Wills

Thirty years ago I inherited my grandmother's emerald ring, and had it valued for insurance purposes at £2000. I hit hard times having to pay the mortgage and double child care in one month and had no choice but to sell it - I got £400. Was so desperate I had to take it, but viewed jewellery in a different light after that experience.

I am pleased I have nothing of value to leave except maybe my engagement ring and both my DD and DiL sport much bigger rocks on their fingers.

Valuations can be a nightmare as for probate purposes they are based on what they could be sold for as opposed to what they would cost to replace ie buy. So the concept of equal value can be a tricky one. Jewellery also goes in and out of fashion as those of us who watch the Antiques Roadshow know and do monetary value is affected. I also wonder if what we treasure in our jewellery really would be treasured by other females in the family as much as we think? Tricky one

Letter of wishes is easier. I have suggested that DD allows others to choose any thing that want, but at her descretion. If you go along the lines you suggest there's all sorts of problems eg valuations etc. Keep it simple to administer.

Our solicitor advised putting individual bequests in a letter of wishes attached to our Wills as in her experience many people choose to make gifts to family in their lifetime or simply change their mind. Made sense to us. I can imagine over time preferring to give specific items to those who particularly like and value them and so can easily make changes accordingly. Having said that I have little jewellery that has huge monetary value, most is of sentimental value. Having said that a childless friend who has a large collection of very valuable jewellery was strongly advised to list all in her Will, if possible making photographs available for clarity.

I think leave the jewellery as an additional gift. Otherwise your DD may well prefer the money equivalent! Jewellery is so personal!

Our DD will get my jewellery.

Our boys will get something more 'Male' as specific gifts. Will you leave something to your dil?

I have several pieces of reasonable jewellery, probably none worth huge amounts. My DD has one daughter, and my son has one daughter also. I used to think DD would have my jewellery, but now expect to leave some to GD from son, as the other GD would eventually inherit it all. Some of the jewellery was my mother’s, and DD is the only one who that means anything to.
Of course eventually it could be sold or whatever, I won’t know about it though!

I wouldn’t think that was necessary unless you have extremely valuable jewellery and expect your daughter to sell it. Would you hope she would keep and wears it? If so, don’t try to second guess how much money she would get for it and see it as a personal gift.