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Can 13 Women Share A Diamond Necklace?

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By K. SUE COLLINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2008

"The Necklace," by Cheryl Jarvis (Ballantine Books, $24)

The diamond necklace in the window spoke to Jonell McLain. She knew she had to have it, but the $37,000 price tag was out of her budget. Then she realized: if she desired this necklace, how many more women felt the same?

This leads to the experiment Cheryl Jarvis describes in this book, with 13 women sharing ownership of a 15.24-carat diamond necklace.

In 2004, some of the women knew one another; others were complete strangers. But all were brought together by a sort of "time share" necklace.

The women dubbed their purchase "Jewelia" after the then recent demise of Julia Child. Each woman possessed Jewelia on her birthday.

Monthly meetings recounted Jewelia's activities and served as the ceremonial passing to the next owner. At the beginning, there were no rules as to how they enjoyed the necklace. Soon squabbles ignited, and it became clear that order was needed.

Some outsiders criticized the commercialism of the endeavor. What remained clear was this eclectic group of women learned more about themselves than they ever thought possible. Jewelia experienced more adventures than all of the women put together as she skydived, visited the gun range and raised money for charity.

Jarvis narrates each owner's time through the woman's perspective and unexpected experiences with the jewelry. The center of "The Necklace" remains the personification of the 118-diamond Jewelia, who inspires her owners to exit their comfort zones and renew their youth.

K. Sue Collins of Tampa is a crime novelist.

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