It was sapphire

by

This is a piece I wrote in two parts, as you will discover. It is an experience I share with my closest friends, and I’d like to share it with you. This is for women everywhere.

The Beginning – Bangkok, 2002

I was presented with a silver band topped with beautiful blue sapphires. It was an elegant ring without being too showy. I held my breath as I eyed each delicate stone. It was perfect for me, but I said no.

“You should buy it for yourself! Do not wait for a man to give you this!” The Thai saleslady barked at me.

I shook my head and said I wouldn’t mind waiting. I got myself a pair of diamond earrings instead.

Years later, I got the man of my dreams but not the sapphire ring. I wear my diamond earrings when I feel a surge of individuality and independence, but I still think of the ring from time to time. While my wedding ring fits me perfectly, it is not entirely who I am. Only that sapphire ring knows me.

*****

The New Beginning – Bangkok, 2007

I was presented with a band of white gold topped with beautiful light blue sapphires. It was an elegant ring without being too showy. I held my breath as I eyed each delicate stone. It was perfect for me.

“Mister! You should get your wife something nice!”, the Thai saleslady barked at my husband.

I shook my head and said that I was getting it for myself.

The man of my dreams stood by me and smiled. He knew the story of this sapphire ring. Over five years, the ring of sapphires called out to me, and now it is wrapped snugly around my finger. I look at it fondly from time to time. While my wedding ring fits me perfectly, it is not entirely who I am. This sapphire ring — it knows me.

I am complete.

15 Comments on It was sapphire

  1. Em Dy
    January 25, 2008 at 7:59 am (16 years ago)

    Again, excellently written. You really should put all this in a book. Have you tried Lulu.com?

    Notyet! I have been thinking about self-publishing and have started gathering some of my pieces, but something still is holding me back. Thank you for the Lulu.com tip! I have made a note of it and hopefully when I feel ready, I will revisit the site and throw myself into self-publishing wholeheartedly. Thank you Em for the kind words and the lead!

    Reply
  2. Dr Emer
    January 25, 2008 at 10:33 am (16 years ago)

    Other people read love stories. But you?
    You live your love stories, Toni.
    Galing talaga. I’m proud to be your friend.

    Hi Dr. E! Awww, thanks. I am undoubtedly a romantic and have no qualms about it. I am quite calculating when it comes to other things in life. However, where love and self-discovery is concerned, I throw myself into those situations without any qualms. Love is life. *hugs*

    Reply
  3. jojo
    January 25, 2008 at 10:41 am (16 years ago)

    beautifully written…

    pero, where is the photo??? πŸ˜€ share mo naman.

    i got my dream ring when we were in BKK too.

    Ay shy ako. πŸ˜€ Basta imagine nalang a line of light sapphires set against white gold. πŸ˜€ When we see each other in person, for sure I will be wearing it so I’ll show it to you then. πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  4. meekerz
    January 25, 2008 at 2:36 pm (16 years ago)

    nice story! :) it reminds me of the de beers women of the worlds ads. i love those ads!

    EXACTLY MEEKERZ!!! It’s like the “right-hand ring” campaign that they have. πŸ˜‰ When I first saw their campaign, I thought: THAT’S MY SAPPHIRE RING STORY! πŸ˜€

    To those interested, here’s a link to the right-hand ring campaign: http://www.adiamondisforever.com/hot/asadvertised.html

    Reply
  5. Cookie
    January 25, 2008 at 4:36 pm (16 years ago)

    I’m sorry Toni, naiiyak ako sa kwento mo…that is sooooo sweet!! Seriously!!

    My husband got me sapphires in Bangkok too. I had a sapphire ring which was given by my Dad for my college graduation. My hubby got me earrings and a pendant to match it. Pero brasuhan ang nangyari..hehehe :)

    BTW, Bangkok sapphires are unrivaled. You have to show me this ring one of these days :)

    Awww *hugs*

    Haha bigla akong nahiya bigla sa ring ko. Simple lang siya ha! Like the wearer. Hahaha!

