Finding My Mojo

Recently, I published a memoir on my journey through a traumatic incident that left me with a permanent physical disability. I found the process therapeutic and allowed for a little acceptance that this, was my new forever. That realisation of forever being a really long time, stole my mojo. I decided the best way to try and get my confidence back and to remind myself that I was still me, was to indulge myself with a decadent piece of jewellery that declared to the world but, more importantly to myself that I, was Still Standing.

Jewellery for me represents great similarities of my journey. The precious stones that start are found in a dirty hard place that looks like there is no hope but goes through a process behind the scenes that we are oblivious to. That process results in this amazing shiny piece that am certain will ultimately represent my declaration of confidence badge. What better place to journey with but Jewel of Africa were I had previously acquired subtle everyday pieces in my past life.

I head off to their main location situated in an unassuming building that was once the headquarters of a communications service provider. The previous location situated on the ground floor of Intercontinental Hotel had moved to a larger facility that doesn’t scream of the decadence I seek. However, Jewel of Africa’s brilliant reputation definitely precedes this building and it is that knowledge that provides the impetus to proceed with my search.

I am met by a beautiful, confident floating Rashmi Sharma, who immediately makes you feel like a long-lost sister. She knows my story, thus making it easier to explain my desire for that declaration of confidence piece that will scream, ‘she’s back.’ Ms. Sharma takes her time to explain the history of the gem stones mined in Zambia. Their location per province as well as what determines the colour of the stones. She further takes me on a tour of how each department works from ‘dirt to shine’ and one cannot miss her contagious enthusiasm that she exudes from the love of her work. I am carried away by this wealth of information which unhinges my initial desire to purchase a Garnet piece as it was my birth stone. The flow of the size and spaces of workshops to show room amazes me as well as the stories of some of the employees in particular, the background of the female refugee Ms. Sharma has just shared with me.

Finally, we settle into her office (which makes me feel special) and she lays out boxes and boxes of all this sparkly stones that am unfamiliar with. It turns out, red garnet can be orange garnet or this rich mixture of in-between garnet that I had no idea about. Wow.

“Rashmi, I need something amazing”.

“Tell me a little about what you’re thinking about”.

“I don’t know. Please design something that will say am Still Standing”.

She continues to school me in the alternative semi- precious stones we could choose from, including Zambia’s world-famous Emeralds, when in walks one of her production team with a piece that needs Ms Sharma’s attention on one thing or another. And there it was. My declaration of confidence. I knew that was the piece when my heart started racing and I clutched my heart and gasped. Instantly, I recognised that I was in the presence of something  sublime.

“Rashmi!” is all I could whisper, as it had taken my breath away.

She quickly explains that she is going on a tour and it was one of the pieces she was taking with her for various displays. She continues her side conversation with the gentleman as she places it back and forth from her chest to her neck.

“What do you think? Should it be a brooch or a necklace?” she asks me intently.

“It should be mine”, is all that I manage.

She quickly explains that it is part of her Peacock design collection. Of course, it is and how appropriate that it should be named as such.

"That’s the piece Rashmi. That’s my Mojo".

She seems as happy and excited as I am and we quickly move from the Garnets to this Tanzanite and Diamond piece whose bling and shine and the elegance of the design simply took my breath away.

She shows me the earrings that complete the set and as she sets them against my ear lobe, I express concern that they are not my ‘regular’ dangly style earrings that am normally comfortable with, as these are set in a beautiful row of diamonds and tanzanite along the length of ones ear lobe.

“ You came to Jewel of Africa for a statement piece Mwangala. Come out of your comfort zone. Let me help you pick your statement piece.”

The piece is beyond the budget I subconsciously walked in with, but am quick to remind myself, that just this once there is no price I can put on where I have come from and where I want to go.

I had  brought in one of my earlier purchases that I loved but had lost one of the pair. Ms Sharma does not hesitate to find a similar stone and without my realisation, she instantly sends it off to production. All while I am sitting in her office surrounded by a lesson on Gemstone mining in Zambia. I had no idea Zambia had this many variety of semi-precious stones and Jewel of Africa, with a beaming Ms. Sharma, is happy to enlighten me.

Jewel of Africa does not sell stones set in moulds. They sell dreams, they provide breathless moments. They can cause heart palpitations at the mention of some of the prices but also provide the everyday piece that I can wear in my kitchen at a very affordable price. It is here, as I make my umpteenth cup of tea that I begin to second guess my purchase as the now familiar doubt creeps in. Then comes the ping of a WhatsApp notification and its Ms. Sharma. There it is, a photo of the statement piece with a single line.

“This is yours. We just finished setting the last stone to turn it into your necklace.”

The fact that I immediately let out another gasp at a mere photo of the piece told me that, that right there, was my mojo.

Jewel of Africa is a family-owned business and it was perhaps the reason Ms Sharma greeted me downstairs like a long sister, and how her father was so concerned about the physical discomfort I was in and perhaps why Raj, her brother, came downstairs to ensure I had the necessary aid to navigate the stairs. They all made me wonderfully comfortable. It is why it has always been my go to choice of jewellery makers. It doesn’t matter that I walked in wanting to spend $5, Rashmi behaved as if my $5 was $50,000.

Jewel of Africa has given me my mojo back to declare to the world that indeed, I am Still Standing and I will wear my badge of confidence from their Peacock collection when I make my next cup of tea in my kitchen. That piece was not so much for the world, that piece of jewellery was my declaration of confidence.

Cover photo credit: William Mwale