Sometimes a family memento is just one more thing to keep for keepings sake; other times it holds the weight of memories and then, when its really special, it becomes a portal for the hopes, dreams and wishes of generations before. This month, were celebrating these objects and unpacking some of the intergenerational dynamics and immigrant stories behind them.

From grandmas jade bracelet to a traveling amulet, read on as five women share their unique takes, as told to Jeanine Celeste Pang, Head of Voice for Old Navy.

1. A ring passed down through multiple Chinese tea ceremonies

My gold ring was passed down through four generations, in the same manner, at a Chinese tea ceremony. As an American-born Chinese American, I knew I wanted the tea ceremony to be part of my wedding and to wear a red qipao, just like my mom did for hers. Here in the US, we tend to focus on the big white wedding dress, but in Chinese tradition, its the tea ceremony that is the actual wedding. My mom came to my ceremony with a huge bag of jewelry and started layering me for what felt like half an hour of time. At the end, I was drenched in 24k and I asked her, OK so whats the meaning of any of these?! She told me this particular ring was given by my PoPo, my maternal grandmother, to my mom during her ceremony, but when I asked my PoPo about the significance of the ring, she said, I dont want to remember.