Diamonds were formed deep in the earth under extreme heat and pressure. As the earth cooled, volcanic activity pushed diamonds to the surface. Some, through volcanic outbursts, made their way to river- and stream-beds. Others formed volcanic pipes known as Kimberlite pipes. Each diamond is anywhere from a few million to 3 billion years old.

Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world. In fact, the word "diamond" comes from the ancient Greek word "adamas" meaning unbreakable. This hardness makes diamonds well-suited to everyday wear. In addition, the high dispersion of light, which gives the stone "fire", makes diamonds highly desired for jewelry. However, only 20% of all diamonds mined are considered to be gem quality. The other 80% are used for industrial purposes.

While white or colorless diamonds are the most familiar; diamonds also come in reds, pinks, blues, greens, yellows and browns as well as black. Yellows and browns are the most common, with brown being marketed as champagne or chocolate diamonds. Black diamonds are often used in mourning jewelry.

Unfortunately, natural diamond jewelry doesn't fit into every budget. Luckily there are synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants. Synthetic diamonds are made in a laboratory and have the same optical and physical properties as natural diamonds. Diamond simulants are stones which simulate the look of natural diamonds. Diamond simulants can either be man-made like cubic zirconia (CZ) and crystal, or natural gemstones like petalite, white sapphire and white zircon. So regardless of your budget, you can add a little sparkle to your life.

Emerald is at the top of the list of green gems. It has been treasured for its lush green hue since antiquity. The first known emerald mines were in Egypt and date from 330 B.C. It is believed that emeralds reveal the truth and protect against evil spirits. It is also the stone of fertility and rebirth.

Green Garnet comes in two different mineral types, grossular and andradite. Tsavorite is a highly sought after gem-quality green grossular garnet that can rival emerald in color. Demantoid is a rare green andradite garnet that has the sparkle of a diamond. Green garnet is a stone of confidence and service.

Peridot ranges in color from yellow/green to deep chartreuse. It has been mined as early as 1500 B.C. and is the national gem of Egypt. In artificial light, it glows a brilliant green and thus has been named "Evening Emerald." It is thought to promote wealth and power, and to ward against nightmares and jealous thoughts.

Prehnite, a beautiful apple-green stone, was first described in 1788 in South Africa. It is named after colonel Hendrik von Prehn (1733-1785), a mineralogist and early governor of the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope. Prehnite is thought to enhance inner knowledge and is called the stone of unconditional love.

Serpentine, a green mineral sometimes mottled like the skin of a snake, is not one mineral but a group of minerals with the same chemical formula but different structures or crystal lattices. Serpentine has been used for jewelry, ornamental carvings and in architecture for centuries. Because it can be similar in appearance to jade, it is sometimes called "New Jade." Serpentine is said to help you find inner peace and balance mood swings.

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day - February 3
​This holiday was created in 1960 by a mom in Rochester, NY who wanted to give her kids something to look forward to instead of gray winter days. I think pearl or crystal jewelry would perfectly accompany a large bowl of vanilla ice cream - yum!

Get a Different Name Day - February 13
​Don't like the name you have? Take advantage of this holiday and change your name. Just don't forget to tell everyone your new name! Even gemstones get name changes to make them more sought-after. Which would you rather have: mandarin orange garnet or spessertite garnet? 

Hoodie Hoo Day - February 20
​At noon, go outside, wave your hands over your head and chant "hoodie hoo." You're sure to scare away the winter blues. Get your neighbors to do it too so they won't think you've lost your mind. Wearing wildly colorful jewelry will add to the fun.

Open that Bottle Night - February 24
​This night was created in 2000 to encourage people to re-connect with each other over a good bottle of champagne or wine. Not a fan of wine or champagne? Substitute the bottled beverage of your choice and enjoy being with friends or family you haven't seen for a while. Wear sparkly jewelry to honor this special night.

National Tooth Fairy Day - February 28
​Remember how exciting it was to lose a tooth and know the tooth fairy would come and leave something under your pillow? In celebration, I hope someone leaves a treat, maybe jewelry, under your pillow.

Have fun this February! Chase the winter doldrums away by observing these slightly wacky holidays.

Pantone's Color of the Year is Ultra Violet - a blue based purple. Pantone describes Ultra Violet as an enigmatic purple shade that evokes the inventive spirit and imaginative thinking that challenges the status quo.

​According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, from exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is to come.

​Amethyst (left) is the ideal Ultra Violet gemstone in both color and meaning. It symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. It is believed that amethyst has the power to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken intelligence. Amethyst is also thought to prevent drunkenness.

