By Cheryl Jarvis and The Women of JeweliaTo many people, owning a diamond necklace may seem frivolous and also induce envy in many others. But what if you could change those feelings? What if you could change your life, your friends’ lives, and that of a community? Would that make owning it a little easier? Such is the question asked in “THE NECKLACE,” the story of thirteen friends and acquaintances that decide to share in the cost of a diamond necklace.
Several years ago, Jonell McLain saw a diamond necklace, valued at $37,000 in the window of a jewelry store in Ventura, California. At first, it inspired desire. Then she began to wonder why some luxuries were only for the few, why can’t something like this be shared by many? A few phone calls to some friends, a huge leap of faith, and about $1,000.00 later she and thirteen friends owned the diamond necklace.
But this story is about much more than a few California women wearing a piece of jewelry to the spa. It’s about women bonding, sharing their lives, and opening up to strangers and taking chances. It’s about giving someone’s daughter something special to wear on the most special day any woman could have, her wedding day. It’s also about creating a foundation for sharing and giving back to the community by hosting fund-raisers centered around Jewelia (the name they gave the necklace) and donating the money to worthy causes.
Time For Dessert! Decadent Champagne Cake
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup champagne
6 egg whites
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 10 inch round cake pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with champagne.
In a large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
You may have read many stories and seen movies that focus on the bonds that women create, (think of this book as the non-fiction, grown-up version of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series), but this paints that bond in a different light. These women, though they argued at times on how to share the necklace and the things they should do when wearing it, and even who would ultimately be in charge of the group, always came back together.
ReplyDeleteThis is a book that is not sad, but as Cheryl Jarvis writes the stories of these individual women, you may find yourself choking up a little, ( I did). You may even find yourself inspired, especially in these times we are living to create your own Jewelia. It doesn’t have to be a necklace, but you can certainly share a book!
In The Necklace, author Cheryl Jarvis tells the true story of thirteen women, ages 50 and up, from Ventura, California who jointly purchase and share a $15,000 diamond necklace. During their monthly meetings, the women build a bond of friendship that positively impacts themselves, their families and their communities.
ReplyDeleteMost significantly affected by the women of Jewelia, as the necklace was known, Priscilla Van Gundy was consumed with family and work before the necklace experiment. After the death of her sister, Priscilla withdrew into herself even further. Becoming part of the supportive, encouraging group of women, Priscilla blossomed into a fun, caring, talented woman. Her alteration was impressive.
The personal stories of each of the thirteen women in The Necklace are intimate and engaging. Additionally, the group inspiringly changed from a bunch of women sharing a necklace into a charitable fundraising, community outreach force. This book may inspire you to look for ways to meaningfully engage with other people so that as a group, you will be able to accomplish more together than you could alone.