The Four C’s

I’ve never been into jewelry.

I occasionally wear a bracelet or necklace, but rarely does a ring slide down my fat fingers.

Maybe if I had long slender fingers I’d enjoy a sparkling stone.

In the 90’s, I worked about a year at a jewelry store. I wasn’t a great salesperson, but it wasn’t a busy store so I replaced watch batteries more than anything else.

Diamonds were the most fun. The owner usually handled all diamond sales. He was all about quality and educating the buyers about the four C’s: cut, clarity, color, carat.

Engaged couples peered through a microscope to examine the brilliant stones. To see the flaws for themselves.

Most couples’ budgets allowed them to select a diamond with small inclusions.

Some inclusions were not visible to the naked eye.

Some customers went for size, even if the color was a bit yellowish, or if it had poor clarity.

Others were satisfied with a half a carat or less if the diamond was superior quality.

I mostly shop in thrift stores these days. I sometimes find unusual earrings & bracelets. It’s fun to see what you can buy with just a few dollars.

However, if I were a wealthy person, I’d love to own beautiful diamonds. I understand the pleasure people find in quality jewelry. Or quality anything.

My time with diamonds I could never afford didn’t bother me at all. I appreciated the beauty and symbolism. The artistry involved.

And all the excited couples that symbolically began their new life by considering the four C’s of a diamond in a local jewelry store.