I gave a lot of my better jewelry to my son's gf while they were engaged and they got married and seem happy. I'm older and don't have reason to wear those things anymore, and my one daughter has ZERO use for things handed down from me.

I did put some stuff "aside" in case my other son gets married to his gf someday, though they seem content for now.

There was nothing "wildly valuable" in my collection in any event, and it's nice for a young person to get use out of it. Would have been more absurd for my son to buy jewelry new.

You should ask my MIL. I can see her right eyelid twitch every time my SIL laments certain gifts given to DH’s ex girlfriend. Unlike his older siblings he didn’t marry his long term partner.

Nothing wrong with giving something nice, but I wouldn’t give anything with sentimental value.

My own mother “gifts” sentimental things to her grandchildren through her own children. For example, I have been entrusted to hold on to certain pieces of jewelry, furniture and art for both my DD and DS until the “right” time, which means until they have children of their own. The point being, it never leaves the family and never becomes marital property.