Morgan Kath and Her Add-A-Pearls

(Morgan Kath wearing her Add-A-Pearl necklace)

I’ve had my Add-A-Pearl necklace for as long as I can remember. I received it from my godparents for my baptism with three pearls and the necklace grew as I did. Every year for my birthday and Christmas, I would ask for money to add to my necklace. Then my sister, who also has an Add-A-Pearl necklace, and I would go to Rudnick Jewelers in Sheboygan, WI on our Christmas vacation— the same time they were holding their annual sale— to add to our necklaces. Standing at the counter in front of a vintage Add-A-Pearl advertisement, we planned how we wanted our final necklaces to look and calculated how many pearls we could afford with our savings. Then the anticipation began as we handed over our necklaces for restringing and waited for the phone call that they were ready to be picked up. I completed my necklace the Christmas before my high school graduation.

(Morgan wearing her Add-A-Pearls)

My necklace has been with me through my First Communion, graduating as high school salutatorian, and being the first in my family to graduate college. Even though my grandparents had passed away and were not able to be physically with me at my graduations, they were proud of my commitment to adding to my necklace and were with me when I wore my Add-A-Peal. I hope to someday wear my necklace on my wedding day, along with any other milestone events, and for it to become a family heirloom.

written by: Morgan Kath