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Two weeks ago, I sat opposite a jeweller. I had accompanied my friend, Linda, to get repairs done on her wedding ring. I have never truly paid attention to either rings or their cost, so I initially sat with pure disinterest, as I waited for that episode to pass so that we could walk back to the office, chatting about more exciting things in life.
My friend explained to the jeweller what needed to be done to the ring. I tried to look at the problem she was describing, but I could not see it. She handed the ring to the jeweller, who used something that looked like a magnifying glass to examine it. I wanted to tell my friend that whatever issue they were struggling so hard to find did not seem to matter, but I decided to keep quiet.
My mind shifted to the extensive security system in that shop. We had to go through two security checks and a door that turned green automatically after scanning us to allow us in. Above us, two security cameras were beaming. Had we not been smack in the middle of the Nairobi Central Business District, I would have sworn that we were entering an airport.
Read: Politics of the wedding ring
“You need to bring in your rings for polishing once every year. That will keep the polishing cost low, and you will not need to replace any diamonds,” I heard the jeweller say. I did not hear what my friend said in response.
My eyes took in a chest of what looked like wedding rings in drawers. I made a mental note to go check them out after the sit-down conversation. I also noticed some necklaces neatly arranged on the shelf next to where we were sitting. They looked nothing like the ones sold near Kencom bus stop for Sh350. It is true what they say – when you see real gold, you will know.
When my mind zoned back to the conversation Linda was having with the jeweller, my jaw dropped. She asked for the cost of the repairs and the guy casually said it was Sh60,000, and gave her the payment details. First, I thought I had heard my own things. Then I thought we were all joking. But instead of laughing, my friend pulled out her phone and paid the required amount as the conversation shifted to when she should go back to collect the ring.