It started with a text.
My mom was clearing out the bathroom cabinets, decades since I had lived at home, in a frenzy to get the house guest-ready for visitors in 2023. She told me she was tossing everything and asked if I wanted to weigh in.
I didn’t even hesitate. Just dump it all, I said. After all, what could possibly be worth keeping?
Among the near-empty Bath & Body Works body mists, ancient makeup brushes, unopened Banana Boat SPF bottles, and middle school cheer scrunchies, she uncovered something harder to forget. Buried beneath it all was a small, tangled heap of tarnished jewelry tucked inside a clear plastic jewelry box with my name written across the lid in puffy paint.
Wait, wait. Don’t toss that! Can you clean them? I asked.
The box was a time capsule from a girl I could barely recognize. The puffy paint letters, once so carefully applied in my favorite color, were chipped and faded but still legible. A quiet reminder of who I once was and who I should still embrace today.
Rites of Passage
It was 1997. The little blue boxes surrounded the dessert table, nestled between platters of rugelach and chocolate-dipped strawberries. I was anxious to get my sticky fingers on them as soon as my Bat Mitzvah ended.
At almost thirteen, those treasures — silver, weighted, and shining — felt like a doorway into something new. Tiffany was the ultimate coming-of-age brand in the late 90s and early aughts, the gift of choice for girls stepping into a new role. Heart tags, chunky ball chain bracelets, and Elsa Peretti necklaces carried more than just shine. They promised a hint of responsibility and a touch of luxury. I didn’t know it at the time, but those little blue boxes would carry their weight well beyond the party.
Worn Well
After my mom soaked the pieces clean that day, the jewelry was ready for a new life. Decades later, they now mean something entirely different. The bracelets clink softly against my keyboard at work. The necklace catches the light when I glance in the mirror. They’re no longer relics of the past. They have settled into the present, part of my daily uniform. My jewelry MVPs. Reliable, unassuming, and irreplaceable.
And to think they were nearly tossed out with the bathwater. Priceless.
Here’s how I wear them now — each with its own flair.
Timed Perfection
How I Style: The Ball Bracelet in Silver 10mm layers seamlessly alongside the watch on my wrist. I love the harmony of the bigger ball chain and masculine-sized Michele watch that I scored years ago at Saks Off Fifth (they don’t make ‘em like they used to). They’re perfect companions.
Draped Effortlessly
How I Style: One of my recent favorite styling hacks is taking the Large Heart Tag Pendant with the heart from the Elsa Peretti® Open Heart Pendant, anchored by one of my grandmother’s starburst heirlooms. Together, they create a modern charm necklace that makes my heart flutter. Sometimes I wrap them with another vintage ball chain (a goodie from
, whose eye for vintage is unmatched and whose Substack is fabulous). Chef’s kiss.Extra Pizzazz
How I Style: My right arm is usually bare. But if I’m headed to an event or feeling a little spicy, I stack. Then I stack some more. Preferably hearts and plenty of silver.
I start with the iconic Mitzvah present, the Heart Tag Charm Bracelet, then add the Heart Tag Bead Bracelet that my husband gave me as a birthday gift, and finally, the vintage Tiffany’s heart link bracelet they’ve since discontinued (found a vintage one here). Three is the magic number. No more, no less.
Accessible Elegance
Wearing these pieces every day also got me thinking about Tiffany itself. The brand has always been aspirational, but in 1997, it struck a rare balance. Premium yet attainable.
Today, those same heart tags and chains are priced well beyond what most thirteen-year-olds or their parents would consider for a milestone gift. Yet Tiffany has continued to raise prices, keep its core customer, and attract a new generation.
A fantastically wild case study in pricing power and brand equity at work.
But beyond brands and prices, what really keeps me attached to these pieces is what they mean. I’ve always believed style and sentiment shouldn’t be defined by a price tag. Timeless jewelry is everywhere if you know where to look. Lucky for you, dear reader, I’ve done the hunting.
Here’s a powerhouse list of standouts, all under $200.
Little Archives
I’ve always loved jewelry for the meaning it holds. Each piece marks a moment, a version of yourself, a point in time you can feel when you put it on.
I saw this firsthand when I worked at Blue Nile. Customers would share why they were buying, whether for an engagement, an anniversary, or birthday, or simply because someone deserved something beautiful. Every purchase carried weight beyond the object itself.
That’s why I treasure my own pieces. They are not just silver and shine. They are little archives of memory, each one layered with meaning, waiting to be worn and remembered.
Which pieces in your own collection tell your story? Let’s discuss in the comments.
I am not the only one with a jewelry story. Here are some beautiful stories from other writers on Substack:
- tells a touching story of her client Abby and how jewelry can hold the love of generations.
- shares an honest story of loss, grief, and slowly rebuilding her jewelry box with care and meaning.
Instead of buying art,
writes about choosing jewelry over art as her most personal and lasting form of self-expression.
I loved this one, Evonne! The timing is really funny. I just took out some old jewelry about a week ago (one being the iconic Tiffany’s bracelet with the heart charm, my husband gave it to me while he was in the service, and the other my OG Pandora charm bracelet with charms from places like my honeymoon!). I tried cleaning them with a new jewelry cleaner I got on Prime Day. It wasn’t successful, but I’m determined to get them to a jeweler so I can wear them again.
I love that you were able to keep and resurrect your pieces. I REALLY admire the way you wear them now!!! So many good jewelry finds here. This was such a lovely read.
Oh man- sadly ALL my Tiffany pieces experienced the fate yours almost did. I have no idea where they all went. It’s so sad to think about actually!! I’m so happy you were able to salvage these!!