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I’d bet that even before you laid eyes on this sentence a slew of expensive materials already crossed your mind. Right? I’m not talking about unique and exuberant oddities such as jewel-encrusted bikinis, or private jets, but commonly known items that one may find in the home of any distinguished well-to-do person.

Here’s a list of expensive items I conjured up.

(Your list may be different or even better.)

Gold

Diamonds

Pearls

Perfume

Wines

Paintings (by the way, do you know the difference between a Manet and a Monet?)

Caviar

Porcelain

Persian Carpets

Silk

If we rate them the Digg way each will most likely get a ‘thumb up’ for significance, value, and popularity. You’re probably thinking “This is so blase- common knowledge.” True. But I’d like to present some new and interesting facts and attributes, some of which we may not know about.

Gold. According to the American Museum of Natural History, ancient peoples revered it by accolading phrases. The Aztecs called it teocuitlatl, meaning “excrement of the gods”. The Incas and the Andes called it “sweat of the sun”. It’s worth its weight.

Diamonds. Neatorama tells us that in 2004 an astronomer named Travis Metcalfe discovered a chunk of diamond as big as the moon, and it weighs 10 billion, trillion, trillion carats. For some, it is a most prized adornment because of its hardness and brilliance. They serve us in a myriad of applications one of which is electronic, for its value as a semi-conductor and insulator. For today’s technology, they’re really worth it.

Pearls. We all know they’re made by oysters. Natural pearls command a hefty price because they are rare. There is no other use for pearls that I’m aware of other than adornment. We’re bedazzled by their beauty, so they are certainly worth capturing.

Perfume. We all know it’s expensive because it takes hundreds of flowers to make an ounce of it. We like it because it makes us smell good, and a little dab of it lets out a lasting aroma that works to our advantage, like pheromones. Definitely worth it.

Wines. Wines are expensive because the best quality wines must be aged and kept under the right conditions. Gourmands tell us the older it is, the better. People the world over are willing to wait because aging brings out the best in it. And the sharing of wine brings about camaraderie. We like.

Paintings. Art collectors and aficionados value works of art with tender loving care. Various works of art express profound meaning by the artist. And, according to Carl Jung, centuries old paintings mystically express the collective consciousness of today. But (and don’t beat me up) instead of keeping and adoring paintings by Van Gogh or da Vinci, extremely gifted artists, I’d sell it for cash. So they’re worth it in more ways than one.

Porcelain: Wikepedia tells us that porcelain comes from the Italian word “porcella”, a word for the shell of a mollusk, because the surface of porcelain has that same translucency as the shell. Sometimes we call it China because that’s where porcelain making began. A stunning testament to the quality of porcelain can be seen in the Dakin Building in Berkeley, California, built 2004. Its exterior panels were constructed with porcelain. My guesstimate is that the architect designed it with porcelain for its thermostatic effect. It is a semi-conductor, so it can transfer heat away from the building and also insulate warmth into the building. Super savings in energy!

Caviar: An excerpt from a scene in an old movie between two socialites goes something like this: Man:…’after we fish, we take our catch home, scoop out the innards and throw away the eggs, and then put it on the grill’. Woman: (Laughter) ‘That’s funny. In Russia we take out the eggs, and throw out the fish’. We import a lot of our caviar from Russia. One time my curiosity got the best of me, so I went to the local delicatessen and bought some caviar. I tried it. Then I wondered “What’s the big deal? Maybe one just has to acquire a taste for it”. Then one day a client gave me a large can of Beluga caviar. It was divine! But was it worth the price? I’ll put it this way: if I had a lot of money I’d stock up on Beluga caviar.

Persian Carpets: Some time ago we (I and fellow club members) invited a Middle-Eastern gentleman to guest speak at one of our meetings. We get our guest, and he gets to promote his product. As he spoke I can tell by the look on his face that his talk fell on deaf ears. Not mine. The making of Persian carpets was fascinating. They’re expensive not only because they’re hand-woven. Each one has a different design; no two are alike. Moreover, woven into the carpet is a story, a different saga in each one. But get ready for this: Persian carpets appreciate in value. (That got their attention.) The more they’re used, the more valuable they are. He said that an older, well-trodden carpet would be much more expensive than a brand new one in its box at the warehouse. (Eyes widened.) There are other kinds of investments besides all their jewellery. That last sentence was an exaggeration.

