Gemscentric

Written by Julian Robov


Fifty


When Rudy walked in to The Blue Color Club, Potch and Khanita were sitting at the table talking to a woman he had never met before.
“I must say, Mr Rudy, I have been hearing a lot about you from Peter. Hi, I am Andalucia Jones. Call me Andalucia. I specialize in gemstones—the science part, especially color,” she announced.
“Well, glad to meet you.”
Later, Busaban entered through the swinging doors, cheerful and positive. They all moved to the conference room for further discussion regarding the new project.
“So what’s new?”
“We would like to test the market, first with blue sapphires, and then by adding other blue colored gemstones consumers would be having a multiple choice situation. Then we would go for other colors. Mind you, we are interested only in natural gemstones,” Potch said.
Khanita shook her head approvingly. “I would also like someone to educate people regarding the importance of color in healing. It might be controversial, but believe me there are quite a lot of people out there who are just imperfect and curious—like us for instance, who would like to know how gemstone colors can impact on their lives.”
“In Rigveda, sapphire is considered as a gem of the highest class, especially if the gem is light blue, well-polished, and free from inclusions and blemishes. It’s believed to have magical powers in healing diseases related to the brain and stomach. From a spiritual perspective, it symbolizes harmony, truth, serenity—at times soothing and calming the mind, and other nervous irritations,” Andalucia added.
“Do you think people are interested in all these details?” Rudy asked, looking completely blank.
“One way or another yes,” Potch said. “Today people around the world feel insecure. Sometimes it could be, because they have too much money or vice versa. They are looking for all sorts of miracle cures when in trouble or to feel good. It’s an impermanent world. Married couples are having few children or may be they don’t want to raise families anymore, instead they want to enjoy their quality time with beautiful things in the world. In a globalization era, women and teen-agers are working, and they have their own money, and when people have discretionary income, and if they like to spend their money, gemstones are a perfect alternative, especially blue sapphires. I have seen people speaking to gemstones, because they don’t have anyone close enough to speak to, can you believe this? It’s happening right now. And gemstones speak an international language. They have color, brilliance, durability, and most important of all, they never die like us. Gemstones live on. If we can tailor a believable story with science, history, and commonsense, then we are playing a fair game. Don’t forget, we are manipulating the most beautiful blue stone on earth. What’s wrong with that?”
Finally, Rudy nodded satisfied with an answer, but his thoughts drifted back to Seri, James and the Governor. He had so many things to do in such a short time, and now the topic for discussion was sliding into some other phase. Yet without them his pet project would be dead.
“I had a meeting the other day with a representative from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. We had a lively conversation. In fact, he drifted a bit away from the travel promotion concept to the need of social development so that the plan accomplished, both profit and charity—to make national development and social economics affordable, and environmentally friendly to all. A kind of joint-venture between government and private sector. One example he suggested was Naraiphand, a successful trading center. The government can help by providing direction, while the private sector implements the task. As you all know too well, small gem cutters, brokers, and dealers sell their stones directly to buyers from abroad, and quite a lot have become successful earning considerable amounts of foreign exchange for the government. A realistic partnership between gem dealers, jewelers, artists, gift and souvenir dealers, antique dealers, arts and crafts loving public, hotel and travel industry, and charity foundations, would make a big difference. So if we can include the elements I have just mentioned, then the Blue Color City project could become a monumental success story,” Rudy explained.
“I think what you just said makes sense,” Khanita said, leaning back in her chair.
“Can you trust the government agencies? They are good in talking, listening, eating and sleeping, but when it comes to real work, they are useless,” Busaban opined.
“Someone needs to try to change that attitude,” Rudy continued. “If we can involve students and unemployed people, housewives, artists and craftsmen from around the country—to view the samples of arts and crafts, that in turn gives them a chance to observe and create their own work, and with the millions of tourists coming to this country someone must benefit. Indirectly this project should be a wake up call for the lazy, the ones who are satisfied with poverty, having nothing better to do. By setting up a training center, we would be creating an environment for the public to come and admire the beauty of gemstones, arts and crafts, enticing them to put their spare time to use.”
“You must be heading the United Nations Development Program Agency,” Andalucia remarked jokingly. “You have so much enthusiasm with this project.”
“I think you should thank Potch, Khanita and Busaban,” Rudy replied. “They are the real brains behind the project. I am just a tool.”
Potch felt humbled, searching for the right words to compliment.
“Okay, so far so good,” Khanita said. “It’s progressing and I want to make sure our time and money is well spent with the right people and ideas.” She then glanced at her watch.
“Good. Meeting adjourned for today,” Busaban said, her face flushed.
All eyes focused expectantly on Rudy.
“We’ll be meeting at the same place in a weeks time. By then I may have some good news to share and till then have a pleasant evening.”
Rudy’s cell-phone rang. The secretary to the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand had called informing the cancellation of the meeting. He had a heart attack.
“What is it?” Potch asked anxiously.
“Khun Somboon had a stroke. In fact, we were scheduled to have a meeting today. At seven o’clock. I hope he gets better,” Rudy answered.
“By the way, we are having a party at the Brazilian Ambassador’s residence. I will be talking to you tomorrow morning. I have something important to discuss with you,” she said tenderly. Rudy stood up.
He patted her shoulder. “Take care.”