The Romance of Jewelry

“With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?” – Isaiah 46:5.

Please read Luke 16:19-31.

In April, 1987, Sotheby’s auction house sold the jewelry owned by the late Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Twelve hundred buyers at the site, and others sitting by phones around the world, dueled fiercely to purchase specimens made by Cartier, Seaman Schepps, Harry Winston, David Webb, or Van Cleef and Arpels.

Buyers scattered $33.5 million over a wide range of purchases. A Japanese diamond merchant paid the highest price, $3.15 million for a thirty-one carat diamond ring. Liz Taylor paid $625,000 for a diamond clip. Divorce attorney Marvin Mitchelson paid $605,000 for a turquoise, amethyst, and diamond bracelet. The Cartier Museum in Paris paid $1 million for a diamond and sapphire panther seated on a large cabodion sapphire. An eighteen-carat gold cigarette case brought $293,000. The Duchess’ emerald and diamond engagement ring brought $1.93 million.

As the Duke’s love for his Duchess grew through the years, so did his desire to endow her with stunning, jeweled masterpieces. To prove that the romance of jewelry survives, present day buyers paid almost five times the amount auctioneers expected.

John’s explanation of the new Jerusalem is built around precious jewels, gems, and minerals. Christians differ on how literally the language is to be taken, but its meaning cannot be mistaken. Our eternal experience with God will be as precious, as valuable, as mind-boggling, and as remarkable as the diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds that attract people today.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
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