Damiani Tahiti and Akoya Pearl Earrings

1cm Tahiti, 0.4cm Akoya, 18K White Gold Earrings from Damiani

Some of you may remember me sitting next to one of the Damiani heirs at the World Premiere of the 458 Italia last September. And as fate would have it, I was wearing man-made (albeit expensive) Misaki pear-shaped pearl earrings next to a jewellery expert during the dinner. A bit awkward as you may be able to imagine.

I have set things right this morning. Bought myself a pair of 18K White Gold Tahiti and Akoya Pearl Earrings from the house of Damiani.

Hub was cool about it, said if that was what I was looking for...He then accidentally asked if I owned something from Bvlgari and I took the opportunity to whine abit - that no, I don't. Not yet. He didn't react, I think that my answer zapped past him, he was already back in his work. This week he's in charge of Ferrari's Podio.

Subtile Raison by Mauboussin

Subtile Raison by Mauboussin

I felt really down yesterday evening. We finally had our Grade 2 Pool Party at LP's in the afternoon and bade farewell to the 7 children and their mums (from the class) who would be leaving the school. I guess that the anti-climax after all that build-up of excitement and stress (that something would go wrong) was what tired me. I'm glad that my Class Rep duties for this school year are over for now.

Needing something to perk me up, I got myself a new ring this afternoon. I love a number of Mauboussin's creations and always look forward to collecting their pieces whenever the occasion should present itself. Found this cocktail ring from its Subtile Raison collection that had everything to please : Rose Gold, Smoked Quartz (5,20 ct) and Orange Sapphires. In a simple heart. Cécilia Cigañer-Albeniz (Sarkozy's ex-wife) had a Rose de France engagement ring from the same collection when she married Richard Attias.

I toyed with the idea of buying a beautiful blue topaz and diamond pendant from its Trop fou de toi collection too, but decided not to overstretch our purse strings today. After all we've not had any bonus this year no thanks to the economic crisis. Besides, I've also been eyeing a Bulgari B.Zero diamond pendant that I saw MM wearing and maybe I should save the money for that another day.

This evening we'll be attending the D's farewell party at the Club Giardino at Carpi. Which reminds me that I had better prepare the guest room for the B's who will be coming over from Milan and who will be sleeping over at ours. And check the fridge to see if we have butter, eggs and jam for breakfast!

De Beers 18K White Gold Quartz and Diamond Sakura Pendant

Sakura Rose Quartz and Diamond Pendant from De Beers

Hub probably had a troubled night. He knew that I was going to check out the De Beers Private Sale this morning. Which I did.

He asked me if I've bought anything. I told him that I've bought something gorgeous for around 40K just to see how he would react. Even as I said it I knew that I would be caught out quickly since where in the world could we find 4 least of all 40K to buy any jewellery in times like these?

Anyway, most of the pieces on sale today were quite loud and gaudy. Too flashy for me. I have small fingers for a fat person and can only carry off small creations.

But everything was sold out within 10 minutes even at such prices. I was among the first at the sale and chose a simple quartz and diamond pendant : 18ct white gold, rose quartz, 0,18ct diamonds. Reminded me of a lotus though they named it "sakura".

Hub looked relieved and said, "So you've managed to restrain yourself."

I can wait. Next year is our 10th Wedding Anniversary.

Hand-made Jewellery and Coffee Mornings

Jewellery Party

JW did coffee morning yesterday and it was well-attended as usual, with lots of lovely English ladies and cute toddlers competing for buttered English scones and chocolate cake with the adults. Our gracious hostess offered coffee and tea à volonté and I managed to catch up with a few people I have not seen for a while.

I have mentioned before that it was also some sort of jewellery party. Wendy brought along her beautiful hand-made jewellery and arranged them with lots of love and care for our consideration and admiration. It was difficult deciding what to try on, but of course also very fun doing so.

Necklaces

Most of the pieces are made in sterling silver, gold and other metals. With diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones. Some of them were simple, others quite elaborate. On display were also a few pieces of exquisite work.

