Oh the Humanity...

Note to self- don't wear those new rings and to-die-for bracelet to church again.  Their beauty distracted me throughout the service.  Some jewels are like that...

Same day, different distraction...afterwards, my shirt's topmost button fell open and exposed my breasts to a new couple at church.  The wife brought it to my attention.  As I frantically put the girls away, she continued, "It doesn't matter.  My husband is blind."  

Wearing all of it out to dinner tonight.  Plus a safety pin.   





 

A Taste- But We Have to Wait for 14 December

Check out the new Hobbit trailer....  Hobbit Trailer

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

In fairness, The Hobbit is about a reclamation of homeland and treasure, not the sacrifice of self for world.  The Arkenstone, or The Heart of the Mountain, is Thorin's heart's desire in The Hobbit. Can't wait to see it.

 

****Sorry- the link has been closed.  Sorry all.****

Navajo Jewels- for $500

Here's a recommendation for a $500 splurge! 

Isaiah Ortiz hand carved these geometric, futuristic earrings from silver blocks.  An award artist with international following, Mr. Ortiz continues the family tradition of silver smithing by making contemporary pieces. 


The Silver Plume Gallery

Sedona Indian Jewelry

The first sight of Mr. Ortiz' bracelets will make your knees weak...

Sedona Indian Jewelry

     

What Would You Buy For $500?

InStyle, my favorite fashion magazine, polled its readers, the majority of whom said that said that, if they were to suddenly have $500 for jewelry, they would spend it on a major item instead of a bunch of cheaper trinkets.  That got me thinking- what can $500 buy?  Stay tuned for the answers...and if you have any suggestions, post them, and let's all take a look!

The first item is...Ylang23 has a limited edition charm by Todd Reed for $480.  Made of 18 karat gold, sterling silver, and three tiny, rough diamonds, it measures little more than a half an inch across- perfect for a dainty necklace or a charm bracelet.  It is the least expensive Todd Reed piece you will ever see, and the proceeds for its sale go to charity, celebrating Ylang23's 25 year anniversary. 


Ylang23 Todd Reed charm

Shout Out!

Yesterday, a young woman at the grocery store was wearing a Heart of the Ocean necklace with jeans and a graphic t-shirt.  The crystals flashed a zillion rainbows, and it was a jawdroppingly beautiful piece of flash.  She obviously loved her necklace, and she ROCKED it.  I'd have taken her picture, but she was a little shy of the stranger (me) who stopped to tell her she was doing it right!  Her happiness and sparkle made her look better than Kate Winslet.     

Kate Winslet in Titanic

BTW- the Heart of the Ocean is a fictional stone made up for the movie.  After the movie, Asprey and Garrard made a saphire and diamond version, and Harry Winston made a Heart of the Ocean with a blue diamond unlike the movie's necklace.  Ms. Gloria Stuart, who played the older Rose in Titanic, wore it to the Oscars when she was nominated for best supporting actress.

Gloria Stuart wearing Harry Winston's Heart of the Ocean with a blue diamond.

Lost Summer

Gentle Reader, thank you for your continued patience.  This has been a busy, transitional summer. My eldest prepared for and went to university at Virginia Tech.  My youngest went to summer camp, adapted to being an only child, and began junior high.  My wonderful man had unexpectedly dramatic minor surgery that shut down a month.  We have not been to the beach.  We have not been to the pool.  We've sailed and kayaked locally because we have not left the area except to prepare for college and go to the mountains over one weekend.  I've swivelled my attention from my job to retiring; the process is more like dealing with a cancer than ripping off a band aid.  I'm in the resume, job hunting process and started my final Graduate Gemology class.  This summer was lost...but I am finding myself laughing again.  It promises to be an exciting fall!

In honor of this transitional season, I offer summer/fall transitional colors.  I've just discovered Iradj Moini, and my inner magpie is blown away.  His motto seems to be "Go Big or Go Home."  I'm in love.

Aquamarine, moonstone, and citrine

Citrine, emerald, and turquoise since more is more.

That slurping sound is me drooling; I'm dehydrating. 

Riots in the Middle East

The world is at the table of ideas like it never has been before. That's the good thing.  The bad thing is that violent incidents like this week's riots and terrorist attacks will continue until the world is free from those who leverage religious belief for their political gain. That will only come with more free speech, not less.  In the meantime, we shouldn't hate Islam, Muslims, Jews, bad movies, peaceful purveyors of bad ideas, or free speech.  Save that for those who use violence to respond to ideas they dislike.