RICH
You are reading it here first; I am a rich woman! My wealth is tied to the ownership of a collection of gemstones. They are crafted into beautiful pieces of jewelry, and I wear the pieces frequently. I will often pair an exquisite piece with a costume piece. My collection includes a diamond or two, some emeralds, rubies, sapphire, tanzanite and of course pearls. I wear it all! What use are the gems if not worn?
The most popular gem and hardest known natural substance, diamonds, are rare and their values is based upon color and clarity. They are formed deep in the earth from a combination of high heat and intense pressure. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires form the big three colored stones. To know me is to know that I love color, which is why I own all three. Because the green emerald contains inclusions, the stone is weakened and may be subject to breakage. Oil and wax improve the appearance of it but not the durability- it is a fragile stone. Although the other two share the same chemical structure, traces of impurities determine whether the stone is a brilliant red or a beautiful blue. High temperature heating is a standard practice to remove inclusions as is adding small amounts of iron and titanium to enhance the color. Natural occurring tanzanite is only found within an eight-mile radius of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is rarer than diamonds and the mines are close to depletion. Mild heat enhances its color. Pearls, an organic gemstone, are not produced in the ground. True pearls, composed of strong, resilient, and iridescent nacre, grow in pearl oysters and freshwater mussels.
And now for full transparency, I do not own jewelry made with most of these gems. I own a string of pearls but broke it years ago and haven’t re-strung. So why would I make a claim about being rich in gems? Because I am. I have acquired them without spending a dollar. They are my family and friends. I am blessed to have incredible people in my life - black, white, straight, gay, male, female, young and well-seasoned – that are precious gems, and I wear them around my neck and on my arm as jewelry. Their presence enhances the quality of life, and I want them or their essence with me wherever I am.
The diamond and tanzanite represent my rarest and best friends. They are the center stone in my life necklace or the solitary stone in a ring. High heat and extreme pressure have foraged the bond between us over time and we have gone from the mundane–ness of friendship to the magnificence of a special kind of intimacy. Most, however, are the colored stones relationships. High heat has removed some of the inclusions between us, the relationship shines brightly but experience helps me know that fractures are possible. These relationships while beautiful and cherished have a level of fragility and are treated as such. My pearl necklace is more transactional than transformative but beautiful and life sustaining just the same.
Whatever the gem, I value each friend for their individualism. I cherish them for who they are and how they bring beauty to my soul as it seeks to live in a body that is balanced and healthy, and in an environment that promotes growth in myself and others.
I am rich because my life is filled with precious, living ,breathing, energizing gemstones. I did not lie.
PONDER THIS THOUGHT---A gem requires nothing of you but is highlighted by and through you.
Wonderful piece! Nice to think of friends and relationships as gems and gemstones! Such a different perspective to think of myself as a gem. Thank you, my friend!
Love this! You are a lucky woman and so are your gems
Great set up. Great word!