Tucson Talk

February 3rd, 2012

Tucson, Arizona is just buzzing with enthusiasm and excitement every year at this time. The first week in February, it becomes the site of the largest gem and mineral show in the world. Vendors and buyers alike are here on a quest for new material, uniquely cut stones and large parcels of Mother Nature’s latest creations. The customer is always on our minds. (Of course, if one happens to come home with a selfishly bought new bauble, well, that’s just a well-earned reward for all the hard work that can extend into the wee hours)

My recent post on Facebook generated 35 good guesses as to what this pretty new purple-veined material might be. So far, though, no one has accurately identified it. So, the game is still ON! Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

A huge bonus of our annual trek to Tucson is, of course …

…  the food! We can’t seem to veer from our favorite foods at our favorite restaurants. There’s just nothing like that table- side guacamole at La Fuentes or the entertaining Cowboy atmosphere of Lil’ Abners.

And the views? Well, there’s no question. It’s just a little slice of heaven.

Styling Your Full Potential ~

Judy

Calling All February Babies… And Then Some

January 9th, 2012

If you February Girls haven’t embraced your birthstone up ’til now, I have a funny feeling the worm is about to turn. WOW!! So, here’s the scoop….

African Amethyst is known for its deep, intense grape color tending to fluoresce red tones (Brazilian amethyst tends to fluoresce blue). The problem is, when you get into the larger carat weights, it can appear too dark, almost black (not attractive). The material we sourced for this ring (nearly 6 carats of genuine African Amethyst) is incredible. Day after tomorrow (Wed. 01/10/12) (obviously, this particular BLOG is time-sensitive), you can STEAL it (for UNDER $120!) on Jewelry Television…. but, it won’t even be on their website until then.

I am so excited about this that I hated to wait any longer to tell you. (I’ll probably get myself in trouble revealing it too soon) Anyway, we’ll introduce it at midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday night into Wednesday), and there are only 675 of them (FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY)!

Good luck! (Oh, and did I mention that the yellow gemstones are genuine yellow sapphires????)

Styling Your Full Potential ~

Judy

ON-AIR (eastern time):

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11TH ~ midn-2am9am10amnoon-2pm8-10pm

Scrub-A-Dub Dub

December 28th, 2011

When was the last time you cleaned your jewelry? We take the time to clean our clothes, our houses, our dogs (don’t ask me why I thought of that one… probably because my Springer “Brie” just got a bath), but cleaning our jewelry? Who has time? The truth is that all jewelry requires TLC for long-term wear and lasting beauty.

My advice for Storage: Take advantage of the individual compartments in a jewelry box, divided drawers or a travel pouch. Gemstones can scratch one another if they all get jumbled together. And, if you’re not careful to keep pieces separated from one another, they can even scratch the gold or silver settings.

My advice for Cleaning: Don’t overdo it, and don’t use steam cleaning or ultra-sonic cleaners. All you really need is a soft, lint-free cloth. That should do a fine job of keeping it free from surface dust and dirt on a daily basis. Should you find that it has dulled from accumulated soap or hand lotions, just swish it in a bath of  mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Rinse, and make sure you always dry it well … away from the drain.

Keep in mind that in some cases, like with my Stratify and Blooming Jewels Collections on JTV, some gemstones are set with an adhesive instead of with prongs. (This is common practice with opaques or cabochons like turquoise or lapis) Therefore, it’s smart not to leave your jewelry in water or a liquid jewelry cleaner for an extended period of time.

Styling Your Full Potential~

Judy,

Style and Trend Jewelry Expert

I’ll Have A Blue (After) Christmas Without These!

December 26th, 2011

4.18 carats of Barehipani London Blue Topaz. Couldn’t you just SWIM in their color? The incredible London blue stones in these stud earrings are princess-cut and angled like diamonds in their 18 kt gold over Sterling Silver setting.

From my Stratify Collection on JTV.com, they are named after the beautiful Barehipani Falls in India where the water pools into colors of blue like no other.

But, the best part is they’re marked down from a normal $49.99 price to this week’s Holiday Clearance Sale price of $29.99!

And, should you desire something borrowed or something blue to wear on the hand? Try this Barehipani London Blue ring on for size. 1.28 carats are represented in this delicate, sweet ring featuring a center marquise-cut London Blue Topaz with channel set princess-cut White Topaz gems on either side. A whopping $49.99 is our new “Countdown to 2012″ price. (Sizes are available in 6-10)

Join me on Thursday and Friday this week for my Stratify shows only on Jewelry Television. Look for the JTV logo in the lower left side of your screen, and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Styling Your Full Potential ~

Judy

ON-AIR:

Thursday, December 29th 3-6pm and 10p-midnight EST

Friday, December 30th 10a-noon EST


Flavor of the Mo…. No, the SEASON!

