Jewels

I used to have jewels, some pieces were authentic jewellery, some were pretty fashion pieces, and some were hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind treasures that caught my eye at an artisan's booth, like the leaping silver dolphin earrings that I bought on vacation in Key West, Florida.  I wore and enjoyed jewellery all of my life.  I saved up to buy some very nice sets to wear to work, for example I bought an earring, necklace, and ring set of Indian garnet (ruby-grade) selling for more than a thousand dollars but I watched for the sale and got it for less than half price.  Some pieces were given to me by friends, so exciting! Some I inherited, so sad but lucky for me.

Then one day I realized that I am old, and so I emptied my armoire of the necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings that I had acquired over my lifetime; and I gifted my jewlellery to people who I hoped experienced as much enjoyment in them as I had.  I gave an antique diamond engagement and wedding ring set to a man who was considering marriage, he received it very somberly and with some distress that he could not pay for it.  I assured him that I had inherited it and I wanted nothing but his success in marrying the woman he loved.  An antique replica set of earrings and necklace with fine crystals set in bows, that had been given to me long ago, I gave to a girl young enough to wear such sparkly frippery.  She looked adorable wearing it.

The only jewellery that I kept were a couple of pieces like the fossil mosasaurs teeth that now hang on braided twine on a nail in the wall above my computer desk.  I am very relieved to be rid of my jewels.  I had come to fear that they would make me a target for robbery or worse.  I never bother with jewellery anymore anyway.  My pierced ears have closed, my eyes are dim with cataracts, and my hands have grown too clumsy to fiddle with small things.  I am satisfied with myself as I am, unadorned, but self-adored.

Jewels

by Annmarie Throckmorton, copyright 2026