Lovely flower brooch

Wendy sells her hand-made jewellery on etsy, dawanda and boticca and she also has a blog. If you're looking for nice, artistic pieces to offer as a gift, it could be an idea to check out what she has. You can even have something made to measure.

A few intricate bangles...

I would have been tempted to buy a few pieces for myself or to offer if I've not already bought this and this recently. Besides I'm quite allergic to anything that is not almost pure gold.

A few of the rings

It wasn't easy for Wendy to show off her jewellery in a room filled with toddlers, but then it would be difficult for many of the ladies to leave home without bringing such young children along. I could feel that she wasn't happy about it and this could be confirmed when you catch her complaining about it on Twitter and Facebook. Still, I thought that she would appreciate that this could be a start and with more exposure and word-of-mouth, she could be better-known in the local expat community and beyond. The school wouldn't be a good place for her to showcase her jewellery though - since by definition it would be filled with children. LOL

Alphabetti Spaghetti Jewellery

www.alphabettispaghetti.dawanda.com

wendy@alphabettispaghetti.com

Private Sales

Leather Pochette from Moschino

As you know, I only just got my Italian credit card recently and I am eager to find out if it's working. Not that I shopped any less before, but I often had to "borrow" Hub's card and it can be quite inconvenient (especially if you were trying to hide the purchases).

This morning, I zapped the card in a total of 5 private sales. Am glad to say that 5 times out of 5 the card worked. Now I just need to find out when the money will be debited and try to use up more of my WW3 food stock for a few weeks nearer the time.

18kt Pearl earrings from Bliss

Got a new leather pochette from Moschino (realised that I didn't have a suitable bag for formal dinners), performance ski wear from Dainese for the boys (including a replica of ski champion Axel Svindal's helmet), big grandmotherly pearl earrings from Bliss, sports sandals for the boys from Teva, a red linen top and bottom from my favourite Spanish designer Adolfo Dominguez and swimwear from Triumph. Actually I have tonnes of new swimwear - but each year I grow fatter and can never fit into any of them. Since I don't think I'll manage to lose any weight before summer, I've decided to buy something bigger.

Private sales on the Internet are great because it's not easy buying anything here in Modena. Without moving from my home, I can buy quite a number of things and at the same time I ensure the survival of the Italian postal system.

54th Gran Gala Unicef Ragno d'Oro 2010

Unicef Ragno d'Oro Gran Gala at Villa Cesi, Nonantola

Ferrari is a world unto its own as we all know. While the Golden Age (during Jean Todt's time) of garden parties and expensive gifts is definitely over, Hub sometimes still gets invited to a few small events taking place in the Modenese landscape. Last evening's 54th Gran Gala Unicef Ragno d'Oro 2010 held at Villa "Cesi" in Nonantola was one of them.

The invitations

Dress code was black. I was thinking of black woollen pants and a black sweater, but Hub wouldn't hear of it. He was there when I bought my black lace and silk dress from Twin-Set a few weeks ago and he remembered it (whereas I've actually forgotten its existence). Nobody cared if I'd freeze in it. I wore it with a beige pashima shawl (the colour of my silk dress lining that can be seen through the black lace), skin-coloured fishnet stockings and brown leather heels from Hugo Boss. I couldn't be bothered to collect other pieces of jewellery from the bank so I just wore my daily diamond necklace and rings, my new Antica Murrina bracelet watch and Misaki pearl earrings. Told Hub I needed more bling because most of the women there were walking jewellery.

Outer shell

We may be getting blasé about free dinners galas. I told Hub what to expect for dinner even before we read the printed menu. It wasn't difficult since for some reason they tend to rotate between 2 caterers for these events and I've eaten enough of their dinners to know what they usually serve.

Dining area (outside villa under a tent) and a ceiling inside

The Villa Cesi was worth the visit though. A lovely Villa belonging to the Neri family, you could rent it for private events and when Hub's last boss left, he did his farewell there. I wouldn't mind a Villa like that. We like throwing dinner receptions and I could do with space like that.

