The bracelet was bought many years ago in a little shop , on the edge of the city market. The shop owners, father and son, dealt mainly with jewelery bought from immigrants and inheritance. It was a popular shop, for one could buy there a real bargain and even get a blessing, style "you should never have to resell it".
The shop no longer exists.
There's only one more shop of that kind known to me; it's bigger, more expensive, and located in the heart of the city. The owners, two twin brothers, are skillful jewelery makers and... rather shrewd merchants. Part of the items acquired by them are not sold in their original form but undergo some slight transformation that enables the two brothers to demand a higher price.
Anyway, my bracelet, safely kept now, has some strange sort of fascination upon me. Hard to explain . There's something about it, something indefinable that appeals to me.Perhaps its simplicity of design, its light weight , its minimal chic as a fashion accessory or all these things together.
Speaking of safety, it's not unusual to see elderly women, especially of yemeni descent, wearing their jewelery (rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces - mostly silver made) on their body, almost all the time. They'll tell you and even argue with you that your body is... the safest place for it, not the hidden safe on the wall.
Some things, pieces of clothing or jewellery simply find us as the right owners :) Maybe they know we will love them, cherish them and wear them with love. I have a very refined taste which means I always know what exactly I want and when I find it (usually after lots of difficulties) I take good care of it so that it can last for a very long time. This is why most people say that most of the stuff I have are very very me. You are probably the same with your bracelet.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said that better.
ReplyDeletePieces of clothing and jewelery that we own and wear, often define us. I'm for simplicity and minimalism and this bracelet has that: basic metal and design.
They may be right about it being the safest place -- at least they know where it is! If you aren't going to wear your bracelet anymore, perhaps you could frame it in a shadow box for your bedroom wall or someplace where you could see it. It certainly is lovely and a shame to be hidden away!
ReplyDeleteWell, the yemeni women are used from childhood to bear and carry on them lots of jewelery items. It's tradition and beauty combined.
DeleteThanks for your lovely suggestion. It's certainly worth considering.
I like your bracelet! I can see how it fits you too!! It seems solid and well made, linked in all the right places, and without extra adornment, beautiful its clarity and timelesslness in its design!! Well, thats a little of what it spoke to me!! Special and unique treasure!! Blessings and Shalom!
ReplyDeleteThe photo is a Macro one taken in the past; in reality the bracelet is tiny and delicate. 'Timelessness' is a proper word here. I like it.
DeleteThanks for your blessings and kind words. Peace and Shalom to you too!
It's a pity that you don't wear the bracelet anymore ! I wear 5 rings and 4 bracelets all the time even when I swim or sleep. When I was young I liked precious jewelry now not anymore. Just nice silver with semi precious stones.
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude. Beautiful things are to be enjoyed openly and constantly, not kept in a box. I might reconsider the bracelet after I completely "recover" from losing it a while ago.
DeleteIt's lovely! I can understand how you'd be worried about losing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hate losing things I like, regardless of their money value. That's how I am, and I'm not so happy about that. We shouldn't get attached to objects.
DeleteGood blogpost about something personal.
ReplyDeleteI got my golden bracelet from my mother two years ago. She had just heard that she had cancer and knew she would die soon. I never wear her bracelet but I will cherish it. It has a special place. And I'll whisper mama's name when I look at it. I actually never wear bracelets. Earrings are my favorite jewelry.
A good jeweler can make a sort of safety clasp for your bracelet. Maybe that's an idea. Than you can wear it without fear, day and night :-)
Sorry to hear about your mama.
DeleteEarrings are my favorite too but they have to be made of gold to prevent allergy. With bracelets or other pieces of jewelery I usually don't have allergy problem. Earlobs are a very sensitive spot in my case.
I can certainly understand your fear of losing a treasured item, Duta. The same fear gripped me recently when I could not locate a necklace received as a gift. Thankfully, it was safely found in ths last place I looked (always the case). I also have some jewelry received as gifts which are never worn as they do not hold significance or memories as your bracelet does for you.
