The days are getting longer and warmer and the first signs of green grass and perennial flowers are revealing themselves.  The big holiday this month is St. Patrick’s Day…where everyone is a little bit Irish that day!  

 

And…some of the great people in my life are truly Irish, and I can tell you first-hand what fun people they are.  Not only do they have a festive St. Patty’s Day, but most time they’re up for celebrating something, anything - or nothing!  Cheers!!

 

Let’s also celebrate the glorious green gemstones in keeping with the St. Patrick’s theme!  Whether a precious or semi-precious gem, here are some of the common green hued gems you may be familiar with…emeralds, peridots, tourmalines, malachite, jade, quartz, garnets, sapphires.  

 

Yes, many gemstones come in various colors of the rainbow. Which is your favorite?  Mine would be tourmalines…typically mined in Brazil…ranging from pale to very vivid color saturation.

 

 

And if you know me or have been reading my newsletters and posts, you know I try and live a very healthy and fit lifestyle so that includes adding many green veggies into my daily diet…cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, beans, zucchini, all the varieties of herbs…like cilantro, parsley, rosemary, thyme…, broccoli, celery, peas, and asparagus.  

 

Those are just some of my favorites! And what does eating that type of whole food do for your overall health & fitness?  Try eating the recommended 9-13 servings of fruits & veggies each day and find out!  Lower weight, more energy, fit body, focused brain, better vision, glowing skin…am I getting your attention?  I’d love to share my secrets to keeping fit & healthy, so reach out to me if you’d like to chat about it!  I’d love to learn some of your secrets too!

 

 

This is also the time of year when engagements are happening, weddings are being planned, and gifts for Easter, Mother’s & Father’s Days, and graduations are coming into focus.  And fine diamonds and jewelry will always be the ultimate perfect choice for it’s a timeless and memorable gift which symbolizes love, commitment, gratitude, appreciation, and adoration.  

 

 

Let’s connect if you’re thinking of getting engaged or wanting to celebrate a person and occasion with fine diamonds and jewelry.  My clients love working with me as I take a sincere personal interest in helping them bring their vision to life with my personalized concierge service as a “private gemologist”.  My attention to detail, quality and fair value are why they seek me out to help create their beautiful and lasting memories.

 

Here’s the truth behind these legendary Golconda diamonds.

 

"When the great French explorer and merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier made his first voyage to India in 1638, he was mesmerized the region’s magnificent natural diamonds. He described them in his journal as “gems of the finest water,” likening their pure transparency to a pool of water.

 

Over Tavernier’s six trips to India, he brought back what would become the world’s most famous diamonds—the Hope Diamond, the Black Orlov, Idol’s Eye, the Koh-i-Noor, and Beau Sancy among them. 

 

His treasures ignited an insatiable desire for diamonds with European and Russian royalty and nobles, who coveted them as symbols of power and glory. Some were deemed talismans of protection and good fortune; others were omens of bad luck. Some reside in museums and in the British Crown jewels; others mysteriously disappeared.

 

“Golconda diamonds have a way of capturing the imagination—representing not only physical beauty but also an enduring connection to history,” said Lee Siegelson, owner of Siegelson in New York, which specializes in rare jewelry and stones.

 

“Golconda diamonds possess an ethereal luminosity that has long been described as ‘of the finest water’—a term reserved for stones with a purity and brilliance that seem almost otherworldly.”

 

Even the most seasoned jewelers are awestruck by a Golconda diamond’s scintillating beauty.

 

“They have a purity and softness that is hard to describe,” says Glenn Spiro, the exclusive London jeweler who has handled some of the world’s most exceptional stones. “They are in a class of their own.”

 

Click on the link below to discover more intriguing stories behind the fascinating diamonds of the Golconda region in India…

 

We’re just past the lovely and romantic Valentine’s Day holiday and it was met with lots of requests for engagement rings, diamond stud earrings, diamond necklaces and bracelets, all which were the designs most desired.  

 

I’ve been planning my upcoming trade shows for finding new jewelry designers with something unique to offer.  I’ve also been solidifying my existing relationships and cultivating new partnerships to bring fresh, fun ways to showcase the latest trends.

 

Vintage jewelry is so in demand right now and one of my upcoming trunk shows will be solely focused on designs from the past…or “jewelry with history”! Whether 10 years, 25, or 100 or more years old, each time period features a very distinct look and craftsmanship easily identifiable…such as Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Victorian, etc.  It will be so much fun to partner again with Faye's Boutique in Mequon where we'll be co-hosting this “Vintage” event!  Stay tuned for details in a future newsletter!

 

I love that fine jewelry stands the test of time with proper care…to be passed on down to multiple generations…all with an intriguing story…and maybe some secrets!  

 

That’s the fun part!  Imagining who owned that piece and how and when it was worn.  I’ll be attending the Antique & Vintage Jewelry Show in Las Vegas in early June and will find those rare one-of-a-kind jewelry creations for you!

 

Seriously, this is one of the highlights of being an auntie and glam-ma…attending those kids events.  It’s so much different than attending one as a parent…for you’re there just for the fun of it…without all the commitment of managing your schedule around your kid’s practices, games, uniforms and equipment, etc.  You just show up and become a cheering fan!  How cool is that?  Celebrating their win or consoling their defeat…aunties and glam-mas are the best support network!

 

I love the dynamics of watching “my kid” interact with their teammates and opponents and show their heart and passion for the sport.  Not only are they developing their physical and athletic skills, but they are fine tuning their mental preparedness which becomes more masterful as they mature. 

 

Sporting events help them learn commitment, encouragement, compassion, empathy, sportsmanship, control, respect, gratitude, and so much more! They learn how to behave properly whatever the outcome of the event is, for if they choose to participate in a competitive sport where there is clearly a winner and loser, they need to be as gracious in defeat as they are in winning.

 

Now the stages they go through can be quite entertaining and downright hilarious.  So, at 5 years of age for instance, they are easily distracted and spend most of their time gazing around and paying attention to anything other than what’s happening on the court or field.  It’s like the coach is “herding cats”!  So fun to watch!!

 

Then, as they mature and become more focused, determined, coordinated and competitive, it evolves into the spectator becoming more serious about the game too and supporting and encouraging their respective athlete and team. 

 

We have to remember “it’s just a game” though and not take it too seriously either.  How many times have you seen parents as the ones who are misbehaving and getting over-zealous because they disagree with the referees?  Yikes!  Time out!

 

So, let’s celebrate those young burgeoning athletes.  Let’s celebrate those parents, family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and coaches who unselfishly give of their time and effort to foster and support the development of these kids. 

 

They show up no matter the day, time or weather to mentor and cheer on their favorite athlete and team! I am proudly one of those people who has attended countless events for my nephews and grandkids.  I know I have as much fun as they do! Can I tell you how many times I have frozen my butt off watching fall football or early spring soccer outdoors in Wisconsin?  Now that’s commitment! It must be love!

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