On my 17th birthday, my father gifted me $100. It might have been because I had been invited for a prospective college student event, and it was his way of telling me he was proud of me, or he realized I was becoming an adult. Either way, I spent $70 at a store in San Diego on a pair of Larimar earrings, a stone found only in the volcanic regions of the Dominican Republic. It was the first time I bought something nice for myself.Â
“You can always tell what kind of a person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you.”
Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Although my earrings were not chosen by my father, the earrings signified my emergence into adulthood and independence.Â
The rest of my jewelry doesn’t approach the same price point and was chosen purely for their looks. My necklace, “Heart of the Ocean” Titanic-inspired necklace, came from a necklace-earrings set from JC Penny when I accompanied my family on Christmas shopping. Another version of the necklace was found at a store at the mall with small golden specks that add a pop of color to casual outfits. Before the clasps were replaced after constantly wearing them, these two necklaces were held together by thread and a safety pin.
I adore solid stone jewelry. For my senior graduation photoshoot, I am planning to purchase a pair of white gold earrings to wear during my shoot.
My earrings and necklaces are my reliable, everyday accessories. However, I could sometimes use something extra. On the days when I need extra confidence, I tell myself there is no better accessory than good posture. Our jewelry has the ability to express ourselves through an extension of our appearance, but good posture, among our best accessories, exhibits our power.Â