One of the reception rooms

Pre-dinner drinks and finger food circulated in the reception rooms and we noticed that almost everyone there was d'un certain âge. We shared a table with a couple our age (the guy's Hub's colleague) and 3 old couples. They tried to sell their company's products to Ferrari through Hub. I had to make small talk all evening in Italian and was brain dead by 10pm. And the Gala was programmed to last till 1am.

Place setting

I was wondering what Unicef had to do with old people. Then of course you need rich, important people to do things to help raise funds for the kids. And Modena is full of these notables. In fact, Modena is the second most important city in the whole of Italy when it comes to the amount of money raised.

Pasta with sausage and tomatoes

Pork with roast potatoes and onions in Balsamic vinegar

Gelato di crema with chocolate cone and berries

There was a raffle but we didn't win anything. Or we didn't pay any attention to whatever was going on on the stage. They gave out prizes to this year's winners of the Ragno d'Oro - Modenese (by birth or adoption) who have honoured Modena with their actions in the Arts or the Sciences. Those winners then made speeches and the Gala was filmed all the time by 2-3 television stations. My consolation is that we probably wouldn't make our way to one of those horribly brainless racy Italian socialite magazines because of the age factor. Plus Modena is not Milano or Roma. Then there was a Cabaret - but we only caught the beginning where a 25-year old Bulgarian tenor (an ophan saved by a charity linked to Unicef) sang (really beautifully). Then we left. It was after 11am and we were starting to fall sleep at the table. The strong expresso I drank after dinner didn't work at all.

There is not just food for comfort

18K White Gold Ring with 0.15 ct of Diamonds and a centre Ceylon Sapphire

I woke up this morning with aches all over my shoulders and back no doubt due to yesterday's shovelling. Though feeling quite sorry for myself, I made batter for some crepes first thing when I got downstairs and started to get busy making preparations for lunch. We will not be able to go anywhere until the snow mobile team we have hired comes to clear up the snow. Otherwise once the weather gets warmer we'll get an ice-skating rink.

Then as usual, I got drawn to a private sale and found myself zapping my new credit card (finally after nearly 3 years here I have my own Italian credit card) for a new ring. I was telling P yesterday that I am buying simpler rings with smaller stones nowadays so that I may wear them all the time. The big cocktail rings are beautiful, but I tend to just keep them in the bank vault and not wear them.

This morning's purchase (after hesitating over one with cognac diamonds) is a simple 2.85g 18K white gold ring with 0.15 carats of diamonds and a small centre Ceylon Sapphire. I am feeling much better already.

In Anticipation of Spring

Channel-set Ring with 0.66ct of Rubies

The sun is out today. In 3 weeks, Spring will officially be here. I am as oily as a whale, but I am starting to feel good. Of course this would be before I meet the Teenager's form mistress later. In less than 2 hours.

My sunny disposition merited a tangible manifestation and it comes in the form of a new ring : an 18K white gold ring channel-set with 0.66ct of Rubies. Consider it a belated Valentine's Day gift to myself. I hesitated between this and another diamond ring, but decided to go for colour in the end. I prefer diamonds when they are nice and big.

I will have to cut back on a trip after this, but I couldn't resist it. Hub will tell me that he doesn't like rings like that, but as long as I do, that's all that matters, n'est-ce pas?

Carpe Diem Today!

1 Carat tw Rhodolite Eternity Ring in 18K White Gold

Hub said over dinner last night that times are bad so who knows if he would be the next to lose his job. And how would I feel if this should happen?

I do not want to sound nonchalant about serious things like this, especially when I have parents back home partly depending on me for their retirement, but what can one do about it? When you think of people dying of war or hunger elsewhere, others living in the streets, people working 2 jobs already and still not making ends meet, you know that we couldn't be too badly off even if he should lose his job tomorrow. We would have to downgrade everything, eat less well, stop going on holidays, stop spending frivolously. But we should get by. And I've known hard times, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in the mouth after all.

Having said that, while the salary still comes in at the end of the month at the moment, I thought I should seize the day, this day. Especially when we're nearing the festive season and I'm already in the midst of preparing for the Winter Fair with the PTA. Starting to think glitter, see glitter - so I bought some glitter.

