The jewel maker needed a dose of creativity. All his work to date had been good. People loved the shop. However, there was something missing. There was more to just getting pieces of metal to submit to his will to be the shapes he wanted.

Making jewelry was an art that required passion. This passion was fading. That was until a new customer arrived. The man looked like he knew what he wanted. Without looking about or wasting time, this man asked if the jeweler made custom specialty pieces.

The last few times the jeweler had heard such a request, it was from a group of youngsters trying to show off how much they knew about being kinky. His shop was too prestigious for games like this. Alas, however, he had to accept some of that business, because these youngsters were willing to pay for their trinkets. It kept the bills paid. Even if those pieces were not the most expensive or time consuming to make.

Trying to hide his boredom and disdain, the jewel maker inquired of the man what he was looking for… hoping this more mature man had something more substantial in mind for his custom specialty pieces.

“I’m looking for pearls” the man asked calmly.

Not that there was any reason to be anything other than calm, but most guys who wanted something special had an air of nervousness about them. Not this guy. No, he knew what he needed.

“Of course. I do all manners of pearls. What do you have in mind?” the shop owner asked with minimal interests while pointing to the pearl section of his display.

“Good. I’m sure you don’t mind diving for a specific specification that will take you a few months to prefect” the man said.

Now the shopkeeper grew interested. He had not taken a dive for pearls in a long time. It was far easier to source pearls from other vendors than going after the best pearls of the sea. Those were harder to come by an far too pricey for most customers of this ‘disposable’ era of society.

“I do still dive, but what exactly do you have in mind?” the shop owner asked with intrigue.

Producing a stack of index cards, the man showed diagrams of what he had in mind. The shop owner was fascinated. This was going to be near impossible to do. Three very exact specification of sizes that were not industry standards. This project involved a lot of pearls. This would cost a fortune. Who was this client?

“I can do this, however, I do have a question” the jewel maker said in a trailing voice as his thoughts got lost in a few of the cards.

“Should you not have all the tools I require, let me know so that I can have them brought over to you” the man noted.

“That won’t be necessary… I think… do you have any idea how expensive this request is?” the shop keeper asked with furrowed brows.

“No. However, should you want repeat business, I’m sure we can find a number that works well for the both of us” replied the man.

When Pearls Tantalize

It had been months of hard work. Diving every day. Looking for the right set of pearls. Each of the elements of the design had to be precise. According to the client, most of the pearls could come off the shelf, as those were not the most expensive or more exacting parts of the necklace. This helped keep the cost down.

As the due date was arriving, the man dove longer and further down to find the last set of pieces to complete the project. Local divers grew ever more worried that the shop keeper was taking too many risks to find the perfect set of pearls. Whoever this client was, it was significant, as the shop keeper didn’t disclose why such pearls were important.

With a few days to spare, the diver found the pearls he was looking for. They were big. They were beautiful. They would have fetched a fortune. Given the nature of the build, these pearls would not sell for the value they could have. Their real value was in the service they would provide to the woman so blessed to wear them.

Back in his shop, the jewel maker embarked on the hardest work of his career. Converting these rare precious large pearls into the shiny vehicles the client wanted them to be. No one had ever asked for this level of craftsmanship before. No one had guaranteed that there would be several other clients to follow with similar demands and deeper pockets.

When the work was done. He called his client over to inspect the work. The smile told the story. The man was impressed. The pearls were flawlessly balanced and polished as requested. The man pulled out a box and lifted out what looked like an ivory coated rectangular container.

As he touched the object with gentle respect, the client let a smile slowly grow across his face. His eyes, keenly focused on the pearls, seemed to glow with dreams.

“This is perfect. You’ve exceeded my expectations, I will double your fee in gratitude for what you’ve done for me” the client said.

The jewel maker, proud of his creation, was very happy with the generosity of his client. However, he was also very curious about the nature of the design.

“With all due respect, sir, what exactly did I build?” the shop keeper cautiously asked.

“All these youngsters who pester you have yet to graduate to this level of play” the client said with a playfully raised eyebrow.

Realization started to dawn on the shop keeper. Then the light bulb turned on. These pearls were going to dazzle, amaze, and surprise the wearer. Now he understood why each pieces had to weigh a certain amount. They were part of a bigger design that a lady had to wear with ease and grace. When ensembles had too many heavier jewels, the wearer was not able to move as graciously as they should.

“Your secret is safe with me. Any time you need me to adjust anything, it is my honor to do so free of charge” the shop keeper beamed.

“I appreciate that. I will be bringing you a steady stream of discerning clients over the next couple of months. They will want their own custom pieces. I’ll have the designs ready for you soon” the client finished.

Holding the pearls up to admire them, the client let his imagination carry him to the look on his wife’s face when he’d be placing these pearls on her skin for the first time. He saw the goosebumps. He saw the beam gleaming in her eyes.

This was going to tantalize in more ways than one. His wife was going to love her pearls more than anything else he had gotten her to date.

The jewel maker felt alive again. Seeing the passion in the eyes of his client revived in him the missing tingle he had been searching for. Creating statement pieces that transcribed love from one person to the other.

The way this client glowed with expectations and joy was why he had gotten into the pearl business to start with. Sure diamonds made women giggle with glee and left the men feeling depleted financially. But pearls were different. They held a story. Fewer and fewer customers understood this these days. But, when one had a customer, who was transfixed in the beauty while imagining the future with the artwork, that made it all more than worth it.

The jewel maker wondered who this woman was that was going to receive this priceless work of art. If the pearls blended into the ensemble as the design suggested it should, the shop owner mused, this woman would never part with her pearls for all the money in the world.

These were truly priceless pearls. The shop owner had created the first of its kind masterpiece. There probably would never be another set adorned exactly like this. Pride filled his heart.

Whoever these new clients were going to be, the jewel maker was eager to meet them. His business was now elevated to a new tantalizing high.

to be continued

The Full Story

The full story of the customer and his lady will be told in pieces called “Game of Pearls” … yes… super original lol

---

Game of Pearls

• Pearls…not just for tantalizing necklines - Behind every story... is a story. Here is the inspiration that led to the 'backstory' that will give rise to the mini series - "Game of Pearls" Enjoy a unique look at pearls... skin... bliss....
• When Pearls Tantalize - Intro: Game of Pearls What the jewel maker needed was a challenge to his creativity. Selling jewels was profitable but getting boring. That was until a client arrived with a special request for custom pearls. Life changed. A spark re-ignited. Introducing a mini-series
• A Game of Pearls - Game of Pearls 1/3 It was supposed to be a nice pool party. Nothing fancy. But.. her man needed her to wear some pearls. So.. pearls it was. She had no idea how rare, precious, and priceless these pearls were. His wicked smile didn't give away any hints
• Fine Royal Pearls - Game of Pearls Part 2/3 Some mighty fine royal pearls these were. Her face kept blushing. His pride kept swelling. Who knew that bringing priceless pearls to a pool party was going to make things extra hot...
• Pearls of a Game - Games of Pearls Part 3/3 Pearls of a Game brings the climactic heat of the pearls to light. She wants more. He's happy to provide more. Things get a bit naughtier as fun escalates.