My sister and I have been looking at a lot of the family’s old jewelry lately.  We are the only two relatives who care about our past relative’s trinkets and baubles.  We don’t mind really, some of the pieces are very memorable and I couldn’t stand to part with them.  My Grandmother for instance always wore jewelry and there are a few pieces that to this day just put a smile on my face and I think of her when I come across them.

There are other pieces though, (most from an older cousin who did not want any of his mother’s jewelry when she passed away) that my sister and I are not very fond of and there is no sentimental value.  We’ve been considering the sale of these items and came up with what we think is a great idea. 

We have heard where shops are offering cash for gold.  We’ve had several pieces unofficially appraised and have been told that the only value in the rings, bracelets and necklaces is the gold itself.  Many of the pieces have gemstones and we’ve been told that there is no real value to the gems.   These appraisers sell gold for a living and have given us a fair price for the lot.  In return, my sister and I are opening a checking account that will help with incidental education expenses for 3 young family members.  It isn’t much, but I believe that our departed relatives would really like this idea:  helping their grand or great grandchildren with education expenses, rather than having this jewelry rattle around in one of our dresser drawers.