A Uniform of Hand-Me-Down Jewelry

Every day I wear the same pieces: a ring from my mother, a knock-off of Elsa Peretti's Diamonds by the Yard from my grandmother, my wedding band, and a pearl necklace from my husband. Wearing them feels ritualistic, almost superstitious — a way of keeping their presence close to my skin. As much as new jewelry tempts me, I can't bring myself to put it on, or to take these hand-me-downs off. They've become a uniform.