Silk: Once again, a lowly creature endows us with something spectacular. Silk is soft, smooth, and shiny without being slippery. And it’s amazingly tough. Unlike synthetics, it doesn’t melt under a hot iron. Ironing then becomes a pleasurable activity when it’s done with silk. But here are some facts about silk that are almost as exciting as fractals: the silk worm lets out only one continuous thread that reaches up to a mile! (I pictured the silk cocoon as that of a long playing record with one groove.) Also, a cross-section of the silk thread is three-sided, and like a prism light through it radiates color in an extraordinary way. (Isn’t it just like the holographic effect?) Nature knows nothing inconceivable! Oh, yes- and silk feels good to us because its molecular structure is close to that of our skin.

All in all, after having taken a more in-depth look at their characteristics, we see that their prices are justified by their value. We even see that the value of some items far outweigh the cost. Come to think of it, if any or all were to be in MY possession, I wouldn’t shed a tear.

About the Author

One might call Ms. de los Santos a ‘Jill of All Trades’, whose passions run amuck. To highlight just a few, she has an AA in Electronics Technology.

Upon being certified by the American Council on Exercise, she served as an Aerobics instructor at Brisbane, California and abroad as a Fitness Coordinator for the Armed Forces, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine National Police.

She’s an ATM-S (Advanced Toastmaster-Silver), and for a time was a member of the Rotary Club, underscoring: “by invitation, not by wealth”.

Her fondest recollection are the talented and precocious children she taught in Speech and Personality Development, while at the meantime assisting an American doctor prepare unique, purely herbal protocols for common ailments, with marked success in the treatment of Diabetes and Arthritis.

