pearls afoot

Well, not a foot. Twenty-four inches, more likely.

Tonight we had our neighbors here for dinner. They're preparing a jewelry show, and were happy to be fed and watered after a long day of cleaning and pricing their original work. We had a simple meal of ham, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and salad, and I made blondies for dessert. After dinner we played several rounds of dominoes and the chair-nearest-the-door charm is still in effect. That is to say that whoever sits in the dining room chair nearest the patio door wins whatever game is being played, since July 2005. No I'm not kidding. Doesn't matter if it's dominoes or UpWords or Sorry.

Anyway, after the blondies and dominoes, we were listening to their stories of diamond and gem dealers, customers and custom pieces from decades past. They can remember every stone they've ever set as if it were a child. They have some fascinating stories. I asked about the show they're preparing for, and then remembered a piece of jewelry I've had for more than 20 years that I've sometimes vaguely thought of selling. I fetched it and showed it to them.

They looked at it under the loupe, passed it back and forth between them, and made some nice comments. Apparently the 24" string of perfectly-matched cream rose pearls with gold rondels might fetch five grand in an upscale jewelry store.

If I've ever worn them I don't remember. For the past year they've been hanging on the hand-towel ring in the master bath. Before that they spent three years wrapped up in packing paper with all my other necklaces, including large ceramic sweet potatoes - ocarinas - and all kinds of crystals and feathers and beads.

They had been a gift from a former boyfriend. Okay, not just a boyfriend, but a lover. A somewhat well-off lover. Oh yes. It was amazing and hot and it ended badly, very badly. I can laugh out loud about it tonight, which is saying something.

I held the necklace in my hand and said, "You mean, this is a few skylights? This is the landscaping?"

hobbitt said, "So. You're doing a little cleansing?"

I guess I am a little attached to the necklace. I figured it was worth a tenth of what my friend was quoting. My attachment isn't to its value, or its giver. It's more that I've always been a bit of a tomboy, I guess. The jewelry I wear all the time is simple, comfortable, and durable. I never take off my wedding ring or the 5th anniversary puzzle ring, unless I'm baking. It's an effort to remember to wear earrings, and the only thing I've worn around my neck in years is my mother's necklace bearing my father's wedding ring. It's not me, this pearl necklace, but it's beautiful and it's likely the finest piece of jewelry I own. That is the attachment.

Well, if it is an attachment, it's a weak one. My friend and I agreed on a price, considering the "discount" offered at the show and a possible fee to the shop owner. The piece is beautiful. It should be worn and appreciated.

And yes, if it sells, it will be a cleansing. But I'm keeping the violin.