Is anyone else on this thread thinking about Guy de Maupassant? 
I love that story!!
“The Necklace”-- of course!
http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/necklace.html
You know, rereading “The Necklace” just now, it made me think of the needless hardships that will be be faced by those who over-borrow for their education or their children’s education.
Whether for necessities or luxuries, we have to be respectful of our budgets.
I only have a wedding band, but’s filigreed and suits my taste. We paid less than $200. But I love gems - the depths of the sparkle, etc. I have a natural star ruby (probably really low quality, but we got it about 40 years ago so I think it’s natural) that I could just watch the light play on forever. It’s better than a zamboni.
However, one of my favorite necklaces is trash, literally. I found it in a craft market in Ireland. They take clean, discarded trash such as gum wrappers, etc, compress it, amd apply some kind of lacquer. I can’t tell you how many people notice amd tell me how pretty my $12 recycled garbage is. I love recycling!
Oh, The Necklace and The Gift of the Magi really upset me, as a hs kid.
uh oh, I’m in that tiny overlap of women who don’t do jewelry OR make up/hair beyond basic skin care and a biennial haircut (cut it short, let it grow to not quite waist length. Rinse and repeat).
When DH and I sent shopping for an engagement ring, it became obvious it wasn’t me. I loved looking at the rings. They were beautiful. I just couldn’t picture myself wearing one. So we shopped for wedding bands. Then we put a diamond chip on mine. That’s as close to an engagement ring for me.
I’ve looked at some lab grown gems. Again, gorgeous pieces. I just can’t picture myself wearing them.
btw, I’m also reading the skincare and make up threads.Just because I don’t wear make up or expensive jewelry it doesn’t mean I find the subjects boring. I’m learninga lot on this thread.
Of course the real name is “La Parure,” and a parure includes much more than just a necklace: earrings, clips, a brooch, a tiara and possibly more. There’s a photo of a stunning sapphire one here:
A Zamboni! And, oh yeah, I can dream about something like what Consolation shared. (I actually toured nearly all the crown gems exhibits when I was rambling through Europe, as a college kid.)
But I just got myself a pretty braided band bracelet with tiny blue stones set through the center and no question it’s fake. But not brassy or cheezy, more artsy. It will look fine with the good things next to it, a mix. Not like I’m wearing it to meet the Queen. On sale, $10.
@fireandrain: You and my wife, at the very least. I’ll let her know—she’ll be glad to hear she has a comrade in arms.
OT, but did you all see the news about the 400+ carat diamond found in Angola? The news says it appears to be nearly flawless.
Allowed by whom? Perhaps by their suppliers.
I guess I can understand the mystique of the mined gem. It’s sort of like owning a golf club that was once owned by Elvis, as opposed to an identical golf club owned by somebody else. But I have to think that a lot of young people would be less interested in the gem mystique than in the past. I’ll have to ask my daughter what she thinks.
Knowing what gem mining often does to communities and the environment, this young person finds zero appeal in the “mystique”
I think that 400-carat diamond in Angola is mine. I lost it the last time I was there. :-"
I really feel so sorry for the husband in “The Necklace.” He really sounds like a sweet man.
Completing the circle:
S1 asked the girl about three weeks ago and presented two rings for her to choose from – the one with the pearl, which we all discussed here, and my mother’s engagement ring, which is very lovely but doesn’t require any decisions whatsoever. She chose the latter.
It’s a beautiful stone, a tad less than one carat, and is in a lovely setting. My mother wore it during her 48 years of marriage, until she passed away.
So, no synthetic sapphire or real sapphire at this point in time. S2 might decide to do so, when he finally asks his GF of almost six years. .
Congratulations, @VeryHappy. And how lovely that your soon-to-be daughter in law will wear your mom’s ring. The memory lives on.
Wonderful! Thank you for updating us, and congratulations to the happy couple.
Congrats!!
Congrats!!!