Kunzite is light violet in color. It is believed to increase intuitive powers and to protect against harmful spirits.

Lepidolite (right) is a form of mica and comes in soft shades of lilac. It is thought to foster peaceful and calming energies.

​Sugilite ranges from pale lavender to deep violet. It is said to encourage peace of mind and reduce stress.

​In addition to gemstones, crystal, glass and cubic zirconia beads will abound in this complex deep purple.

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I like the cool, crisp days. I enjoy building fires in my wood stove and watching the flickering flames in a darkened room. I love the rich fall colors of rust, ocher, orange, red and brown.

​The change of season influences the materials I use to create my jewelry - darker colored stones and metals that have been oxidized to give them a deeper tone. This year, I'm fashioning a new collections of pieces made of hand-forged copper, brass, bronze and sterling in the shape of leaves.

​Hand-forging the metals forms patterns and textures which reflect light. then by oxidizing (darkening) the metals and gently buffing them with very fine steel wool, I can produce leaves with an amazing variation in color. Placing sterling leaves among the copper, brass and bronze ones is like adding a touch of frost to a pile of fallen leaves.

I start a collection by first deciding on a shape in this case a leaf. Next, I cut wire into different lengths and bend it into a stylized leaf shape. Once all the leaves are formed, I forge the wire to add pattern and texture and to harden it so it retains its shape. Then each leaf is polished either by hand or by tumbling in a rotary tumbler. Finally, the leaves are ready to turn into jewelry.

​I lay the leaves out on my work bench and shift them around until a design emerges. Often I have a vision of a piece, but just as frequently the components dictate the final design. Once the design is determined, I link the components together to create the piece - necklace, bracelet or earrings. The final steps are to oxidize the metal, burnish it with steel wool to bring out highlights and seal it with Renaissance wax to provide a barrier between metal and skin.

Add a touch of autumn to your wardrobe with a piece from my Leaves collection.

Bracelets and rings are special - they're the only pieces of jewelry easily visible to the wearer. Because of this, we tend to select rings and bracelets we enjoy seeing or which hold memories.

Each time I look at my right hand I see the ring my father wore. After he died, my mom had it sized to fit me. It's a continual reminder of him and the wonderful times we had together. engagement, wedding and mother's rings remind us of loved ones and of special events in our lives.

On my left had, I wear a variety of rings depending on my mood and the outfit I'm wearing. These rings just make me happy as I look at the colorful gemstones and which them sparkle in the light.

Signet rings, often handed down from one generation to the next, display a coat of arms or emblem. Originally impressed in wax to form a seal on documents, now signet rings more commonly denote membership in a family, school or team.

​A charm bracelet is full of memories. I have a sterling one that has two charms on every link. I collected charms on vacations, to commemorate milestones such as birthdays and graduation, and to indicate hobbies and interests. My charm bracelet is a mini-history of my life.

​One of my favorite types of bracelet is the cuff bracelet. I like the way a cuff lays close to my wrist and doesn't get in the way as I go about my day. And cuff bracelets aren't just for women; there are many styles for men. Greek and Roman warriors wore bands of metal as protection and to impress their enemies.

​Use a ring or bracelet to add color, sparkle, a feeling or happiness or special memories to whatever you wear.

Bracelets - A thin, silver, copper or brass bangle ads shimmer without a lot of weight. If you prefer a cuff bracelet, look for narrow ones which can be stacked if you want a more striking look.

Earrings - Go for a pop of bright color - maybe even a color you've never tried before. Longer earrings, particularly if your hair is short or pulled up draw attention to your face. Try a simple drop earring with a vivid crystal or glass bead. For an updated classic look, go for geometric shapes in brightly colored wire. For a more traditional look, select slender earrings in hammered copper, brass, bronze or sterling silver.

Necklaces - Add sparkle with a single crystal cube on an almost invisible necklace - the perfect accent for casual or dr4essy clothes. Be dramatic with a chunky circle of multi-colored quartz, a cluster of bead flowers, or a collar of hammered metal shapes. For a delicate look, try fine chains interspersed with gemstones or crystals.

Rings - Look for bright colors and fun shapes such as my Just for Fun Swirly Wire Rings which come in a variety of summery colors. For a cool look, consider a simple hammered sterling silver ring.

Pendants - A single wire-wrapped gemstone on a chain or leather cord can make a statement without a lot of weight. Serpentine, rose quartz or rock crystal quartz will add a touch of coolness to any outfit.