In October of 1963, an optimistic John F. Kennedy purchased a beautiful 47-carat pink kunzite ring as a Christmas present for his wife. Knowing Jackie loved pink, the kunzite was surrounded by 20 diamonds symbolizing the first 10 Christmases they had celebrated together, and the next 10 he was looking forward to sharing with her. Tragically, JFK was assassinated before he had a chance to present her with the gift.

Trends To Watch: Stylish Station Necklaces

The Fashion Express has arrived! And station necklaces are just the ticket for those who want something fresh, fashionable, and lightweight to wear this season.

This classic chain necklace style has stations at regular intervals around the neck. Many different kinds of stations are available – brilliant diamonds, lustrous pearls, either large, small, white, or dark, vivid rainbow-hued colored gemstones, gold or silver beads, even fancy jeweled or enamel flowers or charms.

A wide variety of different styles of chain are also used, many in long lengths of 36 inches or even longer with links in just about every shape imaginable from tiny hoops to oversize loops. And all station necklaces are perfect for layering. You can combine different lengths, different styles, or different types of stations to create a personalized look all your own.

October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline

Opal, in the Middle Ages, was considered a stone that could provide great luck because it was believed to possess all the virtues of each gemstone whose color was represented in the color spectrum of the opal.

Tourmaline. While transparently clear, tourmaline comes in a rainbow of colors. Old Egyptian legend states tourmaline passed through a rainbow on its way up from the center of the earth assuming all of the colors of the rainbow.

Opal is a non-crystalline gemstone displaying vivid flashes of iridescent color and has a varied history. In the 1800′s a work of fiction by Sir Walter Scott attributing “magical powers” to opals brought delight to many, but created unjustifiable superstitions in others. Opal has since regained its rightful reputation as a gem of magnificence.

Warm Weather Favorites: Colorful Cocktail Rings and Long Dangle Earrings

This season, stand-out rings and statement earrings are the style leaders you’ll be seeing everywhere.

Eye-Catching Rings feature the classic cabochon gemstone cut which is the all-time favorite for highlighting big, bold colored gems in stylishly large cocktail rings. This smooth, round cut makes a big fashion impact and allows all kinds of opaque and translucent gems to glow from within with a bright, natural beauty. Choose from a bouquet of rainbow colored gems – green, blue, pink, orange, yellow, red and purple in exciting new gold and silver ring designs.

Dramatic Drop Earrings come in sleek, elongated, tear-drop shapes that dangle and move with a swinging appeal. Dazzling shoulder-grazing chandeliers are both fashionable and fun to wear. They’re available in dozens of openwork designs that are lightweight and extra comfortable for summertime. Styles range from art deco to ultra modern in both karat gold and sterling silver and are often set with colored gems, pearls or diamonds.

September Birthstone: Sapphire

Wisdom and clear thinking are the personal traits of those born in September. A gift of brilliant blue Sapphire symbolizes loyalty, sincerity and faithfulness. The sapphire belongs to the corundum group, classified by their hardness which is second to diamond, the hardest mineral on Earth! Sapphire is also the suggested gemstone for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.

When Princess Diana chose her 18-carat oval sapphire and diamond engagement ring, it caused a stir because the ring wasn’t unique. It wasn’t created specifically for her and the center stone was a sapphire not a diamond. Even after her tragic death in 1997, Princess Diana is still influencing the jewelry fashion world. Her choice of an engagement ring started the trend of choosing alternative gemstones for engagement rings.

August Birthstones

Peridot. One of the few gemstones that comes in only one color, a rich, vivid green with a slight tinge of gold caused by very fine traces of iron. Peridot dates back to the early 2nd millennium B.C. and legend implies that it was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.

Sardonyx. The word Sardonyx is derived from the Greek, Sard, meaning “reddish brown” and onyx, meaning “veined gem.” This stone was worn as a talisman by the Egyptians to protect against infections and evil.

Lightweight Lace Jewelry: Cool and Comfortable for Summer

In this season’s newest fashions, delicate and exquisite lace is popping up everywhere! And these airy webs of elegant and feminine openwork designs are as prominent in jewelry as in high-fashion clothing.

This season, leading designers are placing great emphasis on light weight and creative use of smaller amounts of precious metal, keeping costs down and increasing comfort, without sacrificing beauty.

Elegant new designs for rings, bracelets, pins, earrings, pendants, and necklaces feature exciting combinations of yellow, white and pink gold in floral and vine cutout patterns as well as filigree and woven styles. They’re also available in a wide variety of attractive finishes, ranging from highly polished to frosted, hammered and matte textures.

In the March issue of Harpers Bazaar, reality star Kim Kardashian interviewed Elizabeth Taylor for what would turn out to be one of the glamorous film star’s final interviews. When Taylor was asked if size mattered and which of her diamond rings was her favorite – the 29.4 carat from Mike Todd, the famous Krupp diamond at 33.19 carats, or the Taylor-Burton weighing in at 69.42 carats – she replied: “The Krupp is an extraordinary stone. It has such life and brilliance when light shines through it. Size does matter, but so does the size of the emotion behind it.“

July Birthstone: Ruby

The vivid, fire-red ruby has been prized for centuries as the “King of Gems” and has traditionally been associated with passion, power and strength for the July-born. Rubies are beautiful, long-lasting and rare.

Dare To Be Diverse

Attach a jeweled elephant enhancer on your pearl necklace. Pin a pair of silver porpoises on a pretty silk blouse. There’s nothing like nature to add a fresh and lively look to everything you wear. This season, Mother Nature has created dozens of decorative animals, plants, bees, bugs, frolicking frogs and sea creatures, making naturally attractive accessories to complete your look. With an endless choice of colorful natural forms available such as bracelets, necklaces