Bizarre coincidence on pendant in memory of ‘Black'

THERE was something of the supernatural in the discovery that a jeweller’s stamp on a pendant owned by singer ‘Black’ bears the same three letters – BRU – of the charity that a replica pendant is supporting.

Ever since she opened her jewellery business in 1993, Sabine Lenz wanted to give something back and the opportunity presented itself when – with the permission of Camilla Griehsel – she designed a pendant in memory of Camilla’s husband, the singer songwriter Colin Vearncombe, otherwise known as Black.

Together, they decided that the money raised from the sale of the pendant – which went on release in May – would be donated to Brú Columbanus, an organisation that provided Camilla and their sons, Max, Marius and Milan, with accommodation while Colin was in CUH after a road traffic accident.

People throughout the world mourned the passing of Black in January 2016, but there was some comfort in the fact that the same charity had just opened a second-hand shop in the village. 

Sabine told The Southern Star: ‘It seems to me that this entire project has been about connections. Even so, nothing could have prepared us for the surprise in finding the letters ‘BRU’ in the designer’s stamp on Colin’s own pendant.’

Sabine’s commemorative pendant was inspired by the pendant that Colin almost always wore. Camilla explained that she had the pendant made for Colin when they first met, so it held a particular significance for her and their children. Sabine remained faithful to the original design – a smiling sun – but added one embellishment, an inscription ‘Saol Iontach’. 

The inscription means Wonderful Life, which is the title of the song that made Colin an international star.

Sabine confirmed that all of the 9k gold pendants have sold out, but there are still 14 of the 18k gold pendants, plus 48 of the silver ones available until September 15th next and that, to date, almost €20,000 has been raised for Brú Columbanus in Wilton. She said: ‘I am blown away by the support that our customers, as well as Colin’s friends and fans, gave to this project. 

‘It is lovely to see so many local people wearing the pendant around Schull – it serves as a reminder of Colin and his wonderful music. 

‘It’s good, too, that the money raised will help Brú Columbanus to continue their great work in offering free accommodation to family and friends of people who are seriously ill in Cork hospitals.’ And it must be comforting that the original pendant bore the letters BRU.