My Fashionable Mother

During the 1950’s a pearl necklace was an essential fashion accessory. I remember how excited my mother was the day she brought home her necklace. Apparently, there is a “tooth test” for real cultured pearls and I recall my mother rubbing the necklace against her teeth. Real pearls feel gritty as opposed to fake ones which are smooth. She let me try the tooth test, but what I recall most of that day is how we giggled together.

After she passed, I found the pearl necklace in pieces and vowed to one day have them restrung. Twenty-nine years had passed, and the pearls still sat in my jewelry box. It was time to relive that memory, so I had a necklace, and a pair of earrings made. When I wear them, I remember to giggle.