For years now my grandmother and I have met every week for a visit: dinner and scrabble. It’s our tradition. I always stop for fried chicken along the way. It’s wonderful.

This week, after a very close game of scrabble, grandmother suggested we look at her “old” jewelry (she knows I love jewelry). She left the kitchen, returning with a small, marvelously embroidered jewelry box. Delicate, the small jewelry box looked like it held little jewelry.

What a surprise! Grandma’s jewelry box overflowed with gems: amethyst jewelry, CZ, peridot and ruby jewelry, sapphire and turquoise jewelry, pearl, garnet and quartz jewelry. I could go on and on.

It was a jewelry treasure trove! A magic pit of jewelry! Blackbeard’s jewelry booty! Every time I thought the jewelry box empty, grandmother lifted another gemstone, another dazzling specimen.

Grandmother had a story for every brooch and necklace, every bracelet, every set of earrings. We retraced her life through that jewelry. It was beautiful.

We spent hours over that jewelry box, talking and laughing. As I was leaving, I kissed my grandmother’s a cheek as I always do. Before I turned around, she grabbed my hand. From behind her back emerged the jewelry box. ‘I want you to have the jewelry box dear, and don’t say no,’ she pushed the jewelry box into my hands, ‘just remember.’

I was weepy all the way home. I’ve put grandma’s story, her jewelry box, on my mantle where I see it everyday…..remembering.

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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!

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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.

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.

Pearls have long been coveted as mysterious and awe-inspiring gems. They represent purity, classic style and elegance. Pearls are unique as they are created from living animals rather than from earth, like other gemstones. All mollusks with a shell can produce a pearl. Formation occurs when a grain of food becomes trapped in the shell. The animal, sensing its presence, begins to “coat” the particle with layers of mineral. This results in the iridescent luster recognized in both natural and cultured pearls.

Cultured Pearls

Only one in 10,000 mollusks naturally produce pearls, making them (the pearls, not the mollusks) rare and prized. The process of producing “cultured pearls” has developed techniques to improve these odds. Most pearls in today’s market are cultured.

Shape, size and color

Pearls are not typically formed as perfect spheres. It is far more common to find irregular shapes and a wide variety of sizes. Also, pearls are found in an astonishing range of colors. They are purple or black, white, gold and everything in between.

Fashion jewelry

Since pearls have always been a rare commodity, there exists a long history of producing these gems through artificial means. Beginning in Ancient Rome and continuing with Queen Elizabeth I of England, man-made pearls have met the demands that nature could not. Beginning in the 1930’s, Coco Chanel led the fashion industry in the use of imitation pearls to inspire elegant and chic designs. Natural or imitation, pearls today retain a glamorous quality of sophisticated style.

A pearl necklace is a fashion must: classic, beautiful, and adaptable. Of course, it’s difficult to decide what to buy. From saltwater chokers to an opera necklace, options are vast. That said, here’s a little guide to help you choose your perfect pearl necklace.

Pearls

There are many options available when choosing a pearl necklace. First one must choose whether to buy a necklace of natural or cultured pearls, than decide whether you’d like a saltwater or freshwater necklace. There are also different shapes of pearls to choose from. You can buy a necklace with round or spherical Pearls, symmetrical pearls or baroque or irregularly shaped pearls. The rounder the pearls the more expensive the necklace will be. Although a necklace of baroque pearls would be the least expensive baroque pearls are also beautiful.

Necklace Styles

Here’s a list of necklace styles to help you navigate your necklace search:

• Choker: A choker is 14″ to 16″ long. Chokers sit on the base of the neck
• Princess Necklace: A princess necklace is 18″ long. It is between choker and matinee length
• Matinee Necklace: A matinee necklace is 22″ to 23″ long. It should sit at the top of cleavage
• Opera Necklace: An opera necklace is 30″ to 36″ long and should sit at the breastbone
• Sautoir or Rope Necklace: A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length
• Dog Collar: A dog collar necklace consist of multiple strands of pearls that lay close to the neck
• Bib Necklace: A bib necklace is multiple strands of stepped pearls.

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• Graduated Necklace: In a graduated necklace, larger pearls in the middle gradually become smaller toward the clasp
• Uniform Necklace: Here, the pearls appear to be all the same size, although normally there is a slight difference towards the ends so they appear to be in proportion

Whatever pearl necklace you choose, you’re sure to love it. A pearl necklace is a classic enduring piece of jewelry.

