April -Look out for Diamonds

Phew. Back from 2 jewelry markets that were back to back. Really enjoyed meeting customers and getting feedback.

I have to give a shout out to another indie handcrafted business: Soapsations. These ladies make the most incredible bath products-they smell great, many bars are hand painted and anything that gets my son to wash his hands NONSTOP is a winner in my book (he has the soap bar with a plastic frog which he is determined to get out! :) )Check them out. You will be so glad that you did! Great Mother's Day gifts too! :)

Designing-Diva Jewelry(DDJ) will be showcasing some new necklace designs with diamond beads for the women with a black belt in shopping by the end of the week! And for you those of you who have an April birthday-diamonds are your birthstone (hint! hint!).

Want to the first to purchase one of these diamond bead necklaces? Sign up for the DDJ newsletter (on the right) and you will be one of the first to view these show stopper designs.

Treat yourself or give a loved one a luxurious gift of diamond beads!

Gemstone -Precious and Semi-precious

Diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald are considered precious gemstones because of their beauty, rarity, durability and hardness. As a result, precious gemstones have a higher commercial value.

Any other gemstone is considered semi-precious: agate, opal, jade, peridot, moonstone, turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite, and azurite are just a few. Because these gems are not as hard or as durable, you must care for them properly so that they will last.

At Designing-Diva Jewelry, I tend to use a lot of jasper because it comes in such a variety of colors. I also like white jade because it is often dyed and comes in some delicious candy colors. I love rainbow moonstone because of it iridescence. Using these semi-precious gemstones, allows me to have a lot of variety in my jewelry designs that is just not possible with the precious gemstones.

Jewelry and the Media

I have my fingers crossed for 2007. I have several of my designs and media kits sent out to various agencies for Spring / Summer 2007 marketing. Gift guides and must have lists are featured in many media forms.

Many of the jewelry designs I'm working on for my January launch are included in this media blitz.Maybe you'll buy and wear it before a celebrity does? How cool is that!

Remember to drop me a line if there something you would like to see designed. I'm often inspired by my customer's wishes. :)

I'm dreaming of a classic gold byzantine bracelet with a diamond bead or three as a focal point. Luxurious or what? Guess, I better go make some gold jump rings to make it a reality.

Off to the jewelry studio I go!