Real stories · The necklace with my own initial on it

The little heart necklace with my initial on it — the first piece of jewellery in years that feels like mine

A necklace that felt like it was actually mine — not just a nice chain that could belong to anyone — that's what I realised I'd been missing. I'm 67, and over the years my jewellery box has filled up with perfectly pleasant, perfectly anonymous things. Presents chosen in a hurry, pieces that go with everything and mean nothing. I'd put one on, look in the mirror, and feel absolutely nothing at all.

What I wanted was something small and personal — the kind of piece you wear every day until it becomes part of you.

Then I found the Emmeline from a British label called York Boutique — a little heart pendant that comes with your own initial on it, any letter from A to Z. I ordered the J, for Janet, obviously.

It's the initial that does it. The pendant is a small gold-coloured heart with the letter set into it and a scattering of tiny stones that catch the light when you move — noticeable without being loud. It's light, so it doesn't drag or swing or need adjusting all day; half the time I forget it's on until someone mentions it. And someone does mention it, because an initial invites the question. 'J for...?' is now how at least three conversations a week begin.

It's a small gold-coloured heart with a J on it — my J — and little stones that catch the light. Light enough to forget I'm wearing it, personal enough that I never want to take it off.

My granddaughter spotted it first and demanded to know why I'd never told her my name starts with J, which tells you something about how often grandmothers get called by their actual names. I've already ordered a second one — an E for my daughter Emma's birthday — because at this price it's the rare present that manages to be personal without being expensive.

It was £19.95 in the summer sale, half the usual £40. I'd checked before ordering that I could send it back if it disappointed — you can, within a fortnight, and the delivery's free — but it hasn't left my neck since the box was opened.

If your jewellery box is also full of pleasant, anonymous things, do treat yourself to a look — or quietly solve a birthday. The Emmeline is rated 4.8 out of 5 by more than 300 women, it's £19.95 in the summer sale instead of £40 — half price — and the common initials always seem to go first.