Buy Souvenir Jewelry and Wear Your Memories All Year Round

Souvenirs can be wonderful reminders of a lovely vacation, or piles of junk which take up space and were a waste of money. Before heading out on your next vacation, think through what souvenirs you will shop for, what you can afford, and what will fit in your travel bag. One of the most practical purchases is jewelry, either for yourself or as gifts for others.

All that glitters can be golden.
Jewelry is the simplest and most fun gift to shop for, and to wear when you get home. Every time I wear those dangly wooden earrings I bought in Fiji, I remember the traditionally built, friendly Fijian woman sitting with her wares along the edge of the beach. Did she make them? I doubt it. She may have bought the wooden beads and put them together, or just got them in bulk from a place far away, but I don't care. They are pretty to wear, and remind me of the golden sand and blue water of the Fijian Islands.

Souvenirs on your ears.
My jewelry collection has silver earrings from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, blue Larimar stone earrings from St. Thomas in the American Virgin Islands, amber from Poland, pearls from Tahiti, and are a collection of memories to hang on my ears. I have also done my holiday and birthday shopping for friends and family by buying a collection of earrings in similar style but each different. In places like Mexico or South Africa, buying a lot in one store gets you in a good bargaining position to make a good deal.

Souvenirs around your neck.
A person's taste in necklaces can vary, so be aware if big and chunky like a kokua nut necklace from Hawaii is something you or your friends would enjoy wearing. This is hard to predict, as I bought a whole bunch of very inexpensive wooden necklaces at the Indian Market in Durban, South Africa, thinking they would be great for the young people on my gift list. I found that the moms also wanted one each, so I was fortunate that I had bought plenty. I even had one left over for myself, and I love wearing it.

One of my first souvenir gifts was sent to me by an auntie a few years after we had moved away from Liverpool, England. I was young, and it was one of my first nice pieces of real jewelry. It has always been a very sentimental item in my jewelry box, as it is a silver charm of the liver bird with a fish in its mouth. This is the symbol of the founding of the city, which sits atop the Liver building. Another small gold elephant charm on a chain is from South Africa, and is a favorite for several reasons. I pointed it out to my daughter in a shop in Richard's Bay in South Africa, as I love elephants, and she gave it to me for Christmas just a few days later.

Italian glass beads and mosaics.
The island of Murano, Italy in Venice is known for Murano glass, beautiful bowls, vases, and glasses which would be difficult to get home, but they also use these glass techniques for jewelry. Glass is heated and melted into lovely beads for necklaces and earrings. The quality and cost varies widely, from beautiful large beads in elaborate necklaces, to very inexpensive strings. The beads are individually made and vary slightly, giving that hand crafted look. Florence, Italy has a wealth of jewelry in every price range. For something simple and unusual, choose a pin or earrings in a mosaic design made of small pieces of glass.

For the real thing, go to a real store.
Choosing something valuable as a souvenir may also make sense, as buying from the source for some items such as pearls from Tahiti, or opals from Australia can be a bargain. However, it is usually best to go to a reputable store for these items. But, what about those tourist shops crowded along the beach front, or the peddlers carrying their wares along the sand? Assume the peddler does not have the resources to buy "real" jewelry. In that case it is best to choose something you like and will enjoy wearing without regard to its monetary value.

There are duty free stores which are reliable places to buy genuine gold, silver, or gemstones. St. Thomas in the American Virgin Islands has a street full of stores selling jewelry to the thousands of tourists who arrive on the cruise ships. These stores seem to be selling their jewelry at reasonable prices, although they vary from place to place and everything always seems to be "on sale" somewhere. The cruise ships have agreements promising discounts and good deals, and many will give a guarantee of value.

Memories in your jewelry box.
When you head off on vacation, think about the local jewelry you might find. If you are heading to the Southwestern states, think of the lovely turquoise and silver of the Native American craftsmen. If you are heading to Mexico you will find lovely silver work, but also lots of pretty costume jewelry. Wherever you go, have fun doing your holiday shopping or souvenir shopping, but make sure you buy extras. And when you get home, keep your favorite for yourself. You'll enjoy your memories each time you wear it.