Saw a pretty pink semi-precious eternity ring and bought it. It's composed of 30 rhodolites (1 carat in total) set in 18k white gold. Made in France.

I used to be quite irritated when one of Hub's pleasure-seeking pals used the phrase "Carpe Diem". Must say that it doesn't have such a bad ring to it when I start employing it myself.

Good Luck String and 7-Stone Ring

H SI 0,80 ct

E came back from Bulgaria a few weeks ago and offered me a string. If I wore it on the 1st of March, it would bring me good luck according to her.

This morning, just after I've tied it round my left ankle, Hub announced that WiFi works after all in this house. It hadn't for the past 18 months, so this was good news and Eldest Son especially is happy since he now has hope that he would be able to surf on the Net on my old computer.

I on my part am glad that I wouldn't need to bring the Alice box back to the shop and make a complaint.

Then I did a good Rogan Josh and the Hub, in a good mood, decided to offer me a new ring for last Christmas (better late than never as we all know). I've been eyeing a 2-ct eternity ring (have been seeing it on a few of the mothers at school) for a while now, but he doesn't like it at all - so we compromised on a 7-stone ring. For a fat person I have fine fingers, so it is possible that an eternity ring would look too much on me.

This new ring is very simple, and only 0,8 ct - so that I can wear it on a regular basis. He said that we'll have to wait for the recession to be over and our 2nd home purchased before I get my diamond upgrade. Fair enough, I guess.

UPDATE : OK, shouldn't have blogged so positively before midnight. Just before we went to bed, the kids played with my Singstar ABBA and DAMAGED it!!!!!!!!! And finally opened the latest letter from the Gas company - and nearly choked when I saw the thousand euro bill. March is going to be a tough month.

CNY Buy

Sapphire and Diamond Ring

Not-treated medium blue Sri Lankan Sapphire (1,68 Ct, VVS1, oval-facetted), G SI1 Diamonds (0,42Ct), 18K yellow Gold. Antique-style ring.

A new ring for the CNY. I'm very Asian when it comes to this. Supposed to bring me good luck in the Year of the Ox, but already brought more trouble, stress and anger than good. No thanks to DHL Express.

Anyway Italy's already in recession. I thought it'd be more prudent to buy jewellery than invest in shares, for example. They predicted that the country will only get out of the rut end of 2010. Time to start hoarding.

Another Little Stone (Green for Christmas)

1CT Zambian Emerald, 18K Gold Ring

I know, I am very greedy. And can never really decide. I'm like that too with the kids, which explains why for Christmas Eldest Son will have the Guitar Hero game in a few editions for all consoles from the PS2 to the Nintendo DS Lite. I nearly bought the Yamaha electric guitar set for him too - and barely managed to stop myself.

It was the same with the Winter Fair buffet. I cooked 5 dishes mainly because I couldn't really decide what to cook and ended up cooking almost everything that came to the mind.

And the pile of presents under the Christmas tree is growing each day as I added a new present for this or that member of the family - E asked me why each time she talked to me I was wrapping presents.

All this just to give you an idea as to why I ahem bought myself another stone today.

Since Hub's ex-colleague cheated me of my Columbian emerald 5 years ago, I've been searching for another one, but if there's one stone that's very difficult to buy, it's the emerald. Emeralds tend to be pretty included so finding an eye clean one at a good price is not easy. Then one has to look at the shape, cut, colour, grade etc etc making the task even more difficult. Finding the right emerald in the right setting is not easy either. Because it is an expensive stone, many jewellers imagine that it has to be set among diamonds in elaborate settings - which the Hub finds horrifying (notice I said the Hub, not me).

I saw this ring a few days ago offered by a jeweller based in Israel. It contains only a simple emerald. Natural Zambian, 1 ct tiny stone, AAAA grade, VS clarity (barely eye clean though), olive green colour. He was working on the Sabbath, I was working on the Sabbath, we made a deal with one another. Now let's hope the Italian customs is not going to charge me the earth for it.