ReplyDeleteYes,'always the case'..."found in the last place I looked". It happens not only with jewelery, also with documents.
DeleteThat's life's tricks played on us sometimes.
Your one of a kind bracelet is beautiful. It is a difficult question whether to wear it or keep it in the safe. The stuff I have in the safe I almost never see.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine.
DeleteThat's how it is. When you own a thing, like this bracelet or any jewlery piece, it gives you not only joy and pleasure but also care and worry. What if I lose it, shall I wear it or not...things like that.
I wear my rings, earrings and toe ring all the time but I'm not really into necklaces or bracelets.
ReplyDeleteToe ring? I guess it goes with sandals and spring/summer seasons.
DeleteI've never had a toe-ring, but it sounds cute.I know it's popular in India with married women.
I say wear and enjoy! Happy holidays to you! And lots of new jewels for the new year.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the most logical thing to do.
DeleteThanks for the blessing. Happy Holidays to you too!
I agree with Gattina.
ReplyDeleteWe do not own the item if we do not use it.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Yes, it seems everyone is of Gattina's opinion - to wear the piece/s of jewelery we own.
DeleteHappy Holidays!
What a lovely story. Jewelry is so special, isn't it. I have some pieces of my mother's that are wonderful to wear and just hold in my hands. Although she never was one to collect lots of jewelry, the pieces she did have have so much meaning. Each has a story that keeps me so close to her. I still miss her every day, but last saw her on this earth in 1985.
ReplyDeleteRelationship mother-daughter is usually very special.
DeleteI guess your Mom passed on to you not only jewelery but also your extraordinary knitting and culinary skills that are seen on your blog.
It seems you and your daughter Catherine also share a special relationship.
Your bracelet looks very nice and I can understand your fear of losing it.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if it could be made safer? It seems such a shame not to wear it ... a difficult decision.
My good wishes, and Happy Holidays.
All the best Jan
Unlike earrings and necklaces, a bracelet is worn on a very active part of the body - the wrist. We move our arms and hands all the time, so even a fast closure is not always helpful.
DeleteHI DUTA, could it be...today's your birthday? Just coming to wish you a Happy Birthday and a beautiful and healthy and happy and peace-full year!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shayndel! How did you know? I usually say - at the end of the month -or something like that, but perhaps I've mentioned the date to you.
DeleteHappy New Year!
You`re welcome!!Hmm... maybe you mentioned it?! Glad I remembered it right!! December birthdays are somehow easier to remember:)) Happy New Year!! ♡
DeleteThanks again, Shayndel. Looking forward to your posts with those lovely drawings in 2019.
DeleteSomethings, without rhyme or reason, hold special places in one's heart. They are cherished for just being... :)
ReplyDelete"..cherished for just being.." - I like that. I happen to like some things for no special reason; they just make me feel good, and I appreciate that.
DeleteI can so empathise with that feeling when a treasured item is seemingly lost. I'm really happy you found it again, it's beautiful Duta.
ReplyDeleteAritha made a good suggestion that perhaps a jeweller might be able to make it more safe to wear.
I lost a brooch many years ago and I still think of it because it has such sentimental value. It was when we lived in a bus and I can say I took that bus apart many, many times and then once more.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Yes,when we lose something that has sentimental value, like your brooch,one never stops thinking of the lost item. The sadness lessens in intensity over the years, but the item is not forgotten.
DeleteI'm very sentimental about jewelry myself and have several pieces that were made by an aunt (sister of my mom) who is now deceased. They aren't gorgeous but I imagine my aunts hands piecing them together and I feel that I am still connected to her in this world.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you found your bracelet!
You're so right! All these items we get sentimental about (mostly jewels and ornaments), connect us to people (whether alive or dead), to memories, to events, to periods of time in our life.
Delete