General

Hiya! Garnet is the traditional birthstone of January.  Garnets are one of the oldest known gemstones.  People have been using garnets for jewelry and decorative objects since ancient times. The most popular color and the color most people associate garnets with is red, although they can occur in almost any color.  Often times red garnets… Read more »

Did you make your new year resolutions? Frankly I’m not big on new year resolutions.  I am however big on setting and having goals.  Resolutions and goals sort of go hand in hand.  Goals however, are something to achieve or attain.  Whereas resolutions are to vow to do or not do something.  To me, resolutions… Read more »

Happy Birthday December! Your gem color is blue. You have a choice of 3 different blue gems. Blue zircon, tanzanite and turquoise. Lucky you!               Blue zircon is the more traditional birthstone of December. Unfortunately zircon is not that well-known and often confused with cubic zirconia in part because… Read more »

Office parties, cocktails with friends, family gatherings and New Year’s Eve celebrations, tis the season! Whew! With all these gatherings whatever will you wear not to mention that is a lot of different outfits. You can cut the cost simply by changing up your accessories. Shoes, scarves and jewelry are some of the easiest accessories… Read more »

Hiya! The holidays are indeed upon us! Can you believe that it is already going to be Thanksgiving this week? With the holiday season comes family gatherings and holiday parties. Of course everyone wants to look their best at these gatherings. Or at least I hope you do! My motto has always been “when you… Read more »

Hiya! Silver and gold, silver and gold everyone wishes for silver and gold! Listen… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yynOx8wHWAc Yes the holidays are upon us!  But that is not what this post is about.  It is about silver and gold though, and brass and copper.                 A beautiful piece of jewelry is… Read more »

I had an amazing time at “Brooching The Subject” workshop in Gatlinburg at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. I spent last week immersed in making brooches. I got in late last Sunday afternoon after driving 6 hours in heavy traffic on I-40. It should have been more like a 5 hour drive! None-the-less… Read more »

I first fell in love with bubble bee jasper in June of 2012! I was a “newbie” to jewelry design and gemstones. I think it was perhaps my 2nd or 3rd time attending a major gem and jewelry show. I was at the JCK gem show in Las Vegas visiting my favorite gemstone people, Rare… Read more »

Hiya! What’s the difference between a brooch and a pin?  In the fashion world of today, not a whole lot!  The terms are most often used interchangeable. In the estate and antique jewelry world they are more often called brooches. Admittedly, brooch is a little more traditional and perhaps even a bit old-fashioned! Technically speaking,… Read more »

Hiya! I love this quote by Jackie Kennedy. It is my sentiment exactly regarding pearls. Last week I discussed the history of pearls. This week, as promised, I am going to delve more into the types of pearls that are out there today. even as I delve a bit deeper into the different types of… Read more »