Straightening the tortoise shell-rimmed glasses over the bridge of her nose, she eases herself onto the seat in front of her work table and picks up the scalpel with her fair, wrinkled hands to cut the sheet of wax.
She adjusts the red rusting lamp that hovers over the desk, which is cluttered with hand-worn jewelry crafting tools, an antique oil lamp Bunsen burner and travel souvenirs. Her granddaughters smile up at her from the framed photos that are neatly arranged on the corner of her desk.
Muriel Chastanet Fine Jewelry is a family business.
Story by: Hee Jae Choi
