Bling

 

Since the first bipod strapped a shell around their neck, we (as a species) like to adorn ourselves with ‘bling’. It is a sign of wealth or status. It is a sign of religious affiliation. It is shiny and a distraction from our lack of personality.

My first bling was a wrist watch. It may have had a Mickey on it, but it was a Timex. Every Christmas it was a certain present from Santa to get an upgrade watch (along with cuff links and a tie clip). Somewhere along the way I got a gold watch. It was bling. I didn’t wear it until I didn’t need a watch. I got lots of comments about the fancy watch and just realized it was bait for a robbery. I threw it away. No one else needed that temptation.

I wore rings. I wore a ring that was given to me at a farm joust. It turned my finger green. I designed the wedding rings for my first wedding at Kambourian Jewelers. Circles in gold. My second wife wanted me to continue to wear it to keep away predators. I bought her a diamond ring she fancied at the Best Products going-out-of-business sale. I hid it in a sock to surprise her at Christmas. She took it to Schwarzschild to be appraised. Seems she her step-grandfather was a jeweler and taught her the value of the clear stones. The appraiser found a ‘blue’ spot in her ring which lowered the value. I went back to Schwarzschild and bought another diamond with a little blue box. That satisfied her so we could move onto cultured pearls and scarab bracelet. I wore a Celtic pewter ring until I had to get it cut off. I wore a chain dog collar bracelet (that doubled as knuckles). I wore (wear) my uncle’s ID bracelet. The wedding rings I donated to the ocean.

I bought my mother a diamond ring. It was a 5 and Dime with a huge stone. She would wear it to the fancy events and flash it around to impress other members of the social elite.  No telling for taste.

When I was traveling, my wife got me a St. Christopher necklace. I didn’t wear beads during the hippie period, but did wear puka necklace during my surfing period in Carolina. She wore a cross toward the end of her life. She gave me a gold chain even though disco was over. On our 25^th anniversary she added a key with a heart charm. I still wear it.

Not just talking about jewelry, but fashion, make-up, cars and houses. That is why these things are stolen for they show your wealth and prestige. Who are you wearing? At the end of the day, the make-up is washed off and you are that person in the mirror.