Miss Manners: My father-in-law gave me a pricey necklace I don’t even like

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Years ago, my father-in-law gave me a necklace, totally unexpectedly. It was one of many pieces of jewelry he had given to his wife, who had died years prior. He also gave some pieces to other members of the family.

The necklace is not something I enjoy wearing; it gets all tangled up and I have to get it fixed each time I wear it. Meanwhile, my sister-in-law is not happy with the diamond earrings she received, which she mentions occasionally.

Should I just give the necklace to her? The last time I had it assessed, they said it was worth about 39,000.

GENTLE READER: About 39,000 what?! Miss Manners hopes you mean rupees or pesos, or that you added too many zeros.

If the monetary value is truly inconsequential to you, by all means, give it to your sister-in-law. She would be forever in your debt.

Judith Martin

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