If you are looking for some costume jewelry, are you better off with gold-filled jewelry or gold plated jewelry?

Well, here are some things to consider. Gold-plate is created using  an electro-chemical processes. Gold filled jewelry is created by a bonding process using heat and pressure. It will bond a thin layer of gold to a core made of brass. Gold plate wears off fairly quickly, whereas gold filled is the way to go if you plan on wearing the jewelry often.

And what about vermeil? This is a specific thickness of gold plated over any sterling silver jewelry or any other silver item. Would you like my opinion? Save your pennies and get yourself an actual 14K or 18K gold pendant, brooch or charm. As time goes by, you will be glad you have the real thing!

I love local art shows. Now, don’t get me wrong. There can be plenty of kitsch, lots of bad food and music that can drive you spinny! But if you have the patience to walk through all the aisles, you might just surprise yourself. And talk to the artists! I have made new friends with many of the young (and old!) jewelry artists who ply their craft at their local art shows.

And some of these artists travel quite a distance to reach the show. The better the show, especially if it is a juried art show, the more miles they may have traveled to participate in it. I’ve said this before, but it becomes more important with each passing month. Support the artists among us. Creative people are needed more now than ever. I firmly believe that the key to any economic recovery is an entrepreneurial spirit. Artists who make a living by their craft deserve a lot of support!

I have decided to change my look this year. For the past year I’ve worn a small diamond stud earring in one ear. I thought it was classy, but I’ve changed my mind. Who wants to be conservative in their adornments these days?

Men tend to be nervous about this sort of thing, but long ago I learned to follow my own drum beat. I spent enough time trying to fit in.

Just for a laugh, I think I’ll try a dangle earring. One that says something about me. I’m an avid gardener; maybe a butterfly? Too feminine? Well, a ladybug earring might be just the ticket. Don’t laugh! I’m going to San Francisco next month and there you can get away with wearing almost anything..

Now that another holiday season will shortly be upon us, it’s time to locate those fun fashion earrings and necklaces that celebrate this time of year. Why am I mentioning this so early? It’s because I am a Halloween addict, and can’t help bringing it up for your own consideration.

For the past 20 years I’ve gotten into costume every Halloween, even if that just means strolling to the post office dressed like a hillbilly from the 1920s. The stares I get make it worth while. I anticipate them eagerly as I apply stage makeup and fake beard.

Do I myself own a pair of Halloween earrings? Well, half a pair, anyway. Years ago I purchased a bat earring in sterling silver, and October 31st is the ONLY day I allow myself the pleasure of wearing it. With the hillbilly costume? Oh yes.

I start my holiday celebration early.

In these challenging economic times, I’ve noticed a profusion of ads professing to “turn your gold jewelry into cash.” How good an idea is this anyway? Well, when you sell gold jewelry for its scrap value, you will get quite a bit less than if you sell it as jewelry. When you think about it, your jewelry has aesthetic value far beyond the value of the gold it contains.

On the other hand, gold is continuing to go up in value, and I believe we will see some real surges upward in the months and years ahead. If you can, hold onto unwanted pieces of gold jewelry and wait for the moment when it may really be worth something.

I hate to see people forced into selling their heirloom pieces just to pay the bills. And when you think about it, that is a very short-term solution. Once all the jewelry is gone, then what? How much better to come up with a way to support your family and yourself without resorting to parting with beloved jewelry pieces.

It’s true, diamonds have been found in this country. Most people associate South Africa with diamond mining, but the gemstone also occurs in the Sierra Nevada area of California as well as the southeastern USA. Most of these diamonds have been discovered while searching for gold in California. What a bonus that would be!

The diamonds in the southeastern US are much older than those of the Kimberly mines. And the type of land where they were found is similar to the diamond fields of India and South America.

According to one source, it is unlikely that the USA will ever be a big producer of diamonds, but who knows! All sorts of wonders are still being discovered, and we may yet strike it rich in this country. Heavens knows we could use the wealth right now!

My latest hobby horse is to support the jewelers that live in your hometown . Before you decide I’ve gone off my rocker, at least take a look at the idea!

As the economy suffers, it makes sense to support the artists, farmers, dairies and so forth that are within an hour or so of where you live. Your economy can be expanded locally, and everyone will benefit. I’ve done some reading lately, and this is the direction I’m going in.

No, I’m not growing out my hair, moving back to the land and strumming a guitar. Not yet, anyway. But I would like to encourage more sustainable purchasing from local (and local might mean your country, as opposed to buying overseas.) It’s a thought!

If you haven’t been collecting gold jewelry in recent years, this may be one of your last chances to do so. It’s not in my nature to be an alarmist, but I want as many people as possible to own gold, and this is one of the ways to do it. This is my opinion, but I believe you should not, unless it is imperative for your very survival, turn in your gold jewelry for money right now.

There are predictions that gold will be out the roof, price-wise within a few more years, so hold onto it if you can! It may be a bit of a bumpy ride ahead, and gold and silver can be a buffer for possible hard times.

What do you think about wearing gold and silver jewelry at the same time? For a long time that was considered taboo, but in recent years more and more women have not only been wearing them side by side, but individual creations often combine the attributes of these two precious metals.

Although untraditional, I personally see nothing wrong with this trend. Since ancient times gold jewelry was enhanced by enamels and various gemstones. Why not use its “sister metal,” sterling silver, to add drama and depth to the design? Plus there’s that old adage of rules being created to be broken. In the world of jewelry making, there’s certainly a lot of that.

If you’re not comfortable with this, then stick to the “either or” rule, but be open-minded and observe what others may be wearing. I think you’ll be surprised by the number of women wearing them both.

Most people think of jewelry as earrings, pins, bracelets or necklaces. I have found something surprising that can also be considered jewelry.

The interesting thing is that it’s something we’re all familiar with- we often wear it ourselves, never thinking of it as a piece of jewelry. Curious? You should be! It is an underrated and undervalued item, and I’d like to see it more appreciated.

And no, I’m not talking about belly button rings or other even more (a-hem) unusual bodily adornments.

What I’m referring to is the lowly name tag, name badge or whatever else you’re used to calling it.