Ahmad 500g Loose Ceylon Tea, 1.23-Ounce Packet (Pack of 4)
HEDLEY’S-EARL GREY TEA, 40ct
Twinings French Vanilla Black Chai Tea, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker, Black and Brushed Metal
China Keemun OP Black Tea – 250 Grams
Starbucks Africa Kitamu Coffee, Ground, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 3)
UltraShip 55 lb. Digital Postal Shipping & Kitchen Scale
Food Gifts for All Seasons
Roland Keemun Black Tea/Canister, 2.5000-Ounce (Pack of
Stash Premium Decaf Vanilla Chai Black Tea, Tea Bags, 100-Count Box
Tetley Loose Leaf Tea, 31.75-Ounce Box
Ted Baker Men’s TE1054 Time Flies Contemporary Square Digital Case Watch
Authentic Maid Waitress Uniform White HeadPiece Cap Hat w/ Headband
Keemun Hoa Ya A Tea 4 oz tin of loose tea
Meat & Seafood Guide
Blancho Bedding – [Black Tea Story] 100% Cotton 4PC Duvet Cover Set (King Size)(Comforter not included)
Primula PTA-4009 Flowering Tea Set with 40-Ounce Pot, 6 Flowering Teas, and Loose-Tea Variety Pack
China Mist Prickly Pear Iced Black Tea
Sweet Leaf Tea, Half & Half Lemonade Tea, 20-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12)
Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai with Blueberry 2 Pounds Resealable Bag [Misc.]
Cordoba 45MR Classical Guitar, SP
Manuel Rodriguez C1 Cedar Top Classical Guitar (Standard)
GSI Super Quality Stylish Musical Wood 39
Kalos by Cecilio EGP-BK 39
Cordoba Solista CE Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar,SP/MP
Left Handed Beginner Electric Guitar Package with Amp Case Picks Strap Starter Value Pack in Vintage Sunburst
Outlaw 39
Beginners 38 Inch Classical Guitar with Nylon Strings – Sunburst
Westwood WWCG32 1/2-size Classical Guitar with Bag and Strap
Valencia VG-190CE Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar, High Gloss Amber Finish
Beginner’s 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar Package
Cordoba C7 Nylon String Acoustic Classical Guitar
Daisy Rock Debutante Heartbreaker Short Scale Electric Guitar Starter Pack, Red Hot Red
Stagg C510 1/2 Size Classical Guitar – Natural
Guild® GAD-C1 Acoustic Design Classical Guitar w/Hardshell Case
Music Basics Classical Left Handed Guitar with Free Tuner – 1/4 Size (GC-115-1/4) – Blue
Left Hand – Sunlite GCN-1600G-LH Full Size Classical Acoustic Guitar – Natural w/ Gig Bag
Playmate by Dean Avalanche Electric Guitar Kit (Amp, Gig Bag, White)
Washburn WIN14BPAK New Idol Electric Pack, Black
First Act ME505 Kei Electric Guitar with Humbucker and Amp
EZ – Air Tire Gauge
Gorilla Automotive 21723SD Small Diameter Lock And Lugs (12mm x 1.25
Gorilla 21134HT 12mm X 1.50 24 Lug Nut Set
VIAIR VIAIR-92923 Insulated Terminals
Dual Foot Truck Tire Gauge w/ Release Valve + 2′ Hose
ESCO Manual Bead Breaker, Model# 70160
Slime 70003 Flat Tire Repair System
Milton S976 Tire Gauge
Bell Automotive 22-5-00881-8 Professional Dial with Bleeder Valve Tire Gauge
McGard 84508 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Installation Kit (9/16
Perfect Solutions Talking Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
OTC 1929 2-5/8
McGard 63016 Chrome Extra Long 1.365
ARB INFLATOR WITH PRESSURE GAUGE (ARB605)
Mercedes-Benz chrome lug bolts: 12 x 1.5 (39mm) extended head – set of 20
MBRP 131042 Spare Tire Bracket Kit
Slime 20071 Digital Gague with Hose
Eastwood Vintage BBS Racing Mag Wheel Gold Spray Paint
Professional Products 11101 Street Tire Pressure Gauge
OTC 1933 2-7/8
Stanley 1094 – Garage Door Opener 2 Button Transmitter
Sears Craftsman 139.53973 Remote is Equivalent to the 81LM
IMPERIAL 24784 COIL CHAIN 3/8
Linear DTC – 310MHz Remote 1 Button
Skylink 318TN Keychain Transmitter
Sears Craftsman 139.53603 Remote is Equivalent to the 61LM
Porter-Cable 7812 10-Gallon 1-1/2-Horsepower Tool-Start Wet/Dry Vacuum
Allister X145 Idler Sprocket
Shop-Vac 5867500 6.5-Peak Horsepower QSP Quiet Deluxe Wet/Dry Vacuum, 16-Gallon
2 Pack of Genie Garage Opener Drive Gear – Part # 27096A
Liftmaster 365LM Plug-In Security Plus Radio Receiver Kit 315Mhz
14 Gauge Position # 2 Hinge
Sears Craftsman 139.53964 Remote is Equivalent to the 971LM
Sears Craftsman 139.53601 Remote is Equivalent to the 61LM
National Hardware V7621 Garage Door Right Hand Torsion Cable Drum for Maximum 1/8-Inch Cable, Aluminum
Contractor’s Wet/Dry Vacuums – 10-gal. 6.0hp ss shop vac 1-stage mot
Wap 302000414 Attix 8 AS/E Wet Dry Tank Vac
Shop-Vac 9052600 Small Foam Sleeve
Remanufactured Vector VEC-248 Rechargeable Wet/Dry Canister Vac
955CB equivalent to 635LM Kit
Behringer K3000FX 300-Watt 4-Channel PA System
Hosa PWC178 2 Pin Power Cord
M-Audio Axiom 25 Advanced 25-Key USB MIDI Controller, 2nd Gen
1939 Victor & 1954 Villa Pace Recordings
Jerry Lee Lewis- Killer Piano
Nord Piano 88 Professional Stage Piano
Kurzweil SP2XS 88 Note Digital Stage Piano, Hammer Action Keys, 64 Programs, 64 Voice Polyphony, Includes Two 6 Inch …
Novation ReMOTE 37 SL MIDI Controller LE Green (Standard)
50 greats for the Clavinova (50 grands classiques pour Clavinova; 50 exitos para Clavinova)
Casio AD-5MR Keyboard AC Power Adapter
Akai MPD32 USB/Midi MPC Pad Controller
Roland’s VR-760
The Encyclopedia of Keyboard Color Picture Chords (Music Sales America)
Ladies Gold & Black Music Gift Set: Piano & Notes Scarf, Music Stand Ornament & G Clef Keychain
How to Play Piano: For Piano and Portable Keyboards (with Richard Bradley) Complete Set [VHS]
Nord NL2/Electro 61/Wave Soft Case Gig Bag for the Electro 61 Piano, Wave Synthesizer, and all Lead Synthesizers (AMS…
Macally Bluetooth Keyboard with Viewing Stand (Vertical and Horizontal) for iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G (Black)
Hohner Nova Chromatic Accordion 96 Bass C System, Black
Korg M3 61-Key Music Workstation Keyboard
Mr. Dj KS500 Classic Top Keyboard Stand 2nd Tier Level for Case or 2nd Keyboard