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.

Jewelry which is termed ‘vintage’ includes many decades or eras. Each era has many different designs. These eras include Georgian, Early Victorian, Mid-Victorian, Late Victorian, Arts and Crafts era, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro.

Georgian Jewelry (1714-1837)
Georgian jewelry is handmade, making the quality of each piece variable. Needless to say, Georgian jewelry is very rare. Often featuring nature-inspired designs such as leaves and birds, Georgian jewelry frequently includes precious stones.

Early Victorian, Romantic Jewelry (1837-1850)
Like jewelry of the Georgian era, early Victorian jewelry features nature-inspired designs. Frequently, these designs would be delicately and intricately etched into gold. Lockets and brooches were popular everyday jewelry during the early Victorian era whereas colored gemstones and diamonds were worn during the evening.

Mid-Victorian, Grand Jewelry (1860-1880)
Because the Grand or Mid-Victorian era corresponded with the death of Queen Victoria’s husband, many jewelry pieces have solemn, grave designs. Known as mourning jewelry, the pieces feature heavy, dark stones. Jet, onyx, amethyst, and garnet are frequently found in jewelry from this period. The jewelry also became especially creative during this period. More colorful designs were born featuring shells, mosaics and colorful gemstones.

Late Victorian, Aesthetic Jewelry (1885-1900)
During the Late Victorian or Aesthetic period, jewelers used diamonds and feminine, bright gemstones such as sapphire, peridot, and spinel. Star and crescent designs as well as elaborate hat pins were also popular.

Arts and Crafts Jewelry (1894-1923)
Due to the Industrial Revolution, many jewelry designers rebelled during the Arts and Crafts era, returning to intricate jewelry designs and handmade craftsmanship. It was common for jewelry of this era to be simple in pattern, made of colorful, uncut stones.

Art Nouveau Jewelry (1895-1915)
Designed by Rene Jules Lalique in France and other jewelers in America, Art Nouveau jewelry features natural designs such as flowers and butterflies.

Edwardian Jewelry (1901-1910)
The Edwardian era was born when Queen Victoria died and her son Edward became king. During this period, expensive gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds and rubies and elaborate designs were the fashion.

Art Deco Jewelry (1920-1935)
Influenced by African, Egyptian and Japanese themes, Art Deco jewelry is famous for its geometric designs, sharp lines, and bright colors. Bakelite, celluloid, enamel and doublets were used frequently during this era. Necklaces were long and bracelets were worn many at a time. Amber, Venetian and glass beads, and amber were worn as well as chokers.

Retro Jewelry (1940s)
Inspired by Hollywood, Retro jewelry is colorful, bold and elaborate. Commonly worn were large cocktail rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces and charm bracelets.

Whatever vintage jewelry you choose, whatever era you prefer. Vintage jewelry is a great way to spice up your style and get creative!

Cubic zirconia is a stellar diamond substitute. Because it’s hard and sparkly, cubic zirconia is great for those who don’t want to buy a pricey diamond.

Even better, now they’re making cubic zirconia (CZ) in a bunch of colors so we can buy cubic zirconia instead of emeralds, rubies, sapphires or other mind-blowingly expensive rocks.

What’s the Difference: Cubic Zirconia vs. Fancy Gemstones

There are lots of differences between the pricey gemstones and cubic zirconia. This isn’t a bad thing though. Take diamonds for example. Cubic zirconia looks almost perfect and diamonds have flaws making cubic zirconia way more intense than diamonds or other fancy stones. That said, don’t pretend your wearing a diamond when it’s really a cubic zirconia because you’ll embarrass yourself. Even though cubic zirconia and diamonds are both colorless, they don’t look alike. You can tell if someone is wearing a cubic zirconia or a diamond. The same applies for colored cubic zirconia. If you’re wearing a green cubic zirconia ring, don’t expect it to look like emerald. Most likely, the cubic zirconia will be brighter and prettier.

