As a kid i'm not allowed to be near my mom's inventories, but my mom would always make sure that I'm wearing a pair of gold earrings. And she wouldn't allow me to take it off. To be caught without them, to her, is intolerable. Even if I've lost several jewelry pieces, she would replace them. During special ocassions, she would ask me to wear "special" ones.
When I became older, I would sit with my mom and would question about how one jewelry is better than the other. Or how this piece is pricier then the rest. My mom became my resource person. When I hear jewelry-related words that are alien to me like engaste, tubog, taga-sara, chizpas, etc., I would ask her and she would patiently reply to my queries. In a way, she became my jewelry dictionary. She's also my jewelry adviser. She told me that if I have extra money, jewelry is a sound investment. So when I started earning, I would ask my mom to pick a set that is good in quality and is affordable. I would pay her on installment. Up to now, I use those pieces and barring theft or my burara self taking over, i hope to pass them on to my children.
Jewelry fascinates me. I know I got it from Sally - my mom, and she got it from Aling Sianing, her mom. I get excited and giddy every time I see someone having a beautiful or unique piece. And I feel happy every time someone finds her "jewelry match".
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Three years ago, some people found out that I have an alahera for a mother. They requested me to bring some pieces and luckily I sold some. Then some would request for jewelry repair or tubog. One thing led to another. My mom guided me at first then she let me go. She told me that I can do it on my own. So I did. I started to enjoy sitting with the supplier to choose the pieces I'll show my clients. I also enjoying sharing what i know about jewelry and the bits and pieces of advice my mother imparted to me. But as I go along, I realized that what I knew is just a tiny pebble in the vast ocean floor. This prompted me to look for ways to educate myself more about jewelry. I saw in one of our supplier's wall some diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA, the proponent of the 4Cs (Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut) of diamonds, is probably one of the best, if not the best school for jewelry education. I visited their website and found out that they do offer distance education programs. Since it's the only thing I can afford and it's the most doable thing to do, i enrolled myself. I did this beginning of last year. I took 3 courses - Jewelry Essentials, Diamond Essentials and Color Stone Essentials which earned me the diploma of Accredited Jewelry Professional. Sa totoo lang, hindi siya mahirap. Anybody can do it. You just need to have the discipline and the time to read. I remember I would read when the kids are asleep or when I'm riding PUVs going to the office. The entire course is about reading. And making what you've read stick because there's an exam for every module. Two weeks ago, my diploma arrived in the mail. I gained a lot of knowledge and insight throughout the course which I wouldn't know if I didn't enroll myself. And I would like to share what I've learned to through my website the www.thegemlab.net. I'm not claiming expertise, it's just an outlet for me, a venue where I can share my passion for jewelries to the rest of the world, or to anyone who cares enough to listen.
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P.S. Thank you Nanay for introducing us, your children, to the beautiful world of jewelry. From the knowledge, to the inspiration, to the passion, I got them from you. As they say, it's in the genes. I thank the Lord because He decided that we should come from you. This time, I'm not just talking about jewelries. I love you, for the mom you are to us. You're our real gem.
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