Changes: The Passage hangs a new sign

Smack in the middle of a contented retirement, when I was offered a part-time job, I said yes, instantly. The opportunity to work in a field that has long fascinated me, with a company founded by a woman I admired from our first meeting: how could I refuse?

Emerald beads; photo courtesy of Pierres de Charme

In December, I began training with Pierres de Charme, the family business of gemmologists who sell coloured gems to jewelers and designers. From the first day, I was delighted to work amid the glow and charisma of stones sourced by ethical, passionate professionals.

When my friend Clare heard that, she burst out laughing, imagining every penny earned would wind up on my neck, and while I have not succumbed, stones like those below are giving my pearl love some serious competition.

Tanzanites and zircons

Going back to work is an adjustment. I'm trying to catch on quickly and not make mistakes, but I've made them. I bought a lunch bag, what every women who ever sat at a desk knows as work pants, an iPad. Excel and I are dating again.

The Passage: Open by Chance 

After today, I will post intermittently; the Passage is now one of those quirky places with an Open By Chance sign on the door. I'll keep the thousand-odd posts up and may occasionally write if moved. To receive these posts, please subscribe or follow.  Questions about jewelry renos or pearl choices may be sent via e-mail; the address is under my photo, at right.

Thank you for reading, and especially for commenting over the past nearly eight years. I have learned so much from you. Please follow and comment for other bloggers whom you admire; it keeps us going—especially those of us whose only reward is your company.

Till you wander through again, be well, be your ineffable self, be adventurous...in pearls and, I should now add, in coloured gems!

And if it's the last thing I post for awhile, it must be pearls! It's Isabella Rosselini (so touching in the documentary "Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words"), who's pearled up lately: a rope of mixed white, black and gold pearls (they look like Tahitian and South Seas), to which she sometimes adds a second rope, of whites. Wear it and wear it!

That made me think of an Isabella rope... but for now, I'm wearing what I have!