Barely containing myself, I went on a mission to locate the perfect ring and found a sapphire and diamond beauty in an exclusive store, a bit of a distance from the hotel, the price– $1000CAD. My husband promised to come and purchase it just before our departure. To my horror, when the big day came he could hardly get out of bed and seemed to be coming down with a nasty cold. Panic took over–how would I get my gift– where is that hot Thai tea when you need it? Finally, he managed to get ready but hardly did we exit the hotel when he complained of being weak and feeling faint. Looking across the street I saw a flashing neon sign “Topaz Jewellery” right in front of the hotel. Desperation took over, realizing that all could be lost and it was now or never. I practically carried him to the other side. The store was small and dimly lit but we were offered a seat at the display counter and served hot Thai tea. Examining their ring collection I was disappointed –there was nothing comparable to the “one” on hold. The owner, sensing my dilemma, disappeared in the back and returned smiling with a unique sapphire and diamond ring. It was perfect–so was the price –$1000CAD. I was thrilled to put that ring on my finger and revelled in the size and beauty of the stones. Just wait till my friends see this! We left the next day for Canada.
A few months later, while in a shop having the battery changed in my watch, I asked the jeweler if he would appraise the ring I was wearing. I felt a bit smug knowing that I bought it in Thailand. He examined the piece thoroughly, put down his magnifying glass and said quietly, “this ring is worth about $500CAD –the design is very attractive but the diamond has tiny cracks and the sapphire lacks lustre”. I was stunned! I must have been the only person in this world who paid twice the price of what a ring bought in Bangkok was worth!
Ironically, three years ago my jewellery box, containing my prized possessions from around the world, was stolen from my house. My great buy, the sapphire ring, was in there. I sometimes wonder if the thief managed to sell it for more money than what I paid for it.
