My next stop is Laughlin’s high-endantique store. I walk inside and draw a very long breath in. Old stuff. I lovethe smell of it. “Good afternoon.” An older woman with short gray hair greetsme. “Is there something I can help you with today?”
“Yes, your website says you specialize invintage and antique wedding rings.”
“Yes we do.”
“It also says you buy antiques.”
I produce a small box out of my purse. Ihad my mother priority ship it to me. “I’d like to see about selling this.” Thewoman opens the box. It doesn’t look like much and it’s the one thing I’ve everfound between yard sales, thrift stores, and estate sales that’s worthsomething. I never thought I’d sell it, but I want to get Cole something justas special as he’s given me. This seems like a small sacrifice compared to whathe’s done for me. I know Cole has said his money is my money, but this I mustbuy on my own. I need to feel like I’ve given him a genuine gift and notsomething I bought with money he gave me. “I know the ring doesn’t look likemuch but…”
“No, it’s Victorian for sure. I’ll haveour appraiser look at it while I show you our wedding bands.”
“Your website said you carry Kent Kirarings?”
“Yes, we’re the only dealer in Nevadathat carries his rings.” The lady proclaims, carrying the box around a glasscounter. “Landon, I have an appraisal for you.”
A man comes out of the back; he looks tobe in his mid-thirties. The gray-haired woman hands him the box and I watchLandon turn towards the back, “Um, so you know, that piece of jewelry isinsured and has had many pictures taken of it.”
The appraiser holds the box up, giving mea friendly smile. “No worries, miss, it’s safe with me.”
Yeah, sure it is. You don’t know themonth I’m having.
“Now, I don’t think I introduced myselfto you. I’m Marie Crowley.” She holds out her hand for me to shake.
“Kate Holt. It’s nice to meet you,” Isay, shaking her hand.
“Well now, let’s show you those Kent Kirawedding bands.” She leads me over to another glass countertop. She pulls asmall case of silver and gold bands and sets them on a piece of black felt.I’ve always liked Kent Kira jewelry; it has a very vintage feel to it. I knowimmediately which one I want to buy for Cole but decide I’m going to work myway to it.
“Why don’t you tell me about them.” Ismile at her.
“This one…” She holds up a two-tonedband. “…is platinum with gold inlay and has a small leaf pattern. This bandruns 2,299.99 dollars and is the best value Kira ring we carry.”
I give a silent snort; by best value, youmean the cheapest. She goes through a couple more rings and then picks up theone I want.
“This ring is platinum and has intricatescrollwork, which was popular among wedding bands in the thirties and forties.This is our highest priced ring at 3,999.99.”
I hold out my hand for the band. “May I?”Maria gently places it in my hand. Of course, the one I want is the mostexpensive, but with the Victorian ring money, I won’t have a problem. “Do youhave it available in a size ten?”
Maria holds her hand out for the ring andI give it back. “Let me check for you.” She puts the rings away, securing them,and then disappears into the back room. I glance around the store. There arebeautiful antiques on display everywhere. Teacups, and full tea sets, oldrestored radios that look like new, lamps and furniture. Jewelry isstrategically placed in glass cases. I notice a ruby necklace directly behindme. It has a large red teardrop stone with dozens of smaller rubies anddiamonds.
“That’s an exquisite piece.” I jump,startled at the man peering at me from the other side of the glass. “Sorry, Ididn’t mean to scare you.” He smiles. He’s nice looking; tall, broad shoulders,jet back hair, dark brown eyes, and olive skin.
“No worries, just a little startled. Thisis a nice piece for semi-precious stones.”
“It’s not real?” he questions.
“No.”
“How do you know?” He walks around thecase so he’s standing next to me.
“You can tell from the lighting and theway the rhinestones shimmer. It also looks like the necklace is cased insterling silver and not gold. You can see the tarnish on the sides. This pieceis beautiful for sure and was very popular in the fifties, but it’s nothingmore than very well preserved art deco jewelry.”
“Wow, you have a good eye.”
“Well, that and if this piece wasgenuine, would you have it on display in the middle of the store in a cheapglass case? With minimal security?”
He gives a short laugh. “No, I wouldn’t.”
“Me either.”
