An object becomes an heirloom when its significance of existence and the story which that tells becomes more important than its functional use.
My father received of his aunt, one of the last relics of his mother's grandfather, the family patriarch, a stoneware milk jug. He then gifted it to my daughter, and it's been kept safe, awaiting her getting a home of her own for it to be placed in.
I also have my grandfather's cast-iron reel mower, which I replaced the handle and roller on --- still works fine, and does a good job of cutting the grass, but I use a more modern Fiskars out of concern of the possibility of breaking a part which can't be readily repaired/replaced.
That said, I'm never forgiving my father for selling his father's anvil.
My father received of his aunt, one of the last relics of his mother's grandfather, the family patriarch, a stoneware milk jug. He then gifted it to my daughter, and it's been kept safe, awaiting her getting a home of her own for it to be placed in.
I also have my grandfather's cast-iron reel mower, which I replaced the handle and roller on --- still works fine, and does a good job of cutting the grass, but I use a more modern Fiskars out of concern of the possibility of breaking a part which can't be readily repaired/replaced.
That said, I'm never forgiving my father for selling his father's anvil.