I grew up on the coast of Africa – I was lucky to have spent most of my youth on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. I had long blonde hair and wore soft faded denim shorts and sarongs, well-washed thin t shirts, and bikinis bleached by the salt water and the sun – and loads of silver jewellery. My trademark when I was in my teens and twenties was wearing heavy silver bracelets all the way up my arm, and silver rings on all of my fingers. They were all different – thick, thin, antique, new, plain or with patterns and engraving. All developed a gentle patina with time and use. Almost matte, but glowing as if from within. Those with engraving or patterns and shapes became black in the grooves and shapes which threw the designs into beautiful relief. I still have all of them as they are still very much a part of me. But I don’t wear them anymore.
Because from about the age of 30, I stopped liking silver. I am not sure why. Maybe my skin tone changed as I grew older. Maybe the way I dressed did. Maybe it was because I was no longer very deeply tanned all year round. And I still wear and use only gold if I can help it. All my jewellery is gold, my keyrings and keys are (if possible) gold, the hardware on anything from handbags to shoes to clothing to my wallet and umbrella is gold if I have a choice.
So my Filofaxes with gold rings and detailing are very dear to me.
