Should you say jewelry was gift from former flame?
Q: Your partner compliments a piece of jewelry you have — it was a gift from an old relationship. Should you tell your current partner?
A: Context in this scenario matters. Has your ex been an issue for your current partner, even though the past relationship doesn’t give cause for concern? If so, don’t volunteer the information; why cause your partner to question why you’re wearing the jewelry? If your current partner has no issues with your old relationships, casually mention where you got the piece and move on.
If you really want to share that it’s from an exlover, ask yourself why you feel the need to share so much with your current partner. Are you looking for attention? Are you trying to make your partner jealous? Or are you simply being honest about the gift?
Bottom line: Since your partner didn’t even ask where you got the jewelry, less is more when it comes to what you share.
— Andrea Syrtash, relationship expert
A: If your partner compliments you on a piece of jewelry that was a gift from an ex, keep it simple. “Thank you” is a complete sentence and a comprehensive response to a compliment.
If your partner asks where you got it, or if the jewelry has special meaning, you might want to ask yourself the same thing.
Jewelry from an ex is not going to make a current partner feel confident. You may think it’s just a nice accessory, but to your partner, that piece of jewelry from your ex represents your connection to a past that your current partner is not a part of. And that can make a new partner feel excluded, competitive, jealous or even insecure.
Is the jewelry from an ex worth putting a damper on a current relationship or a new partner’s feelings? Consider putting that jewelry into a safe-deposit box, selling it or giving it away.
Unless the piece is from an ex with whom you have children who might one day appreciate the jewelry, let it go and move on.
— April Masini, relationship and etiquette expert