Jewelry
Jewelry is what makes us Human. That and the opposable thumb, but even raccoons have thumbs, so it’s mostly the Jewelry thing. At least that’s the opinion of this Goldsmith. We as Homo Sapiens are the only species in the history of the planet Earth with the desire let alone the need or the ability to ornament our bodies with colorful bits of metal and stone. Magpies and packrats can’t quite figure out how to wear it so they just gather it.
There is no evidence of earlier Hominids such as Cro-Magnon man making or wearing Jewelry, so it might seem to be indicative, or at least symptomatic, in some strange way, of higher intelligence. At least that’s the party line of the United Federation of American Jeweler’s Associations.
But seriously, Folks….
Jewelry is something which most people don’t think too much about yet almost everyone owns. Think about your favorite piece of Jewelry, present or past, think about how you felt when it was given, lost, purchased or received, powerful feelings, I’ll bet. Now think about the potential power of your very own piece of custom made Jewelry. Keep in mind that a Jewel is not simply a gemstone but rather a singular item of great import. Think about the design of that piece - yeah you know the one - that you’ve had in the back of your mind for years. It can be a reality. Unfortunately, few Americans even realize that this is not only possible but the procedure of creation itself can be both fun and enlightening.
As a culture we’ve been trained to demand that our hamburger be done our way, our coffee be served in any one of a dizzying array of sizes and varieties, yet our Jewelry should be purchased straight out of a glass case from moonlighting Business majors.
The desire for and the creation of a Jewel of great personal power is not to be taken lightly. Remember that first and foremost, you cannot get what you want until you know what you want. Proper Goldwork is very time- and labor-intensive and must be visualized and properly planned. It is always best to approach a serious project of creation with all eyes open. Understand that the Goldsmith is basically midwifing your design and yet can’t possibly comprehend your desire for a pendant commemorating the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots. Therefore you must be able to communicate the various elements of design that are important to you. A skillful Smith can steer you through the rapids of interpretation and design but you must be able to give him or her an initial compass heading. If you find that you and your Goldsmith are not communicating to your satisfaction, find another.
Great Jewels are not always birthed easily but may instead stretch painfully over rather long time frames. Contrary to intuition though, this can be a welcome speed bump, as it may gradually lead to a greater and more fulfilling realization of the desired goal. Instead of just getting on the interstate and driving to the beach, we are going somewhere no one has ever before envisioned.
Most importantly, just because your Goldsmith is producing an item of your dreams doesn’t mean that he or she is the ultimate decision maker. Real Jewelry is an expression of one’s innermost thoughts and feelings, a statement of a personal philosophy and not just a trend-driven fashion accessory, or a display of portable wealth. You can’t get what you want until you know what you want.