The One Piece of Jewelry I Change Every Week

How my 97 year old grandmother inspired me to build a wedding ring collection of my own.

Dear Reader,

I married my husband on October 15th, 2015, in front of 43 people.

Somewhere there is a photo of (my grandmother) Dorsey and I sitting under an olive tree having a cocktail together just after I said my vows. In it she’s wearing a floor length gown and three stacked diamond bands on her ring finger that I’d never seen before. When I asked her about them she simply said, oh these? I’ve had them for years. Just when I thought I’d seen every “wedding ring” she owned. I hadn’t.

Dorsey never wore the same ring on her wedding ring finger. Depending on the day, her mood, what she was wearing…she changed her ring (or her layers of rings). Throughout 73 years of marriage she changed her wedding ring. Often.

I have never had a traditional view of engagement and wedding rings because of her. Her take on how to wear jewelry, including wedding rings, wasn't limited by what the jewelry industry marketed to her.

All rings below are Dorsey. I have the benefit of trying on (and wearing) every new ring that we produce. Some I buy for myself and others I only wear test prior to release.

I am not linking to any of these rings because the point of this substack column is not to prompt you to purchase the rings we design at Dorsey (or to replace a ring you love). It’s simply my version of how I wear my own jewelry.

Dorsey and my grandfather, Howard, who she was married to for 73 years. At 97 years old, he still called her babe.

All my very best,

Meg

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Dinner last Friday evening with my family. I opted not to wear a ring at all.