At the ripe age of 27, I found myself rummaging through my grandmother’s jewellery box.
For many girls, this is a rite of passage, albeit one that happens much earlier in their childhood. But my mother was a simple woman — she wasn’t interested in jewels, and she rarely even wore her engagement ring. I’ve always believed jewellery to be an unnecessary extravagance, a luxury reserved for special occasions.
Given my upbringing, it might seem like a hardsell to hear me now tell you to buy that jewellery piece. And no, it’s not just because I’m working at MADLY! Perhaps I have my grandmother to thank for that.
My grandmother lived an interesting life, and as a child, I was always fascinated by her stories — from wartime tales to the time she hosted the Queen, to the seaside dates she had with my grandfather on his Vespa.
One of my fondest memories is the weekly outings my brother and I had with my grandparents; one of my favourite excursions was to the Singapore Zoo. As soon as we stepped through the entrance, I’d pester her to take me to the reptile enclosure. My parents were not big fans of my fondness for snakes, and though she wasn’t either, she always obliged my repeated requests.
No matter the occasion, though, my grandmother would never be seen without her ‘jewel of the day.’ She especially loved brooches. Towards the end of her life, her arthritis made it hard for her to leave the house, and yet she made sure to at least have one ring on her finger.
We always celebrate the strong, independent women who buy their own jewellery (truly, it’s the biggest flex!), and she was exactly that. My grandmother’s collection was one she amassed on her own throughout the years, celebrating the small milestones along the way. And as all Chinese grandmothers somehow do, she also had a huge collection of Jade! Her engagement ring was the only ring that she allowed my grandfather to buy for her.
After her passing, I was given the said engagement ring — a simple Diamond solitaire with a pavé band. You could say it’s a humble piece; nothing flashy or big. But to me, it served as a tangible connection to the larger-than-life personality who had been such a big part of my life.
It was then that I realised that beyond its beauty or monetary worth, there lay the true intrinsic value of a jewel: its hold on to stories that transcend time. Its value to me wouldn’t change, even if the stone did.
There’s something profoundly beautiful about this cycle, where each piece of jewellery becomes a part of a larger narrative, carrying forward the essence of those who came before us. Plus, it helps that it’s wearable! And out of all of the things my grandmother left to us, her jewellery has the most meaning.
Funnily enough, my very first MADLY piece draws on one of the earlier memories I’ve mentioned, even though I never intended it to. It was meant to be just a fun piece, but now, whenever I look at it, I also think about how dearly I was loved and how she has shaped me to be the person I am today. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true!
So, if you’ve ever hesitated to indulge in that special piece, let me tell you — it’s worth it. I think about the day when I will pass these on to my own children (that is, if I have any!), sharing with them the stories I shared with their great-grandmother.
Meaning is at the heart of all our MADLY creations, be it family rings, engagement rings, or milestone jewellery. It’s a keeper of memories, a storyteller, and a bridge between generations. Embrace it, cherish it, and let it become a part of your story.