20.3

“What is this gem? Is it jade?”

Seonkyung pointed at a brooch set with a large, opaque green gem in the center.

It was a beautiful brooch, with a delicate pattern carved into the green gemstone, and a circle of tiny diamonds surrounding it.

“It’s an emerald.”

“An emerald that’s opaque?”

“All raw gemstones start off looking opaque. It’s the cutting and polishing that bring out the shine from within. This is a Mughal emerald.”

“Mughal, as in India’s Mughal Empire?”

“That’s right. In the Mughal era of India, opaque emeralds were popularly known as ‘moon tears.’ This brooch is a re-setting of a Mughal emerald carved in the 18th century. Only the square emerald is from the Mughal period, and it’s been re-set.”

Chaeyoon examined the brooch carefully as she spoke.

“How can you tell it’s newly set?”

“You can tell by the part surrounding the emerald—it’s not yellow gold. Although newly set, the piece itself is over 100 years old. The craftsmanship is beautiful, with no scratches or signs of repair, and it’s in excellent condition. The pattern carved into the emerald is very unique.”

“100 years?”

Seonkyung looked at the brooch again in amazement.

For something so old, it wasn’t tacky at all. It didn’t look like it was 100 years old at all. On the contrary, it was more elegant than any other piece of jewelry she owned, and it shone without sparkling.

Seonkyung was utterly captivated by the carved Mughal emerald brooch she encountered for the first time today. It was the first time her heart raced while looking at jewelry. She hadn’t expected the preview she attended to learn more about Chaeyoon to be so fascinating.

Well, it’s common for women to have a keen interest in jewelry as much as in clothes.

Seonkyung, who had a flair for dressing up, had always purchased from luxury brands, so antique jewelry was new territory for her. Perhaps it was due to Chaeyoon’s knowledgeable explanations, but in a short time, Seonkyung found herself deeply intrigued by antique jewelry.

Looking at it, Chaeyoon really did have a way with words. She would have been great at presentations. She indeed possessed many talents.

Knowing a lot was one thing, but being able to explain it engagingly was quite another.

“If you like what you see, you’re welcome to attend the auction. If you register in advance, you can also bid in writing or by phone.”

Seonkyung frowned thoughtfully.

“Well, it seems like a hassle.”

While she would have immediately purchased an item for sale, the thought of going through the trouble of bidding at an auction for a personal collection seemed daunting.

But even so, she couldn’t take her eyes off the emerald brooch without feeling a twinge of regret.

“The manager of an antique jewelry store I visited the other day told me that good antique jewelry isn’t something you can own just because you have a lot of money.”

“I don’t think so. If you offer more money to the person who won the bid, you can buy it.”

In Seonkyung’s world, money usually solves most problems.

Though people say you can’t buy health, life, or love with money, it can delay the progression of illness. It might not bring the dead back to life, but it can extend life; and even if it’s a lie, money can make someone pretend to love you.

Isn’t that buying almost anything?

“But what if the owner of the brooch doesn’t want to sell it as long as they live? Then you can’t buy it, can you?”

“That’s just a hypothetical.”

“Being able to buy it is also hypothetical. They say you can’t get antique jewelry unless the time is right, and if you miss the time, you can’t get it even if you want it, because you’re not the owner. People say they choose the jewelry, but it’s really the jewelry that chooses the person. You have to have the right taste and the right time to be the owner. In that sense, it may not be a coincidence that you found the Mughal emerald brooch in the most unexpected place. Perhaps the brooch’s energy called to you, but if you weren’t the owner of this brooch, you wouldn’t be able to get it even if you went to the auction.”

It was a somewhat preposterous story, yet Seonkyung was so drawn to Chaeyoon’s narrative.

“That manager sounds like the leader of a cult. Do you believe him?”

“Isn’t it romantic? Even if it’s not true, I want to believe it. I’ll be with antique jewelry for a long time, so I guess I’ll find out eventually.”

Chaeyoon looked blissfully happy as she gazed at the brooch, her face as bright as the moon.

It had been a long time since Seonkyung had seen someone look so genuinely happy.

Her heart felt stirred. She felt both envious and annoyed.

That’s right. There were things money couldn’t buy. 

Feeling genuinely happy. No matter how much money you spend, there are times when you’re not happy. And some people feel joy without spending anything.

That’s why people use money and power to dominate others. They make others feel deprived and humiliated, and only then, by placing themselves in a superior position, can they feel a sense of happiness.

“Anyone would think you’re the salesperson for this brooch, the way you talk so persuasively.”

Though the content might sound like a compliment, the sarcastic tone made it ambiguous whether it was truly meant as praise or a slight.

“It’s kind of an occupational disease. I’m a marketing major, so no matter what I look at, my mind automatically types in what the product’s strengths are and how to overcome its weaknesses to sell it. Especially things I like; I tend to see their strengths more clearly. I guess I went into sales mode without realizing it because this brooch suits you so well. I apologize, Vice Chairwoman.”