Haven't told the Hub about it yet. He hasn't made me a surprise this year I thought I could give him one instead.

Update (14/01/09) : Paid nearly 200 euros to Italian customs even after underdeclaring its value. And they opened the package! Colour is lovely and it's bigger than I imagined, but clarity is so-so.

A little stone

Almost nobody buys me a Christmas present in the family. This year doesn't look like it's going to be an exception.

But self-service is part of my vocabulary.

Have bought a really tiny piece of carbon. Don't get too excited when you see the picture. It has probably been magnified a hundred times if not more.

It's only 0,54 ct, E VS2, emerald cut but with very good proportions. I haven't seen it yet but I love it already.

Merry Christmas to me.

When you buy a few things to make up for 1 you didn't (couldn't) buy

Cultured Pearl White Gold Ring

The Hub made the mistaking of involving me in his search for Golf Clubs. Because this means starting me on my shopping mood. And once I get started I have difficulty stopping, certainly not at something as boring as golf clubs.

So first I drove an hour to the Max Mara outlet to buy a few scarves and then a few hours on the Yoox website where I shed a few tears. Because I lost a David Fielden red silk dress that I've been eyeing for months. I had it in my shopping basket, but wasn't fast enough in checking it out. Some idiot beat me to it. I tried to comfort myself by getting a pair of capri pants and a corset from Dolce & Gabbana, plus a silk dress each from Zinco and Massimo Danieli, but it's difficult replacing your 1st love, I'm sure you'll understand the feeling.

Then this morning, 6 months after my last Golay Pearls (of Switzerland) jewellery spree, I er went on another one and got myself a few little beauties. I did restrain myself and remove the Tahiti pearls from my basket though (for the next time, I promised myself). Now the only thing left to do is finding some financing for the spoils.

From the last spree : 7mm Akoya Pearl necklace

And a reason for getting them in the first place.

11mm Pear-shaped pearl pendant

150 cm cultured pearl necklace

Should I say that they were for our last wedding anniversary or for my last Birthday? I'm not going to involve Christmas yet as you never know what you may find in Singapore nearer that time. LOL

Happy Mother's Day to Me

I was just thinking the other day that I would love to own a piece of jewellery from Mauboussin. Something from Place Vendôme where I used to attend classes (very early morning, walking walking walking during the month-long transport strike in 1995) in a few of those luxury boutiques as part of an elective at Sciences Po Paris.

Well, the Mountain came to Ali this morning. I got myself this simple ring (was tempted to get the really big and flashy one, but had to anticipate the Breadwinner's reaction). 1 Carat Citrine in 18K yellow gold. From the Alessandrine Collection.

After I've flashed the Visa card, I emailed the Hubby (in Italy, probably still drinking coffee and trying to get ready for work) and thanked him for my Mother's Day present. It was 7:25am. I must say that he took it well. Just said that if I wore it he'll consider it money well-spent :-). And he kindly wished me a Happy Mother's Day. He could be so sweet my Gros Doudou, n'est-ce pas?

Happy Wedding Anniversary

You would think that it's a Saturday and it's our Wedding Anniversary (the one at the Townhall - the ROM, for Singaporeans) and we would be making an event out of it. But alas the first thing he said when he finally got out of bed this morning was,

"I need to call F. James. We have to discuss the coming Team Building..."

Then we sent Eldest Son to his football match, went to town for lunch and when I reminded him that it was our wedding anniversary, he made a detour to Eppli (the Auction House that sells both old and new stuff) and got me a little something. It would have been better if he had thought of it himself etc, but well, what to do? I didn't marry the Postman, as he liked to tell me.

He got me a simple pair of Cultured Round Tahiti Pearl Dangling Earrings with a tiny Diamond each. Set in 18K White Gold.

