Good Stones

The trip was almost over when I stumbled into a small Navaho jewelry store on the square in Santa Fe.  I thought I’d check for rings, but what I really hoped to find was a natural turquoise necklace that wasn’t too extravagant that I could take apart to use the stones in my art studio.  I saw a clearance sign and headed back there.  The necklace I picked up was marked $270. and the shop owner quickly came to my side.  “The least I can let that go for is $90.” he said.

I smiled, “I just wanted something I could take apart.”  His eyes opened rather largely and his smile said “fruitcake.”

He held up a necklace with small cut stones from the clearance rack.  “I would let you have this for $29.” he offered.  I smiled and shook my head.  He nodded and went back to his seat behind the counter. 

On my way out I spied a necklace.  It was also rough stones, but they were quite nice and similar in size, texture and color to one of the pieces in my friend’s find.  The tag said $498. 

The man behind the counter commented amiably,  “You have an eye for good stones.”  I smiled and took my hand from the necklace I knew I wouldn’t buy, thinking I learn quickly and I’ve learned from the best. 

I turned and saw a man’s bracelet in the display case.  I thought, “If it’s not too expensive, it might make a good Christmas present.”  It was an old piece with one very large natural stone flanked by two small stones in a chunky silver setting.  The price tag was turned downward.

The man handed it to me.  It felt awesome in my hand but knew as soon as I spied the price that it would wipe out my bank account.  I handed it back and said it was beautiful and that I loved the one beside it as well.  No it was not necessary to take it out.  Another man had come in from the back: a younger man who stopped and looked at my choices.  “She knows good stones,” he observed. 

“Yes, she does,” offered the other.

Yes, I do, I thought.  Now why didn’t I look at jewelry in the canyon?