I collect earrings. Not for myself, of course. (Except for the bat, which I’ve already explained)  But I do have female relatives that are gaga over fashion jewelry, and they think I am the one to keep up with all the latest styles. I don’t mind a bit. It gives me an excuse to see what’s out there, and prowl around on the internet to my heart’s content. Especially this time of year. What could be more fun?

If I’m feeling flush, I invest in ruby and emerald earrings for that seasonal look. If not, I stick with simple enamel designs, or sterling silver holly posts, one of my favorite looks. My ladies aren’t picky, and they think anything I come up with has to be good. Pretty sweet!

After my last blog post, a friend of mine reminded me none-too-gently about the great arts and crafts shows that appear all over the country every spring, summer and fall. Thanks Jerome, my jewelry making friend. This is an important point. For many craftspeople and artists, the venue for selling their work centers on crafts shows.

Attend these fascinating events and pick up some wonderful gifts for birthdays and the holiday season. If ever there was an easy way to support your country’s artists, going to crafts shows and purchasing from the artists themselves is it. Keep in mind some of these folks travel all the way across the country to attend these events. Make them happy they came!

After all, if we want artists and their work to remain a part of our lives, we have to help create the environment to allow them to survive as artists.

What better way to surprise Mom than with a beautiful pendant with her birthstone? Or perhaps a charm to add to her charm bracelet, a gorgeous ring, or a lovely pair of handcrafted earrings made by an artist?

Of course not all moms like jewelry, but I’d wager that the largest percentage would love to have something given to them by their husband or child. My mom was a real sentimentalist, and from the time I gave her a beautiful topaz-encrusted butterfly pendant to the day she passed away she never took it off.

Find out what piece of jewelry Mom has always wanted to own, and make this the best Mother’s Day ever by presenting it to her on her special Sunday, May 10th.

Sometimes it’s just too easy to buy your father a tie, your mother flowers or your sister a lizard. A lizard? Yes, that’s what I said. I haven’t gone off my rocker, but I do think you can expand your horizons and look towards a more unique gift giving season .

I also think that a holiday season of fun, love and creativity would be appropriate this year. Gather your loved ones around you, talk about the true importance of family and make plans to help each other in the coming months.

And if you’re giving gifts this year, make sure that you can truly afford them. If a diamond is out of your reach, purchase something in sterling silver. The expense of the present isn’t the important thing, but the thought behind it of course.

Why does shopping have to be drudgery? It’s unreal to me that choosing a beautiful jewelry gift for someone special could be anything other than intensely pleasurable. I like to set aside a special time to go looking, either in person or on line. If I’m shopping at home, I make sure to have a nice glass of red wine to hand, or maybe a little eggnog this time of year.

The trick is to not be in a hurry. Kick back, put on some classical music (or hip hop, folk or punk- whatever suits your fancy) and let your imagination soar! Yes, shopping can be an imaginative adventure if you just think a little outside of the ordinary. People do like to be surprised, you know.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to own a lovely pendant in sterling silver . Put a meaningful charm on a silver chain and no matter what you’ve spent on it, you’ll feel like a princess.

The best necklace pendants are the ones that reflect something about you. That’s what makes collecting them so enjoyable. Pendants in sterling aren’t necessarily costly, yet hung around your neck they’ll reflect the light in a beautiful silvery gleam and can be the perfect accessory for any outfit.

Some of the most glamorous women I’ve met have worn simple black dresses with an elegant silver chocker, all that was necessary to enhance their loveliness.

There are a growing number of jewelers who are catering to wealthy pet owners. It was bound to happen, as people’s pets come to mean more to them than ever before.

Of course you can’t worry too much about what Fido does to that beautiful diamond studded bone worn on his collar as he rolls around in the mud. But come to think about it, I bet the owners who would put such a fine jewelry item on their pooch don’t live anywhere near mud anyway.

Little toy poodles with gem-encrusted collars are more likely to be found in Beverly Hills than the suburbs of Detroit, but even middle class pet owners are decorating their non-human companions with costume jewelry.

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to give her something beautiful to wear. Is there anything as personal as a lovely jewelry item?

Sometimes just a simple string of pearls says it all. Elegant, natural and something that can be worn with that simple black dress or a springy mint green summer dress.

Or how about an elegant gold charm or pendant? It may be a little late to go shopping on line, but there are lovely items to be had at any reputable jewelry store. Ask for some advice on styles and types of jewelry if you feel uncertain about what she might like. And be sure that she can exchange it if it isn’t quite the right thing for her.

But the likelihood is that if YOU bought it for her, it will be meaningful. Mothers are like that.

Sometimes giving someone a piece of jewelry as a gift has romantic significance. But just as often many people give jewelry as thank you gifts, bridesmaid gifts or even new baby gifts.

There are just as many styles as there are personalities to wear them. Pearls are sophisticated and classy, sterling silver is wonderful on so many levels and diamonds are still a girl’s best friend!

But there are many other gemstones besides diamonds to love. I’m especially fond of rubies and emeralds- their clear fine brilliance draws me in. I don’t know that I would wear a pair of ruby cufflinks myself, but I certainly admire them!

There are practically infinity of styles and types of jewelry. All of them have a place, from the most primitive uncut stone to a highly polished emerald or diamond. And to me, every one of them has beauty and grace.