Chaeyoon clasped her hands together and apologized formally. As Seonkyung had noticed even from a brief earlier interaction, Chaeyoon carried herself with refined manners that spoke of good upbringing. 

Her mother had raised her well.

Seonkyung had never desired a daughter, but she thought that if she had one like Chaeyoon, it might have been worthwhile. She felt different from her sons.

“You throw caution to the wind when it comes to things you’re passionate about. Even if I buy this brooch, it brings you no direct benefit, yet you describe it with such fervor.”

“Why wouldn’t it benefit me? The Vice Chairwoman gets a fine brooch, and the brooch finds a worthy owner. But yes, I don’t hold back when it comes to things I love. I’ve always chosen what I love, and I’ve never hesitated to go through fire and water for it. It’s just that I didn’t want to appear too desperate, but I guess experience isn’t easily overlooked. You caught on immediately.”

Chaeyoon smiled at Seonkyung, her smile unmarred and bright. 

No wonder Seonho was so enamored of her.

Perhaps it was not unlike how quickly the brooch had enchanted her. 

Jewelry draws its rightful owner to it. But there are gems you desire that you cannot have. That’s what their relationship seemed like.

Of course, now that she understood, it doesn’t mean she’s willing to help Seonho’s romantic pursuits.

Once again, Seonkyung’s eyes returned to the brooch. Her face looked almost haughty, maybe even arrogant, as she gazed at it.

“I wonder if I’m meant to be its owner, or not. It’s almost becoming a matter of pride now. I guess I’ll have to participate in the auction. It’s tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Since you encouraged me to do this, you’ll make sure I don’t get bored until then?”

Chaeyoon looked slightly dazed but then burst out laughing.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Your way of speaking just reminded me of Seonho for a moment. It just clicked that you two really are mother and son.”

“That’s supposed to be a compliment, right?”

Seonkyung narrowed her eyes and asked.

“It’s just a fact. You have good timing, Vice Chairwoman. Just arriving when there’s an auction, and I happen to be on a break before my next study session.”

“I do tend to be lucky. Okay, let’s look around some more. Let’s see if anything else calls to me.”

“Okay.”

Though no other item captured Seonkyung’s heart quite like the emerald brooch had, having Chaeyoon by her side to explain the jewelry, design styles, and bidding strategies made the time pass enjoyably and interestingly.

Seonkyung eyed the rough gemstone with evident distaste. 

“Is this a raw stone? It’s quite ugly. It doesn’t look like a gem at all.” 

To her, the uncut stone was nothing more than a colored lump of rock, which didn’t appeal to her.

But Chaeyoon’s eyes lit up differently. 

“The way it’s cut and polished makes all the difference in the final gemstone shape. Isn’t that amazing? Just like a piece of wood becoming an artwork in the hands of a sculptor, I find it so enjoyable to imagine how these raw stones might transform.”

Chaeyoon’s enthusiasm was infectious, her voice almost singing with joy.

“And finding the right gem and jewelry for a person is also thrilling.”

“The right gem for a person?” 

“People have their own personal colors that suit them, right? I think it’s the same with gems. Each stone has its own energy. Some jewelry designers even choose stones by feeling their energy and drawing inspiration for their designs. I’m not quite there yet, but sometimes when I see someone, I can imagine which gem would suit them.”

“For example?”

“For my mom, I think of cognac diamonds—the color of whiskey. She often wears simple black or neutral-colored suits, and I imagine her with bold, simple-designed drop earrings and a ring. The size of the stone I want is a bit expensive, so I haven’t been able to make it for her yet, hehe.”

“Do you see any stone that would suit me?” 

“Just a moment.” 

Chaeyoon scanned the stones and then pointed to a pomegranate-seed-like red gem. 

“Garnet. Both Seonho and you somehow remind me of the color red. Though ruby is the quintessential red gem, garnet—with its blend of elegance and sensuality—seems more fitting for you. It’s also known as a ‘stone that brings luck,’ which seems to align with your good fortune.”

“Hmm, isn’t it considerably cheaper than ruby?” 

Seonkyung frowned slightly.

“It’s because it’s a semi-precious stone. If it’s for investment, sure, larger and more expensive gems are better. But for personal wear, it’s not about how expensive it is. What matters is whether it suits you or not.”

Chaeyoon spoke with conviction, leaving Seonkyung without a comeback. She glanced at the garnet briefly then shifted her gaze away.

“I think we’ve seen everything here. Let’s have dinner together. I’ve been dragging you around, so it’s on me.”

“What if I already have dinner plans?”

“Cancel them. I’m a busy person. Who knows when you’ll get another chance to have dinner with me.”

“So I should consider dining with you an honor?” 

Chaeyoon chuckled lightly.

“Are you making jokes at my expense now?”

“Of course not. Let’s go.” 

Chaeyoon quickly adjusted her tone to a more formal one as Seonkyung scowled.

Seeing this, Seonkyung thought.

She’s quick-witted and knows how to handle herself well.

But she’s a perplexing young woman.