Paul Harris-Magri, owner of Hills Jewellers, Felixstowe, talks about his unexpected 40th birthday present.
My perfect piece is a diamond and platinum ring, set in a gypsy-style eight-claw setting with ornamental heart shapes on the side.
It was made by our repairer in Bedfordshire and began life as a Cartier bracelet. Set in the bracelet was a beautiful diamond in a rub-over setting. When my wife saw it she asked me, in what Iβm sure was a moment of forethought, if Iβd ever wanted a diamond ring.
Fast forward to New Yearβs Day and Iβd forgotten all about the bracelet and the question. We were holidaying in Cornwall and on the morning of our first full day she presented me, in her own way, with a brand new, gypsy-style ring: βHere you are.β
I told her I didnβt like it.
I was joking, of course. From the moment I put it on my finger Iβve always cherished it. It is something that I absolutely love and was the perfect present to celebrate my 40th birthday. Iβve treasured it now for over a decade.
Everyone compliments it. Itβs just over a carat in weight so itβs heavy. When people come into the shop and ask if itβs real diamond I always reply, βof course itβs not!β But the people who are closest to me know. And they know what it means to me.
Itβs just part of me as a person, really. It makes me feel complete. When youβve owned something for so long you get that indent on your finger β a bit like your wedding ring β and you canβt imagine not wearing it.
It was even more special because it wasnβt expected. You tend to remember things that come out of the blue.
When the time comes Iβll pass it on to my two girls. Hopefully theyβll give it to their children if they have any. Whatever happens, I know that they will keep it and cherish it.
My advice to people looking for something similar is βdonβt!β. Instead, choose something that fits the personality of the wearer. Bigger isnβt always better where jewellery is concerned. What is better is choosing a piece that is an extension of the person and complements them in every way.
The Perfect Piece is a series of stories from CMJ members and staff about the pieces that mean the most to them.