    Reply
  6. dhey
    January 25, 2008 at 4:47 pm (16 years ago)

    don’t you just love it when your partner just looks on quietly, satisfied at seeing you so happy? :) ahehehe…
    sana nga may picture. pero OK na din. the story’s beautiful!

    Imagine nalang natin ang ring. πŸ˜€ Light blue sapphires with white gold. πŸ˜‰ And yup, it’s a lovely feeling when your partner looks on so lovingly.

    Reply
  7. Daphne
    January 25, 2008 at 5:37 pm (16 years ago)

    “Don’t wait for a man to give you this ring” – wow that’s an excellent sales pitch from that Bangkok jewelry sales lady huh!

    Kidding aside, this is a heart warming story Toni

    Thanks for sharing it with us, your faithful blog readers. :)

    I was going to ask for a snap of the ring on your finger but di bale I will just imagine it based on your description from the comments πŸ˜‰

    Galing ng sales talk ‘no?! But it made such a huge impact on me! I applied it in other aspects of my life also.

    Don’t wait for a man to rescue you. You are perfectly capable.

    Don’t wait for a man to pull your seat. You can do it yourself.

    But it’s all a balance of course, as we are permitted to be treated like princesses by our Prince Charmings. πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  8. Via
    January 25, 2008 at 10:21 pm (16 years ago)

    pls post photos of the earrings and ring para mas dramatic!!! :)

    Ay imagination nalang. πŸ˜€

    Reply
  9. Nina
    January 26, 2008 at 12:07 am (16 years ago)

    wow :) that was quite a story!

    And one I love to share. Hopefully it inspires too! :)

    Reply
  10. Jeanny
    January 26, 2008 at 1:00 am (16 years ago)

    wow…galing!!! nicely written, I just love it. and your story, so sweet…kinilig ako. :)

    Yeehee. Heehee. Thanks sa comments.

    Ako rin kilig!

    Reply
  11. lady cess
    January 26, 2008 at 9:33 pm (16 years ago)

    this is a beautiful piece toni. :)

    Cess…. thank you. :)

    Reply
  12. nina
    November 12, 2009 at 8:37 am (14 years ago)

    my husband went to Bangkok for business trip. I was not able to join him so I just asked for Durian Chips. When he came back, I got Durian Chips plus silver bracelet with emeralds – my birth stone (although it looks more of a peridot because it is light green) and I remember this post. I wish though he bought the sapphires and rubies or dark emeralds hehehehehe…
    .-= ninaΒ΄s last blog ..Quotes by Bob Ong =-.

    Wow! Durian with jewelry, what a combination right? πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  13. Laura
    March 4, 2013 at 2:08 am (11 years ago)

    What a great story and strong message..loved it! I’ve been eying up a few of these amazing sapphire rings myself: http://www.brilliantearth.com/rings/blue-sapphire/engagement-rings/ Who says I have to wait for an “engagement?” Many of them are perfectly appropriate for everyday jewelry! You may have just inspired me… !

    Reply
  14. Alena@TheHomemadeCreative
    March 6, 2014 at 11:30 pm (10 years ago)

    I love it!! β™₯ You know, I was engaged to a boy once ages ago, who gave me a stunning black hills gold and emerald ring, then took it back when he dumped me (no great loss, my only regret is that I didn’t end it first). I’m happily married to the love of my life now, but I miss that ring. I had the same feeling about it that you describe. Though in my dreams, it’s a little different than it was in real life. Perhaps someday I will find my emerald and gold ring somewhere, and it will know me, too.
    Alena@TheHomemadeCreative´s last blog post ..The Santa Barbara Bar

    Reply
    • Toni
      March 7, 2014 at 6:20 pm (10 years ago)

      Beautiful story!! You will find your way to your ring soon! Or it will find its way to you. :)

      Reply

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