Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Guilty Sparkly Pleasures


When I was little I would creep into my father's study and read the Encyclopedia Brittanica. In those days, a set consisted of something like 20 volumes. The volumes were oversized, and had illustration pages. Called plates, I think. These pages were thick, shiny, suck-air-between-your-teeth desirable.


It might have been that I was precocious and hungry for knowledge. But no. I was in search of volume G-H. G for Gems. I would sit on the floor and look at the pictures and shiver. I don't know what it was. Maybe the facets. A hall of mirrors, endless reflections, not knowing where the end or the center might be. Or maybe it was the sheen and heft of the old paper.
Nowadays I watch Jewelry TV. Yes. I do. I love the women who announce the pieces they are selling. I love their Southern accents. I love their French manicures. I love the way they pluck the gemstones they want to hawk out of the case with those special plucker tools. Pop. I want to order a mixed stone parcel and sit on my sofa late at night, running my fingers through the colored gems. I would even replace one of the burned out lights in the outdated track lighting overhead. With a pinspot. I would keep the illicit sparkle secret.

And the click and clack of stone hitting stone.

First image: James Alger
All others: JTV.com

5 Comments:

Blogger me melodia said...

omg what a fabulous post.
I too love gems...always have. I actually have this teeny velvet pouch full of gems i took from my parents when I was 4. I swore I was a millionare. I don't even think they know i have this. :)
I looove that you watch jewelryTV. Thats my total guilty pleasure.
I quickly swith the channel when my man walks by.

great blog.

May 13, 2009 at 6:23 PM  
Anonymous Twenty Four At Heart said...

I love sparkly things. Gemstones are so pretty ... all the different colors! I don't wear much jewelry anymore since it only gets in the way and has to be removed at PT ... but I still love looking at it! : )

May 13, 2009 at 10:05 PM  
Blogger Homebody said...

mmmmm..... shiiiiiiinnnnyyyyy.....

May 14, 2009 at 7:30 AM  
Blogger Muffy said...

When I was very very young, I dreamed of becoming a gemologist. I even had my own little rock hammer and encyclopedia of gems and minerals. I distinctly remember getting a rock tumbler for my 8th birthday and thinking it was the greatest gift of all time. Ah, youth!

May 14, 2009 at 11:14 AM  
Blogger LPC said...

Ah youth indeed you whippersnapper!

May 15, 2009 at 11:48 AM  

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