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If you’re starting to feel a chill in the air, then you’re feeling the same thing I am – fall is really here! The month of September is coming to an end, while autumn comes to its peak.

As the trees are turning their beautiful autumn colors, so the colors and shapes of the fashions of the season are changing and evolving.

WHAT’S HOT THIS FALL

This year, styles from years ago are again at the top of the “must-have” lists for fall fashion. Leggings and knits are definitely leading the way.

Leggings were one of the top fashion icons of the 1980’s and they’re back again. For me, it’s just not going to happen, but it sure is fun to see all the young girls dressing up like I used to in high school!

On the other hand, I’m certainly happy about seeing knits popping up everywhere! They’re comfortable, stylish and not too pricey.

COLORS COLORS COLORS!

Last season’s white sensation has made a bold turn with red taking over as the “hot” color for this fall season. Whether you find it in shades of cherry, cranberry, or tomato, red will always turn heads. It’s classy, easy to accessorize, and always available.

When not going for a bold statement with the reds, there are other great colors making a big splash this fall! Teal blue is great around the office, and plum purple is quickly becoming the new black!

Personally, I love the purples best. You can pair it with winter white, sienna, and a whole range of other colors. Accent with mother of pearl, and you’ve got the perfect classy combo.

CHOICES

Whatever you choose, try to focus on color combinations more than the style. We all know we’re not 22 any more (well, some of you are!) – so the hottest little skirt isn’t always the top priority. But, getting those wonderful fall colors and the accessories to match will make your outfits just right for you!

Ooh La La! Red Murano Glass Bracelet - $12.99

This Mother of Pearl Pendant is beautiful with all the fall colors and is only about $25!

So there you have it. Get into fall with some great colors and comfortable styles! - Summer

Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature. When a foreign object is caught in an oyster shell, the oyster protects itself by coating it with nacre. Layers of this substance form the iridescent appearance of a pearl. Pearls were once extremely rare and expensive since thousands of oysters had to be searched to discover very few pearls.

Today, pearls are cultured in both saltwater and freshwater. The term cultured does not mean that the pearls are synthetic. They are actually created within an oyster. However, a procedure is used to encourage the formation of the pearl. Usually, a tiny bead is inserted into the shell. It is returned to the water where it will begin to coat the object with the pearly substance. The oysters are then harvested for their pearls.

Pearl Quality

The iridescent quality of a pearl is known as the orient. The degree of luminescence is one factor in determining its worth. Lack of flaws or spots is another factor. A pearl’s texture, shape, size and color are also considered measurements of value.

Cultured vs. Synthetic Pearls

Though cultured pearls are produced within oysters, they are not naturally occurring gems. Synthetic pearls are man-made imitators of the pearl. You can determine whether a pearl is cultured or synthetic by checking its texture. Cultured pearls have a slightly rougher, sandpaper-like feel. Synthetic pearls are polished to a glassy, smooth finish. Sometimes a synthetic pearl has a painted surface which contributes to the smooth texture.

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This richly colored gemstone is known as a symbol of faith, consistency and truth. Mostly appearing in deep shades of red, the garnet actually displays the widest range of colors of all gemstones. Garnets can be found in every color of the spectrum except blue. The January birthstone takes its name from the Latin word for grain and is actually a family of gems rather than one specific gemstone.

Garnet in History

Jewelry featuring the garnet has been found dating back to 3000 BC, through the ruins of Ancient Greece and Egypt where garnets were used as talismans. Also, this gemstone was included in tombs of Ancient Egypt - meant to light the passage to the afterlife.

In Biblical history, Noah is depicted using a garnet to illuminate the way of the ark. The garnet is also one of twelve stones to adorn the Breastplate of Aaron, made by Moses for his brother. In the middle ages, the garnet was believed to hold medicinal value. The gemstone was said to offer protection from poisons and cures for other illness, especially those dealing with blood and infection.

Origins

Garnets today originate from African countries but are also mined in India, Russia, Central and South America. Usually cut into classic shapes, fancy cuts are becoming more common. Some members of the garnet family are exclusive to one part of the world. Many types, old and new, come from Africa.

The green Tsavorite garnet, named by Tiffany’s in New York, is found in Kenya and East Africa and imported by the United States.

