Description

May 1, 2009 - 5:30 PM

The windows that line the side of the building are tinted like the windows of a tricked-out Honda. The front doors, however, are clear and welcoming. Just past these doors is a mural of a happily engaged couple that covers the entire wall-the bride-to-be's diamond popping out of the photo at eye level. After turning the corner, jumpy couples enter a fork in the room. To the left, there is a room filled with artistic displays of sapphires, rubies, and various-colored stones set into intricately designed necklaces, earrings, and rings. But there are only a few shoppers at the counters in that room because to the right, cases upon cases of wedding and engagement settings sparkle alluringly.

Entering couples quicken their steps toward the shimmering glass chambers. After a few moments, smooth salespeople, who make sure to let the customers know they are not paid on commission, glide over to make themselves available to each delighted pair. When a setting catches the eye of one of the women, she demurely calls for a saleswoman to open the case and set her imagination free. As she slides the ring over her finger, a look of relaxed glee takes over her youthful face. The reflections of the diamonds glint in her eyes, sending her mind to the day when this ring will rest on that finger forever.

Her husband-to-be sneaks a glance away from her hand and toward her beautiful face, seeing for the first time the excitement they've both been waiting for. The saleswoman humbly smiles at the couple, taking in the love and elation that is only shared by a future husband and wife.

They move around the room, picking up different rings to replace ones that aren't quite right. The couple sees hundreds of rings. They like a few, but none of the rings send them over the edge. The saleswoman excuses herself for a moment and the couple nods agreeably about one of the rings they have chosen, shaking their heads about the others. When she returns, the saleswoman unveils the ring. The bride-to-be's eyes pop open and her jaw drops; she can hardly wait for the ring to leave the saleswoman's hands before she slips it past her slender knuckles into its rightful place.

"That's what we've been looking for," says the saleswoman.

The woman giggles and steals a quick peek at her future husband to see what he thinks before swiftly looking back to the ring of her dreams.

The ring has fourteen diamonds that make the shape of a pink breast cancer ribbon with the loops toward the center, where the 1.01 carat center stone will someday sit. The ribbons are raised off the band to allow more space and light to illuminate the complementary stones. While the couple fawns over the perfect ring, the sales woman goes to the back and brings out several diamonds for the couple to choose from. They compare clarity, color, and cut of the diamonds, and when they settle on a stone, the saleswoman drops it into the ring where it balances on the prongs.

There is a joyous silence. Nothing more needs to be said. The ring looks perfect; teetering between tasteful and glamorous, just like the bride-to-be.