Lately, I've been browsing estate jewelery on ebay, and notice it comes primarily from dealers in retirement communities. There are notes attached, pathetic commentaries on lives, sometimes. "Her father purchased this set for her mother, and it was worn only three times in the past 40 years, for very special occasions." "Bought from a 90-year-old who has kept it in a safe deposit box since WWII, as new." These are things that people never WORE. They kept them for special occasions that never came. Where's the enjoyment in that? But that's what so many people do... They're so afraid of something happening to it they don't ever enjoy it. Or they put them aside for something special, and forget that right now can be special, too.
So, lately, I've been wearing my SCA jewelery, too. It's neat stuff (even if it is mostly costume jewelery), and deserves better than to sit in a box. And I've refound a few things like my grandmother's earrings, along the way. I a pair of them the other day. I'm finding it's remarkable fun. It's like playing dress-up, for no reason at all. Hmm, I think I'm onto something, there.