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!

Apparently this diamond made a visit to the Smithsonian in 2003. I was there somewhere in that time period, but I’m sure if I’d seen it, I would not have forgotten it.

I wonder what that humble farmer thought of the red, rough diamond when he spotted it on his property? And more to the point, was he paid well for it? I may look into that sometime!

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..

Amber is my favorite. This is the fossilized resin or sap of ancient pine trees. To discover an insect in a piece of resin is like riding a time machine into our ancient past Magnificent! If I had such an amber jewelry piece, I would spend way too much time pondering its inhabitant.

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!

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.

The adventure began over a decade ago. Before that, the only accessories I wore were gold. Not only was this possibly wrong for my skin tone, but buying gold was a very expensive way to make a fashion statement! Finally forgoing the sometimes painful activity of looking for something in 14K gold that I could actually afford was very freeing!

Since that time, accessorizing in silver has become a real pleasure. No matter my current economic status I can always pick up a beautiful pair of silver cufflinks, a smart-looking tie tack or an attractive chain. Cost isn’t much of a factor, at least not yet. There are predictions that silver prices will someday go sky high, but I don’t think anyone really knows for sure. My advice? Buy as much of it as you can now just in case!

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.

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!

The term “simulated gemstone” indicates a laboratory stone that is created to look like a natural stone, but does not have any of the optical, physical or chemical characteristics that an actual stone consists of.

But a “synthetic” or “lab created” stone has the very same properties of a natural stone, including the optical, physical and chemical ones. Why is this also a legal difference? It’s because the Federal Trade Commission makes the distinction, and it’s illegal to call a simulated gemstone a synthetic stone. A synthetic stone must be identical in every way to the “real thing.”

Simulated gemstones sell for a much lower price than the synthetic ones. I just thought you might like to know!