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What are we talking about here? Is it that thing on your shirt that is worn about your neck? Hey ... you gotta tuck that tie under the collar buddy. Is it used to describe busy beyond belief? Yo. Don't bother me. Can't you see I'm all collared up? A necklace perhaps? Oh dearie. That is a pretty little collar you have there. An arrest maybe? Oh officer. I do say. Are you going to collar that nasty chap over there?
The choices are endless. The excitement in discovering even more meanings is dizzying. But for now ... for purposes of jewelry and jewels ... let us remain with ... the collar around your neck. The big party is next week. Every one is going to be there. The Duke. The Duchess. The King. The Queen. Your husband is all set. White shirt. Tie. Tux. Black socks and shiny shoes and voila.
For you it's a little different. But you're prepared. Everything is back from the cleaners. Especially that pretty little silk blouse you bought in Paris last month. So nice and frilly with such a cute little collar. And now the day is upon you. You are bathed and perfumed. You opened the cleaner's wrapping ... and aieeee! The collar is discolored and frayed. The idiot burned it with an iron. What to do what to do?
You have no spare clothing ... at least nothing you would be seen dead wearing in front of the Duchess. Tears are streaming down your cheeks. Your husband tries to console you. You glare at him. You don't want sympathy. You want solution. Do something, you say. Fix it. He seems helpless ... then he suddenly grins at you. Be right back hunny bunny, he croons. He puts on a pair of jeans and sneakers and dashes out. He saw something at an antique jewelry store. A Van Cleef and Arpels doo-dad.
He returns ... victorious ... box in hand. You open it ... hands atremble. You can not believe your eyes. You rip the collar off the old blouse. You're reckless in your haste. Your happiness knows no bounds. For in that box ... a necklace ... in 18 karat gold. A lattice work creation of a collar in imitation of lace adorned with two flowers bouquets set with brilliant cut diamonds. Once again the day has been saved by the brilliance of a jeweler. You'll take care of the cleaner later. Tonight ... the Duchess is going to eat her heart out.
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And there ya have it. That's it for this week folks. Catch you all next week. Benjamin Mark
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