Celebrate each season with its associated gemstones. This is another great way to select a gift or your own gemstone jewelry!

Spring Gems

Known as the gem of eternal spring and youth, the vibrant green emerald is the perfect springtime gemstone. This gem has long been known as a symbol of love and rebirth. Other gorgeous representations of spring include amethyst, pink topaz and peridot.

Summer Gems

Symbolizing passion and heat, the fiery red ruby is an ideal summer gemstone choice. The ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and is known as the “king of precious stones”. Summer’s bounty and heat is also well represented in the garnet, zircon and alexandrite.

Autumn Gems

Autumn is a time of harvest. The blue fall sky and the hope that new harvest brings is embodied in the bright sapphire gemstone. Hyacinth, topaz and tourmaline are also excellent choices for fall gemstone selection.

Winter Gems

Wintertime sparkles with the classic diamond gemstone. Bright and full of light, the diamond symbolizes ice and snow. Other fine choices are the winter gemstones turquoise and pearl.

In a perfect world life would be easy. We’d all get along and there wouldn’t be fighting. Yes, I’m being a little more serious than my normal column about fashion, jewelry, and celebrities. But…it’s around this time of year that I always think a little extra about my uncle and friend, David, who passed away in 1991.

Our family has always been pretty tight-knit – and Jenny (my aunt) and David, being only about 12 years older than me were more like close friends and mentors than your standard aunt and uncle. They dated forever and got married at the ripe-old age of 18, and were always smiling and laughing together. I remember learning all kind of things from both of them. Jen taking me showing me the “right” way to put on my lipstick. David calling that bad 6th grade “boyfriend” a jerk and making me feel better. Just all-around good memories.

Well, the “big D” (as his buddies used to call him) joined the Army right out of high-school and always told me just amazing stories. He got injured pretty bad in the first Gulf War, and…he was sent home. Seemed like he was going to recover, but things got pretty rough in the next few months. I was still pretty young (don’t want to totally give away my age!), and unfortunately, he passed away on November 11, 1991 – coincidentally enough, on Veteran’s day.

Yes, a sad story, but the years have passed, and Jen and I and the rest of our immediate family always spend Veteran’s Day together. We exchange little gifts, share some quiet times, a couple of tears and a bunch of laughs together. I like to give her a little gift every year…nothing too extravagant. Sometimes a little trinket, a charm, an Army pin. Something she can wear with pride.

The best part, is that on the 11th every year, she wears the gift I gave her the year before. So this year, she’ll be sporting a US Army watch I found at a surplus store last year. But, I think I’m running out of ideas!

I’m hoping some of you out there will give me some input. I’ve been thinking of maybe a little locket with an old picture, or even an Italian Charm bracelet that I can get customized with names and photos, or ….who knows?

So, please don’t hesitate to post a comment below with your ideas or stories. I was thinking about some kind of jewelry - I know someone out there has the perfect idea. (not too pricey, too!)

–MaryBeth

Searching for the perfect present? Gemstones are wonderfully personal gifts to mark a special occasion! Full of meaning and personal significance, they can be selected to commemorate anniversaries, birthdays, even to enhance personal appearance. Remember, you can also simply select a gemstone by color.
Go beyond the birthstone! Explore the world of gemstones and add a personal touch to your gift-giving.

Birthstones and Zodiac Gemstones

Is there a difference? Yes! While birthstones are determined by birth month, Zodiac gemstones are matched to your astrological sign. For example, for a birthday of September 22nd, the birthstone (for the month of September) is Sapphire. However, the Zodiac stone for this birthday would correspond to the Libra stone Opal.

Other Special “Birthstones”

These special Day of Birth gemstones correspond to the day of the week that you were born. Monday babies have a different stone than Thursday babies born within the same month or Zodiac sign.
Looking for a gemstone gift that is really unexpected? There are gemstones to match the hour of the day when you were born! Giving the gift of an Hour of Birth gemstone is not only unique and thoughtful but highly personal.

Wedding Anniversary Gemstones

Most people are aware that gemstones make fantastic birthday gifts. But you can also celebrate with wedding anniversary gemstones, marking each distinct year of your marriage with a gem equally as special and unique.