New (so no need to add the usual 20% to the price tag). Tahiti pearls tend to be big (average = 11mm) and anything from grey to black, so I'm quite pleased to find a pair that are small (7 mm?) and of a grey colour with nice lustre that is quite pleasant to the eye. The pearls are round and smooth. Pity that Eppli doesn't provide detailed gradings (e.g. colour, shape, size, lustre etc - for some basic education, this site in French is pretty good : http://stores.ebay.fr/LATELIER-DE-LA-PERLE-DE-TAHITI/Classification-des-Perles-de-Tahiti.html). Must say that I've never understood why they have to be so expensive though. A pair of grey Chinese cultured pearls would cost at least 6-10 times less.

Anyway, now I'll have to look for a matching ring and pendant.

To tell the truth, I can live without all that stuff. I almost never put them on anyway. But since Hubby is working so hard and I'm stuck at home looking after the kids (and doing nothing important), I look upon the jewellery as a symbolic materialistic compensation for the situation. Better I spend the money than someone else, n'est-ce pas?

I didn't get him anything, as I do that almost every other day and he does have almost everything he would need. I wouldn't even need to offer him rather popular contemporary gifts like adrenaline-filled hours in a Ferrari since he would be able to procure himself that. Though I could eventually sign him up for a boat navigating course if we have time to spare in Brittany. Or Ski Paragliding the next time we ski. We could also get him a leather jacket (through the Italian luxury leather connection) and a pair of branded sunglasses (he'll have to try them on and we would need time for that) in the next few months. I guess that since I do not work nor do I get any housekeeping money, buying him an expensive present using his own money is kind of ridiculous.

When we got home, he went on Skype and continued talking with Mr. James. Till past 9pm. I got so fed up (having to eat dinner late again, will end up farting the whole night - pardon the explicitness) I left my dinner preparations (for Sweet and Sour Codfish) and went to pick out toys from the children's stockpile to give away. Now that we're moving soon I am taking the opportunity to give away clothes, shoes, toys etc etc.

He ended up having to finish preparing dinner where I left off when he finished his call. Voilà that's our wedding anniversary for you. So damn laofu laoqi*.

*"Old couple" in Mandarin.

PS : The picture is not fabulous, but one can see the jewellery. This inspired me to replace the picture of the ruby ring I got a few months back (check said post in November 2006 if interested).

My Ruby and Diamond Ring

Hubby's one of those men who only remember their own Birthdays. Not even his own mother's (so one can imagine that I buy the presents and give them away in this foyer) and whenever he has to fill up some form involving the family, you can bet that he'll be calling me up at some point to ask me for the kids' birthdates.

I have therefore not seen a present for a few years. Not for my Birthday, nor for Christmas, our wedding anniversary, Mother's Day, the birth of each child or what naught. Though he was not entirely to be blamed, for he works long hours and does not have the time nor the inclination to shop. And I am, according to him, a very difficult client, so he does not feel like buying any present and getting scolded for it because I should happen not to like it. And he did say that I am free to buy whatever I want whenever I want to - but you'll understand that it's not the same, right?

A few weeks ago, as we started to plan for Christmas (this year his mother and sister are coming over from Paris for Christmas AND the New Year), he said to me, "My Chérie, what would you like for Christmas? You have not had a present in years, so you can have a nice one this year.[..] How much are we going to be reimbursed by the Taxman?[..] OK, you get to spend up to 4000 Euros..." (!?! - wire kenna pulled as we would say at home in Singapore)

One can imagine that I wasn't going to wait around for him to change his mind (especially if for some reason the Taxman is not going to reimburse us what we thought he owes us). So I started looking around for my present. Which was difficult in Stuttgart with the limited number and types of shops. And I can't possibly fly back to Paris or to Singapore just to hunt for a piece of jewellery. And the Internet is risky for things like that.

Yes, so that's what I've decided to have. A nice piece of jewellery. Something bright and gaudy, to spend hours looking at during the depressingly long and cold winters here in Europe. I've decided to buy a Ruby or Emerald ring (the pendant, bracelet, earrings etc will have to come later, sigh...)

What I've almost forgotten is the auction house EPPLI here in the centre of Stuttgart. It's a small shop next to the covered market (Markthalle), but contains a good variety of old and new jewellery, furniture, fur coats, branded bags etc. The Schwabs are very stingy people, so recycling is common and second-hand shops do well here.

