The Sweet Service Award goes to Jade, a shop in Stellenbosch specializing in selling pearls, and its Manager and jewelry designer Ariéne Jansen. On a recent shopping visit, mentioning that the purchase was a birthday indulgence, I received pouches in different sizes from Ariéne, one each in which to keep my earrings, and the other the necklace which I had bought, very convenient gifts for traveling. I had never been spoilt by the shop like this previously, having awarded it a Sour Service Award earlier this year, due to the poor service received from another staff member! On my return ten days later, to request matching up a favorite earring which I had lost, Ariéne efficiently and very inexpensively created the lost earrings and fixed another earring. She also made up a pearl necklace for me, to an exact length, within a two-hour period, which allowed me to browse the shops around Church Street.  Continue reading →