Personally, I love cubic zirconia. Just think, we can buy affordable cubic zirconia jewelry that’s prettier than the real thing!

A lariat necklace is a very, very long necklace. Because a lariat necklace is a long, clasp less strand of gems, pearls or beads, a girl can twist, tie and knot her lariat necklace however she likes. The lariat necklace is a wonderfully adaptable accessory. Wear your lariat necklace one way for sophistication then wear your lariat necklace another way for funkiness. A lariat necklace is a must have!

Of course, even as concerns a lariat necklace, there can be a catch.

Fabulous Party: Fabulous Lariat Necklace

In honor of the Emmys, a friend of mine threw a faux-emmy party. I was delighted to dress elegantly. I wore a floor-skimming dress with plunging back. A beautiful lariat necklace streamed down my back. I looked fabulous as did the lariat necklace.

Falling For a Lariat Necklace

Well, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. This was one of those times. Half way through the party, I passed a beautiful, towering orchid arrangement when the end of my lariat necklace got caught in the flowers. The lariat necklace brought me down and the gigantic arrangement down! Thank goodness my head wasn’t in the way because the arrangement came crashing down after me!

There was quite a fuss. It took 6 women to disentangle the lariat necklace before I could move from the puddle of dirt, water and orchid remains in which I lay. My dress and hair were ruined. The lariat necklace was ruined. Once again, it’ll take me ages to redeem my ‘decked out diva’ reputation.

Of course, nobody’s perfect. Not even the perfect lariat necklace.

Earrings are not just a decoration; they reflect our personality and style. Earrings are an accessory staple.

There are two basic types of earrings: pierced and clip-on. Of course, there’s a wide selection of earring styles within these two categories of earrings. Common styles of pierced earrings include hoop earrings, stud earrings, chandelier earrings, dangle earrings, button earrings, and droplet earrings among others. Many pierced earrings attach to the earlobe with a wire rather than a post.

Though they have recently made a comeback, clip-on earrings were relegated to relative uselessness in the 1970’s to because of pierced earrings popularity. Clip-on earrings clip to the ear with a spring attachment or screw-in post.

Earrings can made of any number of materials. Whether you’re looking for precious metal earrings such as gold, silver, or platinum, gemstone or beaded earrings you’re sure to be able to find the earrings you’re looking for.

Find Earrings on eBay

Once you know the earrings you want, search under eBay jewelry & watches category.

• Categories: The primary Categories give links to related listings. If you search for jewelry & watches, you’ll find links to Earrings, Necklaces & Pendants, Rings and other categories. There are also subcategory lists.
• Product Finder: The drop-down menus on a Product Finder allow you to search listings based on specific criteria.
• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find diamond earring, type “diamond earrings” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click “Search title and description” to expand your results. eBay also has a Search Tips page to help you choose keywords.

If you can’t find the earrings you want, try shopping eBay Stores for earrings. You can also creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay. eBay will email you when a match is made.

Buy Earrings with Confidence

Before purchasing your earrings, make sure you know exactly what you’re buying. Always research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know Your Earrings

• Read the earring details carefully.
• Figure delivery costs into your earrings final price. Make sure the seller will insure the earrings when they ship.
• If you want more information, ask by clicking the “Ask seller a question” link under the seller’s profile.
• Always complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Earrings bought outside of eBay won’t be covered by eBay protection programs.
• Never pay for your earrings using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram.

Know Your Earrings Seller

• Research your seller so you feel secure about buying earrings.
• What’s the seller’s Feedback rating for purchases of earrings? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?
• What do buyers of earrings say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?
• Most top eBay sellers have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee for your earrings? What are their terms and conditions for buying earrings?

Earrings Buyer Protection

• ebay and PayPal are there for you if a problem arises while purchasing your earrings.
• When you buy earrings through PayPal, the seller never sees your bank account or credit card numbers. PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments. PayPal Buyer Protection covers your earrings purchase for up to $1,000.
• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay’s quick and efficient resolution tools.

