At a Glance
- An 18-year-old pre-med student and her mother launched a TikTok campaign to find three lost heirloom necklaces
- The necklaces, crafted from a 1940s Dallas philanthropist’s original piece, mark every daughter’s 16th birthday
- Worldwide tips pour in after the video tops 1.6 million views
- Why it matters: A sister’s milestone birthday now hangs on the kindness of strangers
A Boise State University student and her mom have turned TikTok into a global search party for three family necklaces that vanished during hard times. Their plea has already drawn more than 1.6 million views and messages from Japan to Vermont.
The Missing Heirlooms
The story begins with Carol Crowe, Sophia’s great-grandmother, who died on July 8, 2024. Carol transformed a single piece once owned by her great-great-great-aunt-Alla May Treadaway Russell, a celebrated Dallas philanthropist from the 1940s to the 1970s-into necklaces for every daughter in the family. Each girl receives hers at age 16.
Over the decades, three of these custom pendants disappeared. Some were pawned, others lost or stolen when money was tight. The family never forgot them.
The TikTok Gamble
Jamie, 42, suggested posting the hunt on TikTok. Sophia, 18, had only a modest following, but they filmed anyway.
“Posting the TikTok was my mom’s idea,” Sophia tells News Of Losangeles. “We thought, why not get the word out there? I have a small platform, but it was worth a shot. It means a lot to us to be able to give one to my sister on her 16th birthday.”
The clip exploded overnight.
Global Response
Comments flooded in from across the globe:
- A woman in Japan shared a photo of a similar pendant found at a flea market
- A Vermont antique dealer offered to check incoming estate jewelry
- A Texas pawn-shop owner promised to keep an eye out
No exact matches have surfaced yet, but Sophia says the wave of goodwill keeps them optimistic.
“We’ve found no matches yet, but it’s exciting to think we might finally have a chance to bring them back into the family,” she says.
Next in Line
Sophia’s sister, Scarlett, turns 16 on January 26. The first necklace recovered will go to her. If more appear, the girls’ grandmother will decide the next recipient.
Carol’s estate is ready to pay. The family will offer $300 above appraised value to any seller willing to return a necklace.
Sentiment Over Cash
Sophia stresses the hunt isn’t about money.
“These necklaces belonged to someone very special, and finding them is a way to feel close to her. They’ve always been a rite of passage for the women in our family,” she explains.
She adds that the groundswell of support proves the internet can still be kind.
“The power of the internet can be used for good. People from Japan to Vermont have commented that they’re looking out for us. It reminds you there is still so much kindness in this world.”
Key Takeaways
- Three heirloom necklaces, each crafted from a 1940s Dallas philanthropist’s original piece, are missing
- Sophia Green and her mother Jamie launched a TikTok that hit 1.6 million views in days
- Tips arrive worldwide, but no matches yet
- The first necklace found will be given to Sophia’s sister on her January 26 birthday
