Friends

Sometimes people let you down. People you thought were friends can let you down. You can do your very best to be supportive, kind and understanding, but there does come a point where you have to let go and move away from someone who makes questionable choices in life. This year I have had a challenge like that, and have come out stronger and more sure of my values. Luckily I've got quite a few wonderful friends who I admire greatly. 

Last week a very special person, who had just had a huge disappointment of her own, decided to share some joy with me. She and I share a love of jewellery, and I often admire the treasures she owns. One day I admired this ring, which she had just purchased from E-Bay, but was not sure about. She gave it to me last week. I have a passion for rings and gemstones, so I was naturally thrilled. I did try to take a photo on my finger, but I decided I needed a soft filter and Photoshop to make my hand look less weather beaten. 

 This is a gold and amethyst hand-crafted ring. The hallmarks are very neatly applied and so tiny that I can't make them out without some kind of serious magnifier.

The amethysts look a richer, more regal purple on my finger. Much warmer in colour than on my screen, and the gold is very yellow too. If I could make out the hallmarks I could possibly find out about it, but I currently have no idea how old it is. It could be modern, but it does have a very old feel about it. I love it, and it is lovely to have something that was given to me out of pure kindness. Very special. One day I will find a way to repay her. 

Well, it could be the start of a collection. I adore very old rings. Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian and Art Deco styles. The colours of old gemstones are so appealing. Especially combined with old gold. Absolute treasures, surviving so many years. The rings that have a mixture of gemstones are fascinating. So different from modern styles. 

So today I'm celebrating friends. I'm having a wee crafting hour and afternoon tea with The Crafty Neighbour, and tea with Mrs CT, who says she is living in a giant condom, as her house has been denuded of cladding and is now wrapped completely in plastic (even over the windows). She's rather miserable about the whole affair, as is another friend who is also having repairs. The repairers ripped out her deck because the Earthquake Commission assessors said it needed replacing, and now they have changed their minds and won't pay for a new one. She is telling them she wants her old one back, since they've taken it out and she can't afford to buy a new one. Oops- what will they do now? I think it will be long gone. Complications. 

I'm off to do some crafting now. Cup of tea time soon.