My Own Precious Jewels

These are my mascots, my babies, my incredible kitty cats, Moxie, the blue-eyed blonde and Gizmo, the white-breasted calico with the jade green eyes. They guard the back door when I'm in my studio and are waiting for me on the dining room table. Gizmo curls up on the desk in the den when I'm on-line or writing; and Moxie lives on our bed. They've been with me 14 years and act as if they're still kittens. Moxie talks; Gizmo is brilliant. What can I say. . . they make my life wonderful with their presence and their purrs.

Purple Haze

I'm in love with these agate slices. They are primitive and the same time that they're different and elegant. I put a sterling silver floral bail on this one and paired it with lovely amethyst beads for a "Prince-ly" piece.

Chysacolla Ovals with Malay Jade Rounds

One more chocker-style necklace, this time with magnificent and large chrysacolla ovals accented with deep green Malay jade round beads. The colors remind me of a pine forest -- how appropriate for deep December and Christmacy-toned jewelry. This is not a flashy necklace, no sparkle, but plenty of drama and style. I'd like to see it with a gray or black suit, hanging out in the board room.

The Winter Necklace

There is something almost wintery about the these variegated agate ovals, dusted with tones of deep gray, some brown and winter aqua, like the light in the Arctic. With light gray pearl roundels, this choker (around 18-19") feels wonderful as the stones warm up to body temperature. It is designed to rest right on the clavicle, not too tight, not too loose.

Sea Rose with Prehnite and Amethyst

The pendant -- a wonderfully colorful combination of prehnite and amethyst with a ffanciful carved amazonite rose -- dictated who she wanted to live with. Amethyst would have been too dark; amazonite that color is hard to find in a bead. So prehnite it was. I love the prehnite stone because some of them have tiny rutiles in them, as these do. The faceting gives them even more texture. Instead of anchoring the pendant from two larger silver beads, I suspended it from a row of smaller sterling rounds, so there is easy movement.

Tropical Paradise

The fuchsia faceted jade is deliciously tropical especially in combination with Chinese turquoise mini-coins and the large faceted aquamarine crystals. The clasp on this lovely two-strander is fuchsia sequins set in Sterling silver, designed to look like sari-cloth. I can see this worn with a pretty spring print dress, a fuchsia bathing suit. . . and a great tan. This is definitely a winter vacation piece. Cancun, anyone?

Le Rouge et Le Noir

My favorite color combination has always been red and black and nothing is blacker than black onyx which facets beautifully. When the light hits a piece like this, it flashes back, gleams and almost has a life of its own. I combined these large, faceted onyx roundels with a Siam red Swarovski crystal -- to wear with Christmas black velvet or a nice cream silk blouse. This is one classic necklace that will take you anywhere.

Chrysacolla with Amazonite and Vermeil

Chrysacolla is such a beautiful bead. It has all the qualities of turquoise, ie. the beautiful deep aqua-blue color, but it has been splashed with a deep green, making it a very interesting stone.