So, she had tried a different approach. "Do you mind if I ask what the occasion is?" Patricia had asked, hoping to find a reason to steer Diana toward less expensive options. Diana had been genuinely puzzled by the question.
In all her years of buying and selling jewelry, she had never been asked to justify why she wanted to look at something. "Does it matter?" she had asked. Reluctantly, Patricia had unlocked the Aurora display case, but she had hovered over it protectively, like she was guarding the crown jewels from a potential thief. She had moved slowly, clearly hoping that Diana would get bored and walk away.
But Diana hadn't walked away. Instead, she had leaned in to examine the pieces with the practiced eye of someone who had been in the jewelry business for over two decades. She had pointed to the centerpiece necklace and said, "The cut on this diamond is exceptional. Colombian origin."
Patricia had been completely caught off guard. How had this woman known about diamond origins just by looking? Customers didn't usually have that kind of knowledge. "How did you... I mean, yes," Patricia had stammered.
Diana had continued her examination, and what she had said next should have made Patricia realize she was dealing with someone who knew more about jewelry than most people in the business. "The clarity is flawless, but I noticed the setting could be improved. The prongs are slightly uneven."
Now, Patricia had been getting defensive. No one had criticized the craftsmanship in her store, especially not some random customer who had driven up in a Honda Civic. "Our pieces are crafted by master jewelers," she had said stiffly. Diana, still trying to be diplomatic, had replied.
"I'm sure they are. I'm just very particular about quality." That's when everything had changed. The front door had chimed, and in had walked Mr. and Mrs.
Blackstone, a wealthy white couple in their 60s who were regular customers. Patricia's entire demeanor had transformed instantly. Her face had lit up with genuine excitement, and she had practically bounced on her toes as she greeted them. "Excuse me," Patricia had said to Diana without even looking at her.
"I need to help these important customers." Patricia had rushed over to the Blackstones with the kind of enthusiasm she should have shown every customer. "Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone, how wonderful to see you. What brings you in today? Are you looking for something special for your anniversary?"
Diana had been left standing alone next to the open display case, completely ignored. She had been able to hear every word of Patricia's conversation with the Blackstones, and what she had heard had made her stomach turn. "Sorry for the delay," Patricia had said to the Blackstones, glancing back at Diana. "We get all kinds wandering in here."
Diana had stood there trying to process what she had just heard. In 23 years of building her business, she had experienced discrimination before, but never in her own store. Never from someone she was paying to represent her company's values.
Ashley Chen, the young art student who worked as a sales associate, had noticed what was happening. She had been able to see Diana standing alone, clearly being ignored, and it had bothered her. Ashley had been raised to treat people with respect, regardless of what they looked like or where they came from. Ashley had approached Diana with a genuine smile.
"Ma'am, can I help you with anything?" But before Diana had been able to answer, Patricia had shot Ashley a sharp look from across the store. "Ashley, please organize the back inventory," Patricia had called out, her voice carrying just enough authority to make it clear this hadn't been a request.
Diana had seen the whole exchange and had felt bad for putting Ashley in an awkward position. "It's fine, dear. I'll wait," she had told Ashley softly.
And wait, she had for 15 long minutes, Diana had stood in that store, watching Patricia fawn over the Blackstones while completely ignoring her. Diana had watched Patricia show the Blackstones piece after piece, explaining the history and craftsmanship of each one. She had watched Patricia offer them champagne in comfortable chairs. She had watched Patricia treat them exactly the way every customer should have been treated in a Luminous Designs store.
Meanwhile, Diana had stood next to the still open Aurora display case, invisible.
After 15 minutes of being ignored, Diana had decided she had given Patricia enough chances to do the right thing. She had walked back over to where Patricia was still chatting with the Blackstones and politely interrupted. "Excuse me," Diana had said, her voice still calm and professional. "I'm still interested in the Aurora piece."
Patricia had turned to look at Diana with barely concealed annoyance. She had been clearly irritated that Diana hadn't taken the hint and left. "Look," Patricia had said, not even trying to hide her frustration anymore. "Those pieces require serious financial commitment. Maybe you'd be more comfortable in our cheaper fashion jewelry section."
The fashion jewelry section. Patricia had been literally trying to redirect Diana to the cheapest items in the store, pieces that cost under $500 because she had decided that Diana couldn't afford anything expensive. Diana had felt her jaw tighten, but she had kept her voice steady. "I'd like to purchase the Aurora necklace. The $350,000 piece."
Patricia laughed. Not a polite chuckle, but a genuine laugh as if Diana had just told her the funniest joke she had ever heard. "I'm going to need to see proof of funds first," Patricia had said, still smiling like she had caught Diana in some kind of game.
"Proof of funds?" Diana had asked, genuinely confused. "Credit cards, bank statements, something that shows you can actually afford this," Patricia had explained as if she were talking to a child who didn't understand how money worked. Diana had looked around the store, her mind racing.
"Is this standard policy for all customers?" Patricia had glanced over at the Blackstones, who had still been browsing comfortably without anyone asking them for financial verification. "For purchases of this magnitude, yes," Patricia had lied smoothly. But Diana had been watching the Blackstones for the past 15 minutes.
She had seen them handle pieces worth just as much as the Aurora necklace. She had seen Patricia offer them champagne and treat them like royalty. And she had noticed that not once had Patricia asked them for proof of funds, credit checks, or any kind of financial verification.