A Diamond in the Rough

by Marilyn Land

  They left as quickly as they had come. “See you at home.”

  Mandy’s husband John was the eldest of eight children. He suffered a fatal heart attack a few years after they opened the restaurant; and having nowhere else to go, she decided to stay on. She managed to keep the place profitable during the War by availing herself of locally grown produce and reinventing her favorite recipes.

  Wendy married John’s youngest brother, and very soon after, Jason was born. When Britain declared War on Germany, he enlisted in the Royal Navy serving in the Pacific; he was killed when a Japanese torpedo sunk his ship.

  Wendy had no family she could count on for help, finding herself alone with a six-year old son to provide for she could think of no one else to turn to except Mandy. Without warning, she had shown up on her doorstep a week earlier.

  “I don’t know what to do with them. Of course, I want to help them, but the restaurant is not doing well enough to support two more people. She knows nothing about food or cooking and working here is out of the question. And I have to admit, I like my alone time and personal space. John and I didn’t have any kids, and Jason is a good boy, but at my age, I’m just not up to it.

  “I was kind of looking forward to business picking up with the War being over and people coming back to their cottages, including bringing new people to the area like you.”

  Jake asked for another cup of coffee. She brought the pot, and poured them each a cup. “Mandy, when I came into the restaurant looking for your help, I told you then, and I feel even stronger now that what I found above and beyond your help was a friend. Friends help each other. Now it’s my turn to help you.

  “I’m looking for a housekeeper. There’s not a whole lot to do, just general housework, laundry, changing linens, and the like. I may be travelling in the future, and she can keep an eye on the place for me when I’m out of town.

  “Do you think that’s something she might be interested in? Do you think she could handle the job? I’m the only person living there so her tasks will be minimal and not at all time consuming.”

  “Why Jake, I had no idea you would be the person to rescue me from my dilemma. I’ll ask her when I get home, and if she agrees, I’ll bring her around in the morning.”

  “I’ve had another thought. She and Jason can live in the carriage house on the far side of my property. That way, they won’t be infringing on your space; Jason can go to school in the Village; and if Wendy can take care of the cottage with time to spare, she will be free to work for one of the local shops for extra income.

  “I intend to pay her for my housekeeping, but I see no need for her to pay rent on the small house as it isn’t being used.”

  This time, Mandy hugged Jake, and she wasn’t the least bit embarrassed.

  They all pitched in, and by Christmas, Wendy and Jason were living in the carriage house. Mandy provided them with a small tree and all the trimmings. Christmas Day, Jake brought presents for everyone; Mandy brought dinner; Wendy and Jason had the best holiday in a long time.

  Marcus and Elena were spending the holidays with their daughter and her family and were not due to return until after the first of the year. They invited Jake to join them; he declined.

  Jake opted to spend New Year’s Eve 1945 alone. He knew how fortunate he was, and he felt truly blessed. Compared to others returning from the War, it appeared he had everything. But how could it be said that one had everything when one did not have the one thing one wanted most?

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  By the end of the War the economy of the United Kingdom was exhausted. More than a quarter of its national wealth had been spent, and its war debt was described, by some in the American administration, as a millstone round the neck of the British economy.

  London was in desperate need of rebuilding on a large scale. All across the City, years of Luftwaffe air raids had left an endless trail of destruction. Architects and planners were quick to see and seize the opportunity for not only rebuilding, but for remodeling. Meanwhile, the population reorganized and rejuvenated itself.

  Parks, farmland, and recreation grounds subject to outdated and strict building and development regulations had to be dealt with in order to move forward. High-rise housing and the construction of eight satellite towns were touted as the solution to London’s growing population, replacing housing lost during the War and London’s slums.

  In addition, hundreds of airfields were built across Britain before and after the outbreak of war to accommodate the last generation of heavy bombers. These bases were hurriedly constructed amid the quiet British Countryside, as the new aircraft required extensive runways, hangars, and support buildings. For the vast majority, 1945 saw wartime airfields returned to the farmers and landowners they were purchased from. Others that did not remain in operation were abandoned.

  Those with foresight saw General Aviation as the future. A majority of RAF pilots went from high school to flying, and had never considered a career to return to. Some chose to remain in service as flight instructors, while others opted to become a part of the public’s growing interest in flying.

  In April, Jake learned of the opening of Eagle Aerodrome on the former site of RAF Northleach near the Cotswold town of the same name in Gloucestershire. It was one of the first private airfields to open after the War. The abandoned airfield purchased by two recently discharged RAF pilots began with two reconditioned planes—a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing and a Piper J-3 Cub—both built during the War. The new aerodrome offered flying lessons, and the planes were available to rent by licensed pilots at an hourly rate.

  Determined to get a private flying license, Jake set out for the airfield to see what he could learn. He yearned to fly again, and if he could rent a plane from time to time and take off into the wind blue yonder, what could be better than that? The airfield’s proximity to the cottage was simply another plus.

