Diamonds, Diamonds
Sat., February 14, 07:56 PM
The approach of Valentine’s Day brings commercials from all the jewelry stores. The one I’ve enjoyed the most is the one where the bride’s ring is so great that even the doll on the top of the cake is impressed… Nice ring, I guess, but not as nice as mine.
There is definitely an advantage to staying single until you’re grown up and so is the man you’ve chosen. Husband was never rich, but he lived frugally and saved his money, so that he paid cash for an engagement ring — without having to beg, borrow or steal. It’s the one piece of jewelry that is different from what I described in my post about my wedding ring. Sentimental value? Of course. He taped it inside my birthday card. But this piece is also an Investment.
You’ll have to imagine it, because I don’t have a picture. It’s a one-carat pear-shaped diamond, with a small baguette on each side, in a platinum setting. We know what it’s worth because we had to have it appraised to insure it. When we changed insurers, we had it re-appraised; the jeweler said the previous value might pay for the setting now. It’s a little intimidating to think that the trinket on your hand could easily finance a new car…
But I’ve always been proud to wear it, especially when we were seeing Husband’s family or old friends. No one says a word — about that or any other jewelry I wear — but you can be sure all the women notice. And if they gossip later, it’s to the tune of “old H—— did pretty well for himself, didn’t he?”
As I get older, I’m trying to decide what I want to do with that ring. It would take a real emergency to get me to sell it, because to me the value is still more sentimental. I used to think I would give it to M.D., since diamond is her birthstone. But M.D. has a lovely sentimental ring of her own, set with diamonds and rubies, her birthstone and son-in-law’s. U.D. used to say she didn’t want diamonds. I think she might accept them now, but she’s really not a diamond sort of person.
I have considered entrusting my ring to Son, to offer to a ladyfriend when that is appropriate. For now, I’ll continue to enjoy it — as soon as the weather warms up so that the metal doesn’t freeze my hands.
Y’know, my mother gave her jewelry to Sister before she died, with instructions as to who should receive the important pieces. I think I’d rather just give them to the intended recipient myself — but I suppose that’s just another way that Mother and I are different.
To those of you who read the message from golfwidow, thank you for all the good wishes. I know they’ll help me get better fast. And I do have wonderful role models within Diaryland. I’ll just say that I still have, as my mother used to say, “two of everything.” They just don’t match any more.
