Dear Ron, Wow, I know it’s tough, but perhaps when the rush is over
you can let a little Chirstmas spirit in?
I understand your position on doing small jobs right before
Christmas on merchandise bought from other venues. If you don’t have
the resources to handle all the stuff that comes at you this week –
and who does? – I think you’re absolutely right in giving priority
to the customers who came to you for your goods and your custom
designs. They’re your best customers, and they’re giving you loyalty
in return. Fair enough.
But perhaps a little mercy on those who buy from discount stores is
in order? My sister has a sapphire ring purchased several years from
a large discounter who shall remain nameless. Ron, you are right, the
thing is a piece of crap. The sapphires are inky dark, and the shank
crumbled into several pieces earlier this year. I am sure you would
advise her to toss it in the trash and buy some “real” jewelry.
The thing is, this ring was purchased by her husband at a time when
they had very little money. He wanted to buy her fine jewelry, not
costume jewelry, which for good or ill has the rep of being “fake” –
not something you give to your true love to express how much you
cherish her. He wanted a ring, he wanted stones, and he wanted it for
$100, because that’s all the money he had to spend.
Perhaps some of you on this list would have had a better suggestion
for him than what he did. But should by brother-in-law really be
condemned because he didn’t find anything in his price range in the
better stores? Should he have bought her a sweater instead? Perhaps
given her a kiss on the cheek and said “I couldn’t find the quality I
wanted in my price range, so I’ll save up for a couple of years and
give you a Christmas gift then”? Should she throw the bum out because
instead he purchased a lower quality piece of jewelry that he could
afford?
DeBeers may have most of us convinced that it’s how much you spend
that proves how much you love her, but in my experience, it’s the
thought that counts. My brother-in-law gave my sister this poor ring
with all his love and the hope in his heart that she would wear it
and enjoy it – and she has. She knows it’s not heirloom quality, and
she accepts that. And praise be, she also found a kind jeweler
willing to repair it when it crumbled. Bless him for recognizing
that memory and love is sometimes more important than the gold and
stones – or even what the world calls quality.
Happy Holidays to all of you, and may the spirit of the season fill
each of you with joy and wonder.
Suzanne
Suzanne Wade
writer/editor
Suzanne@rswade.net
Phone: (508) 339-7366
Fax: (520) 563-8255