passion is in fashion

In other words, for the diamond illusion to survive, the public must be psychologically inhibited from ever parting with their diamonds.
The advertising agency’s basic assignment was to make women value diamonds as permanent possessions, not for their actual worth on the market. It set out to accomplish this task by attempting through subtly designed advertisements to foster a sentimental attachment to diamonds that would make it difficult for a woman to give them up. Women were induced to think of diamonds as their “best friends.”

…

Today, however, with many generations of the diamonds it mass-marketed overhanging the market, and most of global diamond production in independent hands, it no longer is in a position to bring supply and demand into balance. Adding to this precarious situation, diamond cutters, manufacturers and dealers, have, as of Feb. 15, an estimated $40 to $50 billion worth of diamonds in mines in the pipeline that will intensify the downward spiral when the gems reach the market later this year.

- Edward Epstein for the IHT

Turns out, I was totally kidding about my earlier VCA wishlist. Accidentally went into Chopard today and fell in love with this Happy Diamond pendant. Luv luv luv! Birthday is only five months away. 

As I age (gasp) I am slowly getting to know myself and what I will and will not accept in friends.  Although I agree that everybody needs a break once in a while, and that nobody is completely good or evil (life is not a Disney movie after all!), there are certain brightline rules that must be followed to have a functional relationship.

In the wake of recent happenings with myself and my friends, here is a cursory run-down of key points.  In no particular order:

1) Never *ever* show up unannouced at someone’s door

Disrespectful.  Inconsiderate.  Lacking in the most basic of manners.  It doesn’t matter if it’s 3 in the afternoon or 6 in the morning.

Notable exception: if you are absolutely certain you are welcome, then it is fine to gently knock on doors *if* you comes bearing gifts (i.e. champagne, roses, chocolate confections, any combination thereof.)

2) Every little thing is an indication of something big

Early on in the relationship there is not a lot to judge by except for the tiny little things.  There is good reason why both parties should be super high-strung and present the best foot forward.  Little infringements and shortcomings tend to be indications of major flaws.  If he’s always late, then it’s probably is because he is bad at planning ahead and slightly selfish and inconsiderate.  If he splits the cab with you early on in dates, that means he is not generous not only with his money, but also feelings, time, and will continue to calculate things with you not matter how long you have been together.   If he doesn’t open doors for you or hold doors for other people, then he is probably is either lacking in manners, is self-absorbed, or is just completely clueless – none of which is a good trait.

Years ago there was a Range Rover commercial that went something like: “Every man is judged by the way he plays.”  Verdict: true.

3) Don’t waste time

Smokers sometimes say things like: “I can quit anytime I want, but not today.”  As ridiculous as that sounds,  I have made some similar mistakes in my little life.  One can reference to the person one aspires to be one day, but the simple truth is that everyday of our lives and every tiny little decision shapes us as a person.  We cannot live in a state for days, weeks, months, and pretend like it’s just a transitory phase.  Whether we like it or not, the experience becomes an essential part of us.  Very much in the same way that the semester studying abroad Spain was “life-changing”, those few months spent unemployed and couch potato-ing were “life-changing” as well.

With going-to-nowhere relationships, end it as soon as possible and don’t waste time and emotions.  Pursue something better that’s worth pursuing, like volunteering at a puppy shelter or following Peter Sagal from NPR on Twitter, whatever floats your boat.

4) My takeaways from the two movies I watched tonight

Revolutionary Road. Honey and I saw the beginning of the film tonight but thought it was a little slow and abandoned it instead, so my takeaway is from seeing approximately the first 30 minutes or so of the film only.  An extremely repressed couple living in Connecticut decided rid themselves of their misery by moving to Paris – just like that.  Even though they haven’t even moved yet, just the prospect of doing so made them so much happier, which shows how just a little change in attitude and something to look forward to can do wonders.

(Disclaimer: cannot be held responsible for whatever happened later in the movie which might contradict this summary.)

Smart People. The academically intelligent can be so socially retarded and unhappy, as brilliantly portrayed by Ellen Page and Dennis Quaid in this film.   Sadly, this situation can also be used to described my current circle of friends to a tee.  Overachieving-Ivy-League-educated-Asian-American young bankers can be so internally-conflicted about what they want and what their families and friends expect.  What’s worse, often they are so busy chasing greenbacks and third-tier models that they don’t even have time to slow down and ask themselves what they want.  The result is that they do not know a good thing if it smacked them in the face.

Hey, I’m the same way even though I am not a banker.  Luckily, I perk up a generous amount after some coffee, and do hold a generally positive overall attitude that I shall know what I want (that is, beyond my little often-jewelry-related wishlists.)

After work today I had the extreme pleasure of accompanying my coworker on his research for his MBA project. Topic: Cartier engagement rings.

Since he had already scoped out the obvious competitors Tiffany, VCA, and De Beers, I gave him a quick run down of the less obvious shops he might have missed: Chopard, Harry Winston, Chaumet, and Graff (Are there more? Please amend.) I offered to check out the shops with him pretending to be his fiancee. It was the best idea ever.

Chaumet was the first shop we passed by. Although we had a list of shops to hit, we never made it. We had super fun pretending to be engaged — our date was set for December, price was no object, and he just liked whatever I liked!

Chaumet was a really interesting experience, most likely compounded by our little secret. Its heritage is being *the* jewelry maker for Napoleon, which is kind of cool. In the basement of the Hong Kong boutique in Alexandra House is also a museum. It displays spectacular vintage pieces: beautiful tiaras and fantastical brooches. Only two Chaumet boutiques in the world has museums, one in Hong Kong and the other in Paris (by appointment only). My favorite piece on display was a pansy tiara a French king made for his daughter when she married. Pansies symbolized love and adoration, so he wanted her to have this and think of him. The three biggest pansies on the tiaras could be removed and worn as brooches.

Another really beautiful piece, which is still in production, is the secret message bracelet. Using different gemstones to signify different letters, one could customize the bracelet to say something. One client spelled “Marry Me” for his lady. I couldn’t help but “awwww” when I heard this.

Chaumet features a lot of nature motifs in its pieces, its signature being the spiderweb. The reason behind this choice of this unusual symbol is that the spiderweb is built over time, with effort and care, much like love. Again, I “awwwww”-ed.

I really loved my first time in Chaumet. I found it much more enchanting than Tiffany or Cartier – which are beginning to feel mass market and pedestrian. We had the good fortune of having the best sales associate ever, Ms. Tsang, who told us all the wonderful stories behind the pieces. Do ask for her if you happen to be shopping for elaborate jewelry!

I am loving loving this ring. My right hand is size 52, by the way.

Image via MyPresigium