and I think she'd have it forever. The other DD seems to leave something at home every day she goes to school (if it's not her instrument, it's her cleats; if it's not her cleats, it's her homework; if it's not her homework, it's her phone .... you get the picture!). I always spend equally, so if I splurge I need to be mentally prepared that one will have it as a heirloom and the other one will leave it in the girls lockers at an away game 100 miles from home. : )

KSWL, I have cameos from my Mom. I agree they are lovely and traditional and Boho, too. My girls, who have seen mine, didn't catch the bug. But you have reminded me I want to find a way to wear the ones i have.

SueB, Diamonds by the yard are gorgeous, perfect and timeless. I think I will talk to my local jeweler about them. I have bought them several things from Tiffany but unless it is one of a kind from them I try not to, assuming i can get better value if I forego that luscious box!

BP, I see your point. My favorite items are not necessarily the dearest.

Outside, the Chan Luu is too trendy I think. They also have a costume version of it.

Jp, that is nice!

Pattycakes, We got them Mikimoto pearls when we went to Japan, but a diamond pendant is a nice idea; not sure if it's in my budget. But as they get older I will continue this tradition, and once they are 21 or so I would entrust them with pricier items so it'd good to have these in mind!

The inscribed bible is wonderful, but we are not part of any organized religion. For us, it would be an inscribed Oxford English Dictionary (the condensed one) when they graduate HS.

I am planning to go to our local jeweler and hit up Pandora in person tomorrow.

Funky, you need to stop and desist on the mention of Heather Moore jewelry! Every time you mention it, I look it up, spend far too much time drooling and deciding what I'd buy if I wanted to spoil myself... and now I'm gonna do it for real, I think. I have been working my butt off lately and making more money than I typically do at my little part time job, and I was just telling DH that I am ready to buy myself something special. I think I am going to buy either a necklace or bracelet, and one or two charms! (Need to see how it adds up first.) It will be an easy thing for DH to add to, as well. ;)

But this is all your fault, Funky.

you will have to post your bounty!

Lol sue! I started mine as a reward for a work accomplishment too!! I currently have 4 charms. I would love to give you some insight and tips before you go too far into it. I don't think I have your email anymore -- if not I'll send a note via houzz.

i am so excited for you!!

When a DF's daughter graduated from high school I bought this for her. I really think it's pretty.

http://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/necklaces-pendants/tiffany-beads-necklace-10579333?fromGrid=1&search_params=p+1-n+10000-c+287465-s+5-r+-t+-ni+1-x+-lr+-hr+-ri+-mi+-pp+16387+30&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=&trackpdp=bg&fromcid=287465

I like coin jewelry as well I have a gold liberty fifty dollar coin on gold chain and a silver dollar with silver chain. They always look great with a black turtleneck sweater.

If your girls are at all nautical, sterling signal flag charms on a silver chain or bracelet can be fun. They can spell their names with signal flags, or use flags that have special meanings. When I was pregnant with our third child, friends gave me two signal flags from Tiffany's----one means "I am carrying dangerous explosives on board" and the other was "keep clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty." :-)

Lyban, what a wonderful treasure you have in your mother's bracelet. I especially love that the nickels have special dates.

Kswl.. I absolutely love the signal flag charm bracelet-- and what a hoot your friends were!! I must make one for myself-- and a few other women in my circle!

You mentioned your daughters would like a Cartier Love Bracelet. I have one in white gold. It is timeless but they are way out of the price range you described. They are $6700 new and $5000 pre-owned. I do love it though and wear it every single day. I would actually like another but they keep increasing the prices! In that price range my suggestion would be for a small bracelet they can layer with the Love when they get it. Most people do wear them layered.

Nina, There is a version of the Love bracelets that my DD likes with a diamond that is about 2k. She saw it in their flagship store when i was getting batteries replaced for my watches. The more traditional ones start at $4500 if it is not a full bangle, and then go on up. Talk about product line extension! I have a ring and earrings too in that motif.

KSWL, LOL!

Holly, very nice!

Lyban, that is pretty and so sweet!

My father collected gold coins and my mother had several necklaces, as do I. For some reason I can't post photos (chrome aborts when i try to upload), but one thing I have is a $10 Indian Head gold coin. My mom had one when I was a teen. I wore it and lost it. I always felt bad about that. When I got my first real job, I replaced hers and bought myself one too.

There will be plenty of jewelry with stories, mine, my mom's, my grandmothers, etc when the time comes. I don't think I can come up with "story jewelry" every year!

