He drops to his knee.
Reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small box.
As it opens, you catch the unmistakable sparkle of a diamond.
Or is it?
Perhaps it is merely the suggestion of a diamond, manufactured crystal crafted to resemble the real thing.
So answer this –
Which would you rather receive – a fake diamond or authentic cubic zirconia?
In the first, the ring is presented as authentic, the hard stone born from eons under pressure.
In the latter, the ring is presented as what it is. Somewhat less than ideal, but entirely real.
In my first marriage, I chose the fake diamond of a relationship. On its surface, it was perfect. And I didn’t want to know the truth, the production that made it so beautiful. He told me it was real. Staged elaborate demonstrations to prove it was real. And I bought it, hook line and sinker.
And then, it was as though I went to sell the ring of the marriage in desperate need of money, only to find that it was worth merely pennies.
And now?
Now I proudly have a marriage of authentic cubic zirconia. It’s real, not perfect. It took intention and effort to form rather than the accidental and incidental creation of a diamond.
It’s beautiful, reflecting light into the dark corners. No illusion is needed to amplify its sheen.
There is no need to pretend it is more than it is. No need for the dance of words to create perceived value. No need for endless productions to convince others of its authenticity.
What it is is enough.
Imperfections and all.
After all, life is more beautiful with imperfections intact.
When we reveal and even embrace our humanness and accept it in others.
When we work to create beauty rather than illusions.
So, I ask you again. What would you prefer?
A fake diamond
or
Authentic cubic zirconia?
My ring is a white sapphire. It doesn’t sparkle as much as a diamond, but the reasons I love it go far deeper than sparkle. I feel the same way about my marriage, and I’m with you 100%. I choose the real thing, make with intent.
Reblogged this on Step Into My Head and commented:
This was such a timely post for me. I’ve spent the last few days thinking about my old marriage, what it was, what it wasn’t, and how my marriage now is so different, in so many good ways.
Plus, it made me laugh – because it reminded of yet another let down by my ex. After the divorce, I kept my jewelry. Not much, my ring, a pair of diamond earrings. That’s it.
Except it wasn’t.
When I went to sell my diamond earrings (to pay for bills necessitated by the divorce), I was informed that they weren’t real diamonds – they were glass, and therefore worth nothing. I was floored.
I had purchased those earrings with my ex, so I knew for a fact they were real diamonds.
Which means at some point, the ex got into my jewelry box, took the real earrings, sold them (for God knows what), and then replaced them with the fakes.
Sort of like our whole marriage.
I like the real deal.
I kid you not, true story, I cried without an engagement ring so he bought me an “Uncertified” diamond. In my pain and confusion to make things right I gave it to a church, put it in the donation box. At dinner, my brother in law complained about con artists that give fake rings to churches, there was an article in the paper. Dun Dun Dun dunnn, yep, it was mine. I will buy myself a watch someday instead.
Wow. What a crazy way to discover the fake diamond! I like your watch idea:)
I’d mine the damn thing and forge the ring myself to show how real I am. It might look like shit in the end, it might not be worth a dime, but she’d always know the lengths I’d go for her.
🙂 love it!