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Caring for your jewelry properly is easy, and will help it last for a lifetime of wear. For starters, I recommend either using mildly sudsy water for cleaning, then light polishing with a jewelry polishing cloth, such as a Goddard’s Long Shine Cloth, or sunshine cloth.

There are, however, many other methods for cleaning jewelry, and these are just my preferences. But first, please do be sure that your gemstones and pearls in the jewelry can withstand whichever method you choose. For regularly-worn jewelry, you may need to clean as often as weekly, while other items can go months and months without. The key is to touch it up before it gets to the point of having to go to a pro – and spend lots of money! Simply put, be picky, and clean as often as you have time to do so!

As far as keeping your jewelry in good shape, here’s the short version:

• Keep jewelry away from scratching, banging, chemicals of all kinds, swimming pools, hot tubs, extreme temps, strenuous activity, and intense sunlight.
• The chlorine and bromine in pools and hot tubs is particularly damaging to stones and metal, and will even damage solid gold.
• Wipe your jewelry off with a soft cloth after you wear it.
• Clean it regularly with mildly sudsy water, rinse really well, and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• Polish metals gently with a jewelry polishing cloth.
• Store most jewelry in a re-closeable plastic bag or cloth with anti-tarnish paper.
• Don’t subject your fine jewelry to strenuous activities of any kind.

In cases of extreme wear and tear, it’s really best to have your jewelry cleaned by a professional. But, if you follow these simple steps on a regular basis, you’ll probably never have to go to the pros!

In the world of writing about “stars” like Lindsay Lohan nothing really hits me like a big surprise anymore. So when a report flies down the line that Lindsay and her mom, Dina, had a loud verbal brawl at an exclusive Manhattan hot-spot I just chalk it up and say, “here we go again…”

So, the story goes, Lindsay got an invite to the b-day dinner at an Upper East Side restaurant. All was well, for just a bit, but after the first course arrived, things started to get out of hand.

“When Lindsay got there, her mother and her four friends were into their second bottle of Cristal,” said a restaurantgoer. “Right after the first course, they started fighting.”

Lindsay and Dina got into a full-on screaming match ending with Lindsay telling her mom to “go to hell” while storming off like a brat, leaving the older woman in tears.

Reports say that Dina spent a good 45 minutes or so trying to get a hold of Lindsay, to no avail. Maybe all Dina’s trips to the bathroom where she’d come back “sniffing” didn’t help either, because reports say she was no better, and people witnessed….”a distraught Dina throwing fortune cookies and flipping off waiters.”

No wonder her daughter is so nasty! I bet the holiday season is going to be a blast at the Lohan house this year!

Here are the juicy details on how it all went down.

On Thursday night, Lindsay reluctantly joined Dina for Dina’s birthday celebration at Phillipe on East 60th Street.

“Lindsay got a call from her mother telling her to come to the party,” said a spy. “Lindsay didn’t want to go, because her mother was drinking already, but she went anyway.”

All was well until the first course arrived.

“When Lindsay got there, her mother and her four friends were into their second bottle of Cristal,” said a restaurantgoer. “Right after the first course, they started fighting.”

The two began cursing each other in front of other patrons in the crowded Chinese eatery, including Ryan Cabrera, Brandy and Serena Williams at nearby tables. “A mortified” Lindsay finally told her mother to “go to hell!” before she exited. After Lindsay left, Dina started “crying and shaking . . . Dina typed vigorously on her BlackBerry for 45 minutes while her friends were just sitting there, and when the birthday cake came out, she broke out crying again - even louder.”

The unhappy birthday girl - who calls herself the “white Oprah” - also made “five trips to the bathroom in 90 minutes and came back to the table sniffling each time,” said our witness.

The tired and emotional Dina was so distraught that she started “throwing fortune cookies at the waiters and flipping them off.” Finally, after four hours of partying, the $2,000 bill was paid - with no tip for the waiters, who then “had to help her out of the restaurant as it closed down for the night.”

It’s one thing to bring out your problems, but to do it publicly like this is pretty classless. Guess the drinking and extra bathroom trips don’t make for a nice family outing. And, to add salt to wounds, the Post reports…“But the worst part of the servers’ evening was apparently still to come - they didn’t get a tip on the $2,000 birthday bash tab.”

Faux pearl earrings for under $15!