BY SAMANTHA CRITCHELL

AP Fashion Writer

NEW YORK

And there is so often a good, interesting and meaningful story since many people get or give jewelry to commemorate an event or send a message: A birthday or anniversary, a statement of love or gratitude. But, says stylist Annabel Tollman, a pendant, earrings or bracelet "are rarely exchanged because it's Tuesday."

Yet, she adds, they're items that can be worn each and every day afterward. Try that with a sweater.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

"We hear so often from clients their vivid memories when they speak of jewelry," says Jon King, executive vice president at Tiffany & Co. "Women immediately paint the picture of the moment they received a bracelet or ring. They'll say, 'I was at the restaurant. It was raining outside. My husband had the pasta and I had the meat.' They remember every detail."

And, then: "You'll hear young women who say, 'I remember every time my mother went out to an important occasion, she always wore those earrings or that bracelet. When the next person in line can be so fortunate to have it passed along, it comes with all the memories," King says.

There's also a trend toward shoppers buying their own celebratory jewelry, especially rings, when they achieve an accomplishment such as a promotion or graduation. It could make a child proud to wear such a symbolic item many years later, King says. (He says he thinks rings are popular because they can be seen by the wearer.)

Jewelry can be quite timeless in appearance. Unlike a fashion-driven item such as a dress or a handbag, the likelihood of vintage jewelry fitting into a modern wardrobe is strong, so the story of the piece doesn't ever have to end, says Sally Morrison, head of jewelry public relations of the World Gold Council.

"Jewelry is usually a part of life's most jubilant, happy moments. There's an aura of positive emotion."

'MYSTERY AND ROMANCE'

Morrison keeps her grandmother's simple gold wedding ring, and she has a charm that she made from her son's toe print when he was a baby. "Hopefully, his toe charm will someday go to his wife or child. It's comforting to know that," she says.