Monday, September 17, 2012

Diamonds Are Forever...


At what point is an item no longer worth buying even at thrift store prices? When is so beat up and tattered you're better off leaving it on the rack? Yes, believe it or not I have limits like that and I'd almost reached mine when I spotted this sweater. Sure, it looks great now, but when I bought it, it had 50 million little moth eaten holes in it. Well, maybe not 50 million, but at least 20. I lovingly mended each and every one. This also included the extra effort of changing the thread color four times. Now, even I can't tell where the holes were. It was a diamond in the rough. And all diamonds are graded by the four C's.

Clarity: Meaning how many flaws or inclusions does it have. A diamond is a natural thing and inclusions are also natural and not always necessarily a deal breaker. In the case of this sweater it's an I-3, very heavily included.

Cut: The cut ensures the diamond shows of maximum brilliance. I'm going to rate this as a 3 which is "good". It's slightly slouchy, just the way I like my sweaters to be.

Color: Graded from no color at all "D", which is most desired, to "Z". Anything beyond a Z, and it's a  colored diamond. I guess mine is a ZZZZ.

Carat: There are 5 carats in a gram. The word carat is derived from the seed of the carob tree pod. This sweater has got to be at least 10 carats. It's pure Merino wool. I'm rich!

Sometimes the stars align and the 4 C's are all high scale. Sometimes people are willing to sacrifice one thing for another, such as a little
sub par cut for more carats. Decisions, decisions...
I'm happy with my diamond sweater even though it's not flawless and I'm walking over to Patti's Visible Monday  and Monday Mingle to show it off.

Please note: judging by the 4 C's (color, weight, brilliance, lack of flaws) only apply to diamonds and sweaters - not people.


Remember the Swap party is coming up this week. I'll open the link this Thursday, September 20th - Saturday September 22nd.  See you there!

14 comments:

  1. Gorgeous sweater, and I love your dedication to restoring it. I'm not even sure I'd know how to mend holes in sweaters!

    Working on your swap party post. It keeps growing and may end up being a permanent page on my blog, as I have very few locals to swap with in real time. I love the idea of exchanging clothes and accessories for the cost of postage :)

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  2. Oooh, that sweater was loved by you right into fabulousness, Sheila! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous look with Visible Monday.

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  3. Sometimes one person's castoff, with a little love and care, can become another person's thing of beauty.

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  4. Wow, I can't believe you mended all the moth holes! I'm far too lazy to do that...

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  5. You seriously have some dedication! I am way too lazy to even sew a button. You did make the sweater look brand new though :)

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  6. Good for you Shelia, a labor of love. Is that tassel thingy part of the sweater or a scarf you've added? Whatever it is, it looks cool.

    I've been totally thinking about the swap and what to choose for it that someone might want/like. I still want to check in with you about it...

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  7. That is a great look, worth the effort you put into it. Alas, I am like Sheila. I think I will fix something up but usually don't. Maybe next week I will post one that I actually did fix.

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  8. well done sheila! your outfit with the grey pants and that colorful sweater is marvellous, you look great in it! sometimes i'm able to find in a thrift or carity store unexpectedly in a piece of beauty, then i'm a lucky girl.

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  9. Gorgeous sweater! I've brought home a few rough around the edges pieces from the thrift shop. I recently rescued an gorgeous linen 80s dress. A quick swap of buttons, shoulder pad removal, and taking in the sleeves a bit completely transformed it. Took me minimal time, and won me a gorgeous dress.

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  10. I can see why you love that unique sweater so much. It's a great twist on a classic, just like you! Twisted in a good way of course. tee hee

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  11. that is one gorgeous sweater!! I would've pounced on it and fixed it if I saw it in the thrift! It looks vintage!! love the colors and how you styled it!

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  12. I love your diamond analogy as applied to your sweater.

    It's a cool sweater and I'm glad it found a loving home where it would be painstakingly repaired. How I wish I could do that.

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  13. Brilliant. This is a sweater any woman would be so lucky to own, either as a gift from a swell guy or bought for herself. Good job on the repairs! And I love that belt thing. You look fantastic!

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  14. I wish I had your skills to mend moth holes and make the piece look perfect! Love your rating system and the gorgeous scarf as an addition to your ensemble.

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