  The aerodrome was owned by cousins Tim and Joe Hanks, both RAF ace pilots, and employed two mechanics and an additional flight instructor. Since the base had recently closed, it was in pretty good shape and did not require any major renovations. A fresh coat of paint on the hangars and buildings topped off with the large brightly painted Eagle Aerodrome sign was an impressive sight to see as one approached the airfield.

  Jake found a home. He signed up for lessons to get acquainted with flying the two planes and applied for his private license.

  De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. took control of the world diamond trade by closing the mines, stockpiling diamonds, and selling them strategically in order to control both distribution and price.

  A worldwide decline of diamond prices in the 1930’s led the Oppenheimer family to figure out a way to not only control both supply and demand but to stabilize the market. They determined In order to accomplish this feat, they would need the help of an ad agency.

  As early as 1938 when they began their search for an ad agency, the global economy was suffering and Europe was under the threat of war. Their challenge was to figure out which country had the most potential to support a growing diamond market, and then hire an ad agency to implement a marketing campaign in that country.

  Because of Europe’s preoccupation with the oncoming war, the United States was chosen—even though the total number of diamonds sold in the States had declined by 50% since the end of World War I.

  Sir Oppenheimer’s son Henry travelled to New York to meet with advertising ad agency N.W. Ayer based on their idea to conduct extensive research on social attitudes about diamonds, and then strategically change those attitudes to appeal to a wider audience.

  The game plan was to create a situation where almost every person pledging marriage felt compelled to acquire a diamond engagement ring! Although the concept of an engagement ring had existed since medieval times, it had never been widely adopted. In addition, before World War II, only 10% of engagement rings contained di
amonds.

  Ayer used traditional marketing tools such as newspapers, magazines, and radio; they created entertaining and educational content supporting their product but not explicitly about it. There was no direct sale to be made; there was no brand name to be impressed on the public’s mind; there was simply an idea—the eternal emotional value surrounding the diamond. They sold their story about people who gave diamonds or were given diamonds, and how happy and loved diamonds made them feel.

  Between 1938 and 1941, a 55% increase in America’s diamond sales was reported; the increase was attributed solely to De Beers’ ad campaign.

  Now that the War was over, De Beers was stepping up their campaign; they had a large new market—returning soldiers, sailors, and marines eager to become engaged and marry the girls who had faithfully awaited their return.

  Marcus rang up Jake and asked if he could come to London for a meeting.

  The De Beers ad campaign was about to make history, and Marcus wanted Jake to be a part of it.

  By the spring of 1946, the RMS Queen Elizabeth, having fulfilled her wartime role, was refitted and furnished as an ocean liner and entered Cunard White Star’s two-ship weekly crossings to New York.

  In June, Marcus, Elena, and Jake set sail aboard the Queen Elizabeth departing Southampton for New York. They would be gone approximately six weeks including crossing time. Marcus took the opportunity to combine business with pleasure by including Elena so they could celebrate their 40th Anniversary in the States the end of June. They had never been to America.

  Jake had spent an entire year in the States learning to fly. He had never been to New York, although he had been on a train that passed through New York, on its way south; his time was spent in Georgia and Alabama. He too was about to celebrate an anniversary—one year since his return to England from Guernsey Island.

  The crossing was exciting. People were once again beginning to venture beyond home shores and America was the #1 destination for most. Marcus and Elena had not left England since before the War, and this trip brought back fond memories of their trips to Paris, Florence, and Milan; it had been too long. Marcus looked forward to taking care of business for De Beers, but while at sea, he was determined to relax and enjoy being on holiday.

  One morning following breakfast, Elena excused herself. “You are on your own for the remainder of the morning. I’m off for a bit of personal pampering at the Beauty Salon.”

  Marcus decided to take the opportunity to fill Jake in on what to expect at their meetings in New York. After a brisk walk around the deck, they found two empty deck chairs set apart from the long row offering privacy.

  “When we met in my office to discuss this trip, I placed my emphasis solely on the ad campaign and the Company’s plans to upgrade and extend it. There are, however, other sides to the story, a personal side and a side that includes you.

  “I will begin by explaining my thoughts that include you. As an employee of De Beers, my position is that of consultant and advisor on behalf of the Company but in no way do I have the final say. I see my position as another view for the future of De Beers and diamonds; a view that is all about the next generation and the next and the next. Our young men and women are our future—you are our future.

  “I realize that your experience in the world of diamonds is limited, however, the many times I have watched you exhibit integrity, resilience, ingenuity, loyalty, and just plain common sense in dire situations puts you in a class of your own. All of these attributes are quite valuable in the business world. I might add, when De Beers hired me, I had not been tested by any of these attributes.

  “You will learn when we get to New York that there are many opportunities available to learn anything and everything you ever wanted to know about diamonds that goes far beyond the talent that you possess to cut and polish a rough stone into a magnificent thing of beauty. Your father often told me that he learned so much from De Beers, and it was true; but we learned a good deal from him.