December 10th, 2011

Absolute ’spectacles of glamor’ await you on Jewelry Television today. In person, these rings are amazing (and the sapphire version was almost sold out by 8 this morning!)

If you have a minute to tune in before the day is through OR you can head over to JTV.com, you’ll be happy you had a crack at getting one of these rings before Christmas!! Drop hints, place a conspicuous post-it-note, buy it and wrap it for yourself…. whatever it takes, you need to see this one on your hand.

Details! Details!                                                                                                                        Price ~ Under $88!   Carat weight ~ 3.21 ctw    18k yellow gold over SS.   All genuine stones from Brazil and India.  Sizes ~ 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Fond Memory(ies) Lane

November 29th, 2011

Talk about a blast from the past. While clearing out old, saved articles and TV Guide Ads like these, I had fun reminiscing about the good ‘ole days at QVC. I even came across a calendar from 1992! Here are Kathy, Ellen and Paul on the cover. But, even more telling…. the hosts inside! (They’ll probably kill me when they’ve found out I’ve blogged about them) How many do YOU remember?

How much fun to look back with such fond memories at those whom I considered not just my friends, but truly my family. Here’s lookin’ at you…(when we were all just a), kid!

Glitter and Glow

November 20th, 2011

If you’re taking the trends to heart this holiday season then you know to wear SHINE, but how to accessorize? Do the unexpected… instead of black beads or crystals this year, WEAR COLOR!Needs these

Needs these

Needs these

Needs these

Click on any of the earrings to get pricing and measurements if you’re interested in how to purchase them. Otherwise, perhaps these will just inspire you to jazz things up for all Holiday Celebrations in 2011.

Styling Your Full Potential  ~ Judy

OPALicious!

October 29th, 2011

Not just ANY opal… Ethiopian Opal. From a mine dating back over 4000 years, the Ethiopian opal is FINALLY coming into its own. Thought to be unsuitable for jewelry up until a mere 2 1/2 years ago, the Ethiopian opal is proving, instead, to be the stone of choice for more than just October babies.

Its ‘play of color’ and stabilization have made it the go-to stone for designers, and the recent increase in price is a testament to its new-found popularity. Here are 3 good (affordable) examples from my new “Stratify” line on JTV. Opal with Pink Tourmaline, Opal with Chrome Diopside and Opal with Tanzanite. Click on any of the images for greater detail. Happy Shopping!

Styling Your Full Potential

~ Judy

Hear Yee, Hear Yee

October 23rd, 2011

If you love inspirational speakers, you’ll love Author and Life Coach, Michelle Phillips. She has asked me to be on her radio show tomorrow (Monday, the 24th) at NOON et. She said, “Judy, as my Trend Forecaster and Gem & Jewelry Expert, I want your input on how we should look this season.” She’s calling it “Switch It Up For Fall.”

We’ll talk about easy ways to update your wardrobe with the hot COLORS of fall and winter; the smart BASICS you should keep or acquire;  the TRENDS that you were smart to buy last fall because they have nicely carried over into this fall; and, what to KEEP, STORE and TOSS! You can listen in on your computer by going to this site tomorrow at noon: www.hayhouseradio.com, then just click on Michelle’s name.

Meanwhile, be sure to pick up her new book, The Beauty Blueprint, already on Amazon.com’s Best Seller list. An even more beautiful you is sure to emerge!

Styling Your Full Potential ~                                                                                            Judy

 

Scarlet Fever

October 9th, 2011

With all of the beautiful shades of red we’re seeing this fall, now is the perfect time to indulge in some companion pieces… while they’re still available.

This Wednesday, Oct. 12th, between midnight and 2am et, I’ll be featuring this 20″ long red coral and agate necklace on Jewelry Television. Of all the colors of coral, red, pink, black, white, golden and blue, this oxblood red variety is considered the most valuable.

Much of the red coral today comes from the Sea of Japan. However, with more and more Coral Reserves being protected, this beautiful organic stone is becoming more and more scarce. Here’s a pretty bracelet to match the necklace and both are from my Stratify Collection on JTV.

See you this Wednesday from midnight-2 am and again during the day from 11am-1pm and 6pm-8pm. To see if you get Jewelry Television in your area, check out the Channel Finder at the bottom of their Home Page.

Styling Your Full Potential

~Judy