Whatever earrings you choose, they make a special statement. Get the earrings you want and enjoy!

Okay, so occasionally I come across these seemingly unbelievable stories that, although somewhat tasteless, I just have to share.  This is one of those stories.

I’m sorry to say that I spent last Thursday at my Great Uncle Jim’s funeral.  Though he was a bit of a penny pincher, Uncle Jim was a wonderful, loving man and he was very much loved by my Great Aunt Violet who was in attendance last week.  Well, Auntie Violet is not a young woman.  In fact, she’s pushing 95 years old.  She’s lived a hard life and never had much of anything to speak of. 

That said, after the funeral I heard Auntie Violet speaking with her friend Mimi about the money Uncle Jim had left her.  Apparently Auntie Violet was left with $30,000.00.  When Mimi asked how much the funeral cost and how much Auntie Violet had left for herself, Auntie Violet told her that she had nothing left, that the funeral cost the whole $30,000.00! Mimi was aghast. 

“All of it!”  She exclaimed “$30,000.00!?”

Auntie Violet nodded matter of factly. 

“Well,” Mimi went on “how much did everything cost?” 

Auntie Violet began, “the services were $1000 and the plot and everything was $2500 and then there was the memorial stone.” 

As I was standing there, doing the math in my head, I could tell Mimi was doing the same. 

Mimi asked, “The memorial stone was over $25,000?  How big was it?” 

Auntie Violet looked quietly over at Mimi before beaming, “Two and a half carats.”

Well girls, you can imagine how difficult it was for me to keep from laughing.  All I have to say is You Go Girl! 

Good old Auntie Violet, Uncle Jim would be so proud.

Now you all know I’m a great lover of jewelry and gemstones. In fact, it could be argued that I am one of the greatest lovers….of gemstones.

That said, despite my great love of gemstones, I’ve never actually dreamt about them. Of course, there’s always a first. Last night was my first time dreaming about gemstones.

Dreaming about gemstones is sexy!

As I dreamed I found myself at a fabulous gala engagement with a beautiful unnamed Italian. I was wearing a full-length strapless glimmering with gemstones. There were gemstones adorning my hair, my arms, my neck (it was magnificent!), gemstones embedded in the floor, the walls, the soaring ceiling. The orchestra was playing; their instruments made entirely of gemstones. All the other women looked amazing also, bejeweled head to foot with gemstones.

The unnamed Italian and I floated about the ballroom as servers passed by carrying trays of champagne glasses filled, not with bubbly, but with gemstones: garnet, diamond, emerald, rubies, you name it. Gemstones everywhere!

As the music played, as talk and laughter echoed off gemstone walls, the beautiful Italian took my hand and led me to a hidden atrium where we sat on a dazzling gemstone bench. Suddenly it began to rain gemstones, rain and rain and rain, beautiful, perfect gemstones. There were gemstones in my lap, my hands, everywhere, everywhere gemstones!

The beautiful Italian leaned into me, gemstones raining around us when….

Damn!

I woke up!

You know what though girls, gemstones are sexy!

Most think a girl needs a diamond engagement ring, but there ARE other gemstones that can make a prettier engagement ring than a plain old diamond.

‘Lordy! What is this woman saying!’ you ask. But it’s very true. An engagement ring need not be diamond. You heard me. An engagement ring need not be diamond!

These days many boyfriends seek his girlfriend’s advice re: engagement ring. It’s a strange new engagement ring tradition, but there you go. So when my friend asked my (the gemstone gypsy’s) engagement ring opinion, I wasn’t surprised. Now most people in my shoes would’ve advised my friend get a giant diamond engagement ring, but I wasn’t about to go there. Diamonds are overrated, boyfriend’s a working stiff and my friend just isn’t a diamond kinda girl. I suggested a different gem for her engagement ring.