  “Cutting and polishing will ultimately evolve into a quicker process, a more precise process as new innovative ideas are introduced. That is inevitable. I see your inherent ability and talent going far beyond sitting at a bench transforming rough stones.

  “The position I am offering you is actually mine. Now we come to the personal side of the story. Elena and I have been talking about my retiring, not immediately but definitely in the near future. This position will require a good deal of travelling to and from the States, and other countries, as they get onboard.

  “At this point in my life, I’m looking forward to a quieter and slower pace, not the exciting and hectic one that the Company is aiming for, and I have no doubt will accomplish.

  “I think you know me well enough to know my offer is not without merit. Your qualifications especially for someone so young are impressive, and as I’ve told you there are many opportunities available to expand and learn.

  “After we return from New York, we can discuss your feelings and if you wish to proceed. I expect nothing less than your own truthful decision; a decision based on your desires and needs, not mine.”

  Jake sat quietly and gathered his thoughts. “Marcus, I don’t think I ever told you, but one of the reasons my father accepted the position you offered him was his gut feeling that you were a good and honorable man, and he trusted you.

  “As I have repeatedly told you, you are my Guardian Angel, and I am deeply honored by and grateful for your offer. It not only sounds exciting, but working with you would be a dream come true. My gut is telling me that this trip could be just the beginning of a whole new life for me. On that basis, you have my word that before making my decision, I will take everything into consideration.

  “I never gave thought to getting a university degree; growing up, it was never discussed. From the time I was a young boy, I only wished to emulate my Papa, my Hero. Just after my sisters were born, Rabbi Levin met with my father to tell him that I had been skipping too many Hebrew classes, and that although years away, my becoming a Bar Mitzvah was in jeopardy.

  “After dinner that night, my father asked me to join him for a walk. When we stopped walking, he waving his hand around and said, Jacob, this is Hatton Garden, better known as London’s Jewelry Quarter and the center of England’s diamond trade. He went on to tell me that was where he aspired to open a Jewelry Emporium of his own.

  “By the time we returned home, we had reached a deal. School would be out in a week. I gave up going to camp for the summer in exchange for my Papa’s teaching me to cut and polish rough stones. Before that time, I had only observed my father at work. In the fall, I would resume my Hebrew lessons and make him and Mama proud.

  “I will never forget that very first day. With the lunch my mother prepared for us in hand, we set off for Max Lerner’s shop. In the back of the store at the workbench were my very own tools that he bought for me—a Scaif, measuring devices, and rough diamonds ready for cutting.

  “I learned that the actual process of how diamonds are cut and polished consists of five steps—planning, cleaving, bruting, polishing, and inspecting. He instilled in me that planning although time consuming is the most important step as it determines the final value of the finished product.

  “I was equally as enthusiastic as I learned each new step, but the Scaif fascinated me to no end. He showed me how to infuse the polishing wheel with a mixture of olive oil and diamond dust making it possible to polish all the facets of the diamond symmetrically at angles that reflected the light best. When he deemed the very first diamond I cut on my own excellent, I was hooked.

  “My Papa did indeed end up in Hatton Garden not exactly as he had envisioned, but his dream did come true, and he owed it all to you. The War changed everything for me, but it also changed the world. We spoke of a return to normal, but what was normal before the War is no longer so today.

  “I left school two months befo
re graduating to join the RAF. Scholastically I was an A student, but I never gave thought to extending my education. I only saw the world of diamonds in my future. I was asked to stay on as a flight instructor in the RAF, but declined; that never interested me even though I love flying, and I strongly believe that general aviation will play a big part in the future of the world.

  “So Marcus, this was a good talk. It’s probably the first real heart-to-heart talk we’ve had, and the most important for me. New York here we come. Do you think they’re ready for us?”

  Marcus couldn’t help thinking to himself New York has no idea who’s about to come to town. “Well if they’re not, they only have two days left to get ready.”

  The Queen Elizabeth arrived in New York on Tuesday, 11 June 1946. She docked on the north side of Cunard’s Pier 90 in the North River, Manhattan. A car had been sent to pick them up and take them to the Waldorf Astoria the stately hotel on Park Avenue.

  The New York City that emerged from WWII was a dramatically different place than the one that had entered it four years earlier. The change was in large part due to the War itself, which had finally lifted the City out of the Depression and ushered in an era of unparalleled prosperity.

  The explosion in commercial activity brought on by the War reignited the City’s economic engine propelling it to a level of economic power and dominance like nothing before or since.

  By the late 1940s, New York City became the world’s largest manufacturing center, the Nation’s largest wholesaling center, the world’s biggest port, and the world’s financial capital. Above all, it was home to the immense corporations that now dominated life in the United States, and increasingly, around the world. One hundred thirty-five of the Nation’s 500 largest industrial companies called it their Headquarters City.

  Along with the economic boom came exciting cultural growth, and after four years of darkness, Broadway’s dazzling lights shone brightly once more.