On The Fly

In this episode - Introducing The Adventures of Peridot . . . A peculiar collaboration unfolds in the dimly lit chambers of Professor Alister Peridot, that eminent sage whose keen intellect rivals the most illustrious minds of our time, a confluence of wisdom and youthful exuberance. Permit me, dear reader, to illuminate this curious partnership that embarks upon a global pursuit, unraveling the mysteries as elusive and enchanting as the very gemstones they seek to unveil. In the halls of academia, Professor Peridot, a man of revered learning and profound insight, found an unexpected companion in Adamas Bontemps—a name as rare as the jewels they endeavor to fathom. Young Mr. Bontemps, a burgeoning gemologist of fervent curiosity, embarked on a journey into the intricate tapestry of global intrigue and hidden mysteries. With his silvered hair and piercing gaze, Professor Peridot exudes an air of timeless insight: his mind, an intricate maze of deductive prowess, rivals even the great Sh...

"Don't worry, Mom, if it is your time to leave this world and join Dad in heaven, rest assured I love you; we all love you. We will be fine; you've raised your children well. I will miss you deeply." On October 30, 2018, at 2:15 p.m. Mauricette Elaine Ball (Bontemps) left this world, with her family by her side, in the comfort of her carefully crafted home, finally at rest. My mother was born in La Rochelle, France, on February 16, 1934. She grew up in a metropolitan port with a population of about 60,000 in the late 1950s. Her life dramatically changed at 23 when she met a young man, Donald Lee Ball , from Canton, Ill., while working at the lunch counter on the Army Base where he was stationed in Lagord, France. They married and moved to the rural midwestern town of Cuba, Illinois. Together they raised an upstanding family. Well . . .  Mother cherished her family deeply. There were no Dr. Spock books from the 1960s to instruct her on how to raise her c...

“Bontemps, wake up – Adamas, my boy, wake up.” I awoke from deep sleep to a pair of piercing yellowish-green eyes looking directly into mine. Immediately, I realized it was the lean, smiling, congenial face of my colleague Alister Peridot. Groggy from jet lag, it was all coming back to me; it was day two of our trip to India – Yes, of course, . . . the sapphire case. Peridot was standing over me, completely dressed, in his slippers, wearing a necktie and a silk vest. “We have an appointment this morning with the client who engaged us to examine the Ceylon Sapphire he’s interested in purchasing. Kal Purush Kaniyar is a former Bollywood Star who immigrated to America - home visiting his parents. Our hotel room was a suite with two bedrooms and a sitting room in the center. A comfortable room with hardwood floors, a large flat-screen TV, plush chairs, Wi-Fi, and all the business amenities. While I showered and dressed, Peridot calmly walked to the desk, opened his laptop, and began ...

“What about this American, this amateur art collector, a Mr. Leyland I believe, who contacted Monsieur Rossi? Should we not contact him as well?” was my question to Peridot as we left the outdoor cafe headed for our rendezvous.  “My hunch is,” said Peridot, “tonight's dinner will enlighten our situation enormously.” I simply could not imagine how crystal clear all the events that brought us to Florence would soon become. With the Arno River on our left our early evening stroll took us past the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. We then turned north and followed the narrow cobblestones to a central round about with the Column of Justice ( La statue de la justice ) in its center. As our destination approached, I caught Peridots glance. He appeared to recognize a man sitting at a small table, just outside the cafe, curiously looking at his phone. Peridot walked directly over to the man, cleared his throat, to get his attention, and held out his hand, “Well Mr. Davies, how have yo...

Museo Galileo We were still working our lead in Florence in pursuit of that elusive Ceylon Sapphire taken from the Paris boutique. However, Peridot wanted some time away from the case. He always reminded me that the science of deduction includes time to allow the subconscious to process the facts. It was no accident we would visit the famous telescope; Peridot's agenda for our trip was becoming quite clear. Florence was a treasure trove of history just waiting to be explored. "This telescope, my boy, is over 400 years old," said my friend Hercule Peridot. We stood over an enclosed glass encasement at the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy. "It is the very instrument that Galileo Galilee used to discover the moons of Jupiter. Thus changing the accepted view of the cosmos.” The telescope was about three feet long and consisted of a central tube with separate housings at either end for the objective and the eyepiece. The tube was formed by joining strips...

An anomaly that often struck me about the peculiar manner of my friend Hercule Peridot was the precision of his methods, yet the impulsive nature of his personality. Still, somewhat early morning, I carefully descended the hotels narrow staircase. To my surprise, found Peridot sipping coffee in the gathering room. He was impeccably dressed; a fine silk vest, dashing red necktie, and his shoes their customary adamantine luster. “What a marvelous view!” Ponte Vecchio Bridge “Yes, yes indeed, this splendid morning, we find ourselves in the heart of the city center, on the Arno River. He motioned to the window, “the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Join me for breakfast, my boy.” said Peridot, as he waved his hand over our Petit-déjeuner. “We have a tasty selection of cheese, and pastries. With a theatrical motion he kissed the fingers on his right hand, “And the coffee is simply superb. What could be better, I believe the Italians call it La Dolce Vita , the sweet life." ...

Peridot: Photo Robert Weldon Gemstones have been my fascination since childhood and, although in 1985 I embarked on the study of gems, I could never get a handle on practical gemology until I met Hercule Peridot. My name is Adamas Bontemps; as you will see, I was destined to discover the power of that elusive skill, the science of deduction. That cold, windy February day in Chicago would change my life forever . . .  It was 1982 when I first met Peridot; he was on the docket as the primary lecturer for a weekend gem seminar at the Natural History Museum in Chicago. It was a three-day affair. Peridot’s expertise was diamonds; in his flamboyant, jocular style, he captivated the audience with the power of the spoken word. The history, lore, the remarkable properties, and most of all, his enthusiasm and love for the study of that elusive gem. Day two of the conference, it was as if my mind was radiated by a glowing light, “That’s exactly what I want to do!” That day was ma...

"I have a book here," said my friend Alister Peridot as we relaxed by the evening fire, "which I think, Adamas, that we simply must pursue." Peridot paused to take a sip of his wine. We had made our way to Peridot’s study at his Los Angeles home and were seated in the leather chairs in front of the cozy fireplace. "When you say pursue - what exactly do you mean monsieur ?” I asked. “Recently, I have been fascinated by the birth of the Renaissance. Many identify that period with Leonardo da Vinci; however, this small book has convinced me that another genius 100 years before da Vinci had already made staggering contributions to mathematics, architecture, and pure reason. Listen  to this." “On August 19, 1418, a competition was announced in Florence, where the city’s magnificent new cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, had been under construction for more than a century:" " Whoever desires to make any model or design for the vaulting o...