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.

Regardless of your favorite type of pearls, every woman knows they’re a “must have.” Whether your style is elegant or edgy, there’s certain to be pearls you’ll love!

MAKING PEARLS

Pearls are created by salt or freshwater oysters and clams. Given that pearls are made by living creatures, they are called organic gems. Beginnig as a piece of sand or other particle that enters the shell of an oyster or clam, pearls are formed when the oyster or clam coats the particle with layers of a substance called nacre. The layers eventually become thick enough to form a pearl.

Pearls are classified by origin and shape. Here’s a guide to the classification of pearls:

ORIGIN OF PEARLS

Natural Pearls

Formed using the process above, the shape of natural pearls varies depending on the shape of the piece being coated. Natural pearls are rare and expensive.

Cultured Pearls

Cultured pearls are created like natural pearls, except they get a helping hand from humans. To make a cultured pearl, the shell is gingerly opened and an object is inserted. Depending upon the desired shape of the pearls, different shaped objects are inserted. Cultured pearls are valued by their size in millimeters.

Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls are created by a saltwater clam or oyster. Saltwater pearls can be either natural or cultured.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls grow inside of a clam or oyster that lives in a river or a lake.

SHAPE OF PEARLS

Spherical Pearls

Spherical pearls are round. The rounder the pearls, the rarer and more expensive they are.

Symmetrical Pearls

Symmetrical pearls include pearls that are symmetrical from one side to another. These pearls are not round.

Baroque Pearls

Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped pearls. Though beautiful, baroque pearls are usually the least expensive.

Whether you choose jewelry with cultured or natural pearls, salt or freshwater pearls, spherical, symmetrical or baroque pearls, you’re certain to look beautiful whatever your style!

We all love our beautiful gemstone jewelry.  Here are some tips on jewelry maintenance.

Gemstone Jewelry Care

Here are a few things you can do to help your gemstones maintain their color and clarity:

• Store your gemstones in soft cloth pouches to prevent them from chipping
• Clean your gemstones regularly in soap and water.  Let your gemstones air dry then polish them with a soft cloth
• Clean your gemstones. Brush them with a worn toothbrush

Caring for Precious Metals 

Here’s how to care for your gold, platinum and silver jewelry:

• Treat jewelry settings gently!
• Don’t do rough and tumble activities while wearing your precious metals!
• Don’t expose your jewelry to harsh chemicals or abrasive surfaces
• Store your silver in a cool, dry dark place
• Regularly clean your gold, platinum and silver with soap and water.  Dry your jewelry with a soft cloth
• Use a commercial tarnish remover to clean your tarnished silver
• Have your jewelry professionally cleaned if need be

Pearl Jewelry Care

• Store pearl jewelry in a soft cloth, away from other jewelry   
• When getting ready, put your pearls on last   
• Clean your pearls with a soft cloth only
• Restring your pearl necklaces every few years

Whatever you do, make sure to take your gemstones, pearls and precious metals to a jeweler for an annual check-up if you want to keep them as beautiful as they day you bought them. 

We all love our jewelry so take good care and enjoy!

-Mary Beth

We girls do love our gemstone jewelry! 

Gemstone jewelry looks great on!  With all the different colors, types and cuts of gemstone jewelry available, it’s hard to decide what to wear.  Whatever you prefer, your gemstone jewelry is certain to be beautiful.  Gemstone jewelry makes a girl feel good!

These days there’s a lot of gemstone jewelry to choose from.  The good news is gemstone jewelry is inexpensive and easy to find.  Building a collection of gemstone jewelry is fun.  I love my gemstone jewelry (and there’s a lot of it)!  I like to buy gemstone jewelry sets for accessorizing. Before long you too can have lots of gemstone jewelry to enjoy!

Gemstone jewelry has been linked to birthdates for centuries!  Even today we usually count our birthday gemstones as our favorites.  I know I do!  I love to give people gemstone jewelry for their birthdays.  Here’s a list of birthstones in case you like that idea too:

• January: Garnet
• February: Amethyst
• March: Aquamarine
• April: Diamond
• May: Emerald
• June: Pearl and Moonstone
• July: Ruby
• August: Peridot
• September: Sapphire
• October: Opal and Tourmaline
• November: Yellow Topaz and Citrine
• December: Blue Topaz and Turquoise

Whether for yourself or for others, you just can’t go wrong with gemstone jewelry!

-Summer