I have a cold. All the usual symptoms – running nose, watery eyes, dry cough, generally feeling wretched. I went to bed early last evening and slept passably well throughout the night. When I chanced to awaken as is my custom around 7:00 am I decided it were best to get up and get moving. Before heading to the car wash (which opens at 8:00 am) I went shopping at Publix (which opens at 7:00 am) for the groceries I required. Although the store is located next to Walgreens (which is open 24 hours) I took the chance there would be stock cold medicine at Publix. And there was. I got Mucinex and NyQuil. I really have no idea which of them works if at all. I am in that respect a confessed slave to television advertisements.
It seems I can never make it through a winter without getting a cold. Undoubtedly it’s my fault. I have for example swum in the North Atlantic Ocean within recent days. Not exactly the ideal time to do so. And I’ve similarly hastened to abandon any semblance of a sweater over my golf shirt within the same window. But I hate being defeated. So at noon today I trotted (well, rode my bicycle) the short distance to the pool. The sun was already shining brilliantly and the temperature was approaching 78°F. There were very few people about the pool so I had my choice of location. I picked a remote area adjacent an umbrella and the square chairs (which I use to get up from the chaise longue) and nearby the staircase with the railing into the pool (so I haven’t to suffer the indignity of attempting the ladders). After having laid in the sun for a half hour or more I ventured into the pool. The water was already noticeably warmer than it was yesterday. Back and forth. Then I collapsed onto the lounge chair once again. More heat.
Not everything today is miserable. I have lately been communicating with my jeweller. As recently as this morning he emailed me to propose a resolution of my latest adventure into the world of glitter. By curious coincidence I have in mind a piece identical to one which his late father (predecessor of the business) made for me many years ago. In fact I had commissioned the piece through Birks which in turn subcontracted the order to him. As you might imagine I initially had no idea of the sub-contractual relationship (nor indeed until then had I any idea that that was the way things sometimes worked in the business). But the Birks jeweller was a chap with whom I had been acquainted through another local jeweller (where he had worked and with whom my mother also dealt) so our relationship was more open than might otherwise have been the case. I told the Birks chap that I wanted to speak directly to the jeweller who built the ring, to discuss certain particulars. The Birks chap knew how intense I can become about such details so he rightfully disclosed his contact and sent me on my way. Naturally the subcontractor observed what I presumed was his on-going association with Birks. The ring was made exactly to my specifications; I paid Birks and that was the end of the matter.
Since then many things have changed. When I retired I got rid of all my jewellery (except for one signet ring – but that’s another story), a purge which I felt coincided appropriately with our downsizing of real estate (of which we also divested ourselves). But like a creeping moss jewellery has reappeared within my vernacular. Initially it began with the purchase of sterling silver presumably on the assumption that it was far less expensive – which it was – and just as satisfying – which it was not. Eventually that stuff ended in a drawer. Incrementally I have acquired other gold jewellery – this time from the son of the chap whom I had met through Birks. I am now on the brink of another purge. Jewellery like any other fashion is appropriate or inappropriate for certain people. Age is the predominant governor. To use a gross example, you can imagine that an excessively glittery piece might work for an elderly woman but not for a younger woman. The same applies to men. Some pieces (like bracelets) are wrong on an older man. I’m now that older man. It’s time for me to capture a mode of expression which suits my age. I am not looking for something an archbishop might wear (a large vulgar crested ring sported on the middle finger for complete absurdity) or anything resembling what football players inherit when they win a championship. Nor do I want a delicate diamond ring as testimony to my business acumen. Instead mine is what I consider a reasonable alternative to a simple signet ring. It works as a “pinky” ring so it has that distinction as well. Finally it harbours a bloodstone which is the conservative choice of semi-precious stone as opposed to a more decorative lapis lazuli.
To bring this father-son creation full circle, attached below is the identical ring made by the father and subsequently sold by me through Dupuis auctioneers, Toronto. As I told the son last week I have always regretted selling that ring. It captures for me the ideal features of gold, design and weight. From what I know of the son’s artistic talent I look forward to his re-creation of the piece. Though the original mould is preserved I nonetheless expect to be tickled by the reproduction!
Post Scriptum (August 1, 2022):
Clearly my obsession with this stuff is insupportable and frankly somewhat ignominious for a professed intellectual such as myself. Such it is, I can neither refute nor perfect the accusation. What however I can do is report upon the evolution of a very fine piece of jewellery. The new bloodstone (made by Matthew Dixon or at least under his supervision) is not identical to the one made years ago by his father Ralph Dixon, the founder of Dixon Jewellers.
For over five decades Dixon Jewellers has led the Ottawa market in both service and quality, specializing in custom engagement rings, jewellery design, repairs and restorations.
Our founder, Ralph Dixon, began his jewellery career at the tender age of 14, sweeping floors and running errands for Skelton Jewellers in Montreal. By the late 50’s, although only 25 years old, he established himself as a master jeweller and went on to create stunning platinum and diamond designs for many of the firm’s famous clients, including Princess Margaret and President Eisenhower.
Of course he didn’t stop there! Continuing his success as a master jeweller he founded R.L. Dixon Ltd., a full service design studio catering to the trade, eventually opening a store front retail business as well. Ralph’s focus was always on offering the best quality jewellery at the best price and now, after 58 successful years in business we continue this tradition.
Ralph’s son, Matthew, is now at the helm and our close-knit group of jewellers have been working here a combined 97 years! We don’t have sales staff, we don’t work on commission and we pride ourselves on providing friendly, affordable and pressure-free service. The majority of Dixon’s jewellery is still hand-made, custom-made and manufactured on the premise. We like to call all of this ‘The Dixon Difference.’
The new piece has a similarly square bezel consisting of three tiers. The bezel is however larger; and, as a result the shank on both sides is less bulbous than the original piece. While I liked the bulbous appearance, I also prefer the larger bezel which in turn necessitates the flatter shank so as not to obstruct the comfort of the fit on the little finger when flattened to the fourth finger. In short the construction preserves the look without compromising the utility. Notably, given the size of the ring (40.2 grams), the feathered shank heightens the bloodstone without contaminating the ideal fit. I am struggling with this commentary because the fortuity and artistry of the piece is not something upon which I am accustomed to opine in other than the most mundane manner, “Oh my, I really like it!” I recognize however that there are a multitude of refinements within this one article of creation. Quite honestly every day I discover or unfold some further detail about the whole which reinvigorates my shameful absorption. The piece is all in one my red badge of courage, my crown, my signet and my Nomad protection from obscurity. It constitutes the ultimate article of possession within my sphere. Meanwhile it is the complement to all I already own. It completes my sense of need. It is the vessel of my communication, the spirit of my soul, the element of artistry which I have cleverly expropriated. Like many ideal pieces of jewellery it tells a story. And like other pieces which I have owned and which were made by Dixon Jewellery, I have every expectation that this new piece will blend suitably with the emerald sea by Key Largo this upcoming winter. The shimmering greenish yellow of the 18K gold is, in the right light from the sky, the ideal complement to the day!