BTW, i have bought the girls' gifts. I usually buy them both the same things, slight variations, but these are totally different. I won't post them because it's a secret.

But carry on and enjoy the chat! : )

Oh Mtn.. are you really going to tease us with not even a hint!!?? ;)

I am sure they'll love whatever you selected.. and the tradition!

Maybe pricey, what about diamond hoop earrings?

I also love the idea of of kswl's of coins from other countries; I have some made into earrings and bracelets and they are beautiful.

I only rarely ever wear jewelry, but I love the coloring in black opals and also amber with either embedded insects or plant parts have always been fascinating

I haven't read all the responses, so I don't know what you thought about the coin jewelry, but with all your travels, wouldn't it be cool to have bracelets with coins from your travels? SueB, I am surprised about your daughter and Pandora. I don't think I've seen a younger gal wearing one. I have one but only my bracelet is Pandora brand. I like unique, so most of my beads/charms are custom or etsy type purchases. I have always had some type of a charm bracelet so trendy doesn't matter to me, but I do think the Pandora trend is slowing down. Not sure what your daughters will think when you actually give them these gifts. I do think some of the items mentioned may be "out" or may not appeal to your girls when they are 16. I rec'd jewelry at certain milestones, 16, 18 and after becoming engaged - all from my parents. They are certainly precious keepsakes!

Tina, We 'give" them the gifts every year, they just cannot wear them until they are 16. They just love the things they have already, but as they get older and start to have their own style it gets harder!

Yes, I understood that and yes, I imagine it would!

I think the gifts that mtn has shared with us are all timeless and classic-- imo, these are perfect gifts from parents or other loved ones. Of course it's getting tougher as the girls grow and develope their own styles.. some of which will carry on into their adulthood and some of which will go to that place where many of our teen and early adulthood styles went. I still adore bright colored bandannas worn "hazel style" but I no longer wear them outside of my own home. A silly analogy but my point is that our style isn't always timeless. The classics will always carry forward.. and I sure wish I had a jewelry box of special pieces given to me through the years. I am grateful to have a few special pieces from my grandmothers and my mother. I am sure they cherish the gifts.. and will continue to for all their years.. and their children's years.

As the oldest child, I have received some of the better and more "important" pieces. I have my paternal grandmother's diamond ring (my birthstone) and my maternal grandmother's first, very thin and tiny gold wedding band. I adore them both and wear them regularly. I also had (arggg) the first piece of jewelry my dad gave my mom. I am admitting here, now, for the first time that I lost the necklace. I keep thinking I should have it remade and I think by admitting it here in the open, I will commit to it. It's time I start thinking which of my special pieces I will give to each of my nieces... and when.

(I still wish we had a hint, darn it! ;) )

Very, very late suggestion: what about a gold square locket? Difficult to find, and if you find one, let me know... (Round and oval are easy to find!)

This thread is 6yrs old...an update on the girls would be fun. They could be 16 by now and allowed to wear their treasure trove!

Since this 6-yr-old thread resurfaced, I'd comment in case MtnRd is continuing with the tradition. May I suggest saving the Tiffany Diamonds by the Yard as a custom gift for each daughter when she has a child of her own, your grandchild!

You can have the necklace made with the baby's birthstone in the middle, and then diamonds on either side. My DIL loved both necklaces made for her, with 3 diamonds on each side of the birthstone, three on one side represented Mother, Maternal Grandmother, and Maternal Grandfather. The three diamonds on the other side represented Father, Paternal Grandmother, and Paternal Grandfather.

The necklaces are not the least ostentatious (if the stones aren't too big), and can be worn with casual clothes. She loved the first one so much, I had another made to celebrate the birth of her second child.

Yes, indeed, the tradition continues! And my girls still love it. If I had to start over, I would make that age 18 not 16! Or maybe 21. Or 30. Their items average almost 1000 a piece and so that is a lot of responsibility for them, because in addition to buying fine jewelry for birthdays we bought them things on our travels, too.

The other thing I have learned is that there is no such thing as timeless. Pretty much.

They have different styles now but both count several pieces in their collection as faves. One DD always wears a ring I gave her; the other almost always wears a certain necklace. Then they have pieces they wear for special occasions, etc.

Since it comes up, I wanted to mention Mejuri, which I read about on this forum. I bought several things from them but sent most of it back. Very very tiny and very delicate/thin. Too bad as they had such cute designs! YMMV