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One afternoon in March 2004, Jody and her husband visited my store. Jody, a schoolteacher from Long Island, seemed weak and tired but excited about getting a gift for someone special. Her budget was modest, but her purpose was unique.
Jody explained that she has been afflicted with an illness that caused both of her kidneys to fail. She now relied on dialysis, but it wasn't a long-term solution. To stay alive, she needed a healthy kidney. Finding a kidney that matched and an owner who was willing to part with it seemed impossible. None of her family members' and relatives' kidneys were compatible.
Things were looking bleak until another teacher from her school, Joann, learned of Jody's plight and volunteered to be tested. Miraculously, Joann's kidneys matched. Even more extraordinary, Joann - a devoted teacher, wife, and mother of three - was willing to part with one of her kidneys and endure the risk and discomfort of a major operation to save Jody's life. In a world where selfishness is all too often the order of the day, this story of sacrifice and compassion was deeply and profoundly touching.
Jody felt that her gift to Joann should symbolize the special bond between the two women. I explained to Jody that we should select a diamond that represents the strength of Joann's love for her, as only the Solasfera - the most brilliant and beautiful diamond in the world - could do. The light the Solasfera sets free will symbolize, every hour of every day, Joann's amazing gift of life and love.
I shared with Jody that the Solasfera diamond was my patent-pending design and would not be available for another six months. But because of the extraordinary fit between her story and the purpose of the Solasfera, I would offer it to her. With one look at the Solasfera, Jody and her husband were mesmerized by its colors, reflections, and brilliance - even in dim lighting. I set a Solasfera diamond in an elegant white gold bezel necklace. Jody planned to present the necklace to Joann when their families got together a few weeks before the transplant operation.
Months passed. I wondered each day how it all turned out. The last week in July, Jody and her husband stopped by to see me. She looked as vibrant and radiant as the Solasfera. I was pleased to hear that the operation went well for both she and Joann - and that Joann wears her sparkling pendant all the time. Knowing that the Solasfera is rare and special made Joann feel even more rare and special, Jody said. I take great pride in knowing my diamond will forever reflect - for Jody, Joann, and all who see it - the wondrous light that only love can bring.
David So