I normally wouldn't have gotten anywhere near second-hand jewellery, me being an Asian girl brought up on ghost stories where oftentimes the spirit of the former owner of some ring turns up to haunt the new owner...But time away in Europe and the reality of the purse help change minds and I have decided to take the risk and consider the option of buying a second-hand ring.

Antique jewellery is interesting. The modern ones tend to be simple and increasingly popular/common. And when one starts looking for a ruby or emerald, one realises that it is difficult to find nice colours and clarities in the shops that you find in the usual malls or shopping areas (not many people can afford them so most shops just don't carry them) - and walking into Chaumet or Cartier at this moment in time is unfortunately not yet possible for us.

Rubies like diamonds have to be examined in terms of colour, clarity, cut and carat. But unlike diamonds where normally the more colourless the better and standard grades exist to help tell them apart, colour in Rubies is quite personal and one really has to spend quite some time looking at the stones to know what one would like and is looking for. And when one is just starting out, one would have little notion of clarity and cut, heated or unheated stones, and many of the usual shops out there often sell red rubies that are quite opaque and badly-cut. And another thing I've found out as I was looking for my ring is that the origins of a Ruby is also very important, e.g. whether it comes from a mine in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan, the USA or Africa...

I guess that not only do I want a Ruby, but I also wanted it to come with diamonds. Somehow diamonds look great on their own and they look even greater when they accompany a coloured stone :-). And I am quite sick of the usual round diamonds, so well, that's another reason why the quest was starting to be quite difficult.

On one of my last trips to Eppli, I saw a few really nice Ruby rings. One of them was going out to auction in early-November and has a Burmese Ruby surrounded by diamonds and set in 14K gold (Germany usually sells 14K and 10K gold). The colour of the Ruby was fantastic and though the diamonds were round, the setting was really pretty. I will of course not be attending any auction (it's an Art and I've no notions about it except for Ebay), so I decided to wait and see if it wouldn't get sold during the auction and would then be sold in the shop.

And so it wasn't auctioned off. And the price tag was 2200 Euros before the shop's 20% commission and any eventual ring sizing. It may seem expensive, but if you see what one has to pay for a similar new ring in a shop (if you find one like it), it's half the price.

But on the day that I brought Hubby to the shop to look at the ring, sitting next to it in the window was this other Ruby ring set in 18K white gold (I prefer), and surrounded by...6 Navette diamonds and 6 round diamonds with a total weight of 0.88 Carats (TW-W, VSI-SI). The Ruby (3.2 carat Siamese Pailin which in this case would actually be Cambodian) is not as fine as the Burmese one and has a visible inclusion (a line cut across), but it is translucent, has lots of fire and is of a rich purplish-red (not pigeon-blood red Burmese, but...). It took my breath away.

Hubby took a look at it and said that it was pretty but don't you think that it's kind of big? If you wear it out people will think that it's a fake...But he could see that I was quite taken by it, and I suspect that he was just relieved that I have found something that I like, that it was cheaper than usual since it was second-hand and was just quite glad to get it over and done with. So we paid for the ring, asked for it to be re-sized (it was 58 versus my 48.5) and as I thanked him for it, he muttered that he hoped that I was happy with it since I wouldn't be getting another present for the next 10 years! Ha ha! If only he knew that I'm already starting to dream of Emeralds...

So I'm wearing my ring as I type this out. We collected it this afternoon. I wish I could put up a close-up picture of it, but I do not have a zoom on my camera and it just wouldn't turn out. So I'll have to wait for an occasion to have its picture taken. Until then...

PS : I went back to EPPLI recently and saw 2-3 other Ruby rings (2 Burmese and 1 Ceylonese) and they were all going for less than 500 Euros before commission and resizing! It is amazing how much difference there could be between what I paid for mine and what's being sold just after. But it's all a question I guess of quality (or at least I hope) though to tell the truth I can't see no difference between the cheaper rings and mine (except that mine's bigger).