At first my friend was shocked: what’ll people think of such an engagement ring? Can you get a non-diamond engagement ring (our jewelry assumptions can be quite ridiculous)? Would her engagement ring look cheap? What’ll her boyfriend think of this lapse in engagement ring etiquette? After some convincing, I assuaged her fears and she was excited about a non-traditional engagement ring.

On the aside I’d like to mention that in many countries, diamonds aren’t the engagement ring stone. In fact, an engagement ring might flaunt any stone imaginable without breaking engagement ring tradition.

After perusing multiple gemstones, my girlfriend decided upon an aquamarine engagement ring (her boyfriend’s eyes are blue). I sent her happily off to shop with her hubby-to-be for an engagement ring.

I am delighted to say the engagement ring is beautiful! My friend and her fiancée are thrilled with her engagement ring and everyone she’s showed her engagement ring to loves it. Something different!

So there you go girls, sometimes the engagement ring tradition’s meant to be broken.

Now you know how much I love gemstones.  I even love diamonds (though I prefer CZ), but there is a limit to everything.  There are some places that a person just should not go!  This I learned while perusing diamonds online!

There’s new synthetic diamonds on the market and these diamonds are a doozey.  It goes something like this: Want to preserve the memory of your dearly departed, keeping them close for all times?  We can turn their ashes into a virtually flawless diamond! Daddy diamonds, mama diamonds, grandma diamonds, anyone you like.  These diamonds are a special keepsake!  The trashiest diamonds around.

Imagine, your boyfriend proposes with two beautiful diamonds: his parents’ remains.  Your best friend wears grandpa always.  Husband gifts his in-laws to wifey in diamonds.  Pets bedazzle a bracelet of diamonds.

The possibilities of these diamonds are endless!  Trashy, but endless.

Girls, I beg of you, no matter how much you love diamonds, just don’t go there!

Hi, Jackie here.

One of the things you may or may not know about me is the fact that I am a lead singer in an all-girl punk rock band.  Now this may come as a surprise since I am such a girly girl, what with my love of fashion, jewelry, sexy strappy heels and glittery bags, but it’s the truth.  I just love to get up there and scream and shout and punk out, stilettos and all.

Now the other girls in the band are a bit edgier than I am.  Typically they all wear some combination of black spandex and studs.  The contrast between me and the rest of the ladies in the band is actually interesting up on stage (I’ve seen pictures).

Well, recently we girls decided to get some matching jewelry to wear while we perform: necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  Though one would think I would be the obvious choice to find this jewelry for us, the other girls were hesitant to allow me this pleasure. 

Afraid I would show up at the next show with Milan-glamorous accessories, they were all completely against the idea of my buying our jewelry.  Of course, I wasn’t about to let them do the shopping.  Heavens forbid!  I could just see myself: a studded choker just was not going to go with my stilettos.  Well it took some persuasion in which I reminded them that I had, even in my own repertoire, an array of edgy jewelry, but I finally convinced them. 

Looking for punk rock jewelry that a girl like me is willing to wear is a task within itself, but to find punk rock jewelry that both a glamour queen like me and three hard core chicks would wear was going to be a real challenge. 

The first thing I did was to go online and search “punk rock jewelry” to give myself an idea of what’s out there.  Honestly, there was nothing there that I would be caught dead in!  I decided to look outside the box.

I went to the mall to clear my head. It was there that I had my epiphany.  CZ! (I’m a big fan of cubic zirconia.  In my opinion I see no reason why a woman should have one little diamond when she can have a whole lot of CZ).

Well it dawned on me that some chunky silver jewelry loaded with black and white CZ was just what we were looking for.  It would provide all the glitz and glam I was looking for while giving the other girls the edgy look they expected. 

Now one would think a department store was the way to go, but I know better.  These days there is so much more available online, and it’s all at your fingertips, selection, selection, selection.  You can find exactly what you are looking for if you search around online and that’s just what I did.  I went online and after a couple hours of determined searching, I found the jewelry that we would all be happy with.

Well believe it or not, they loved it and you know what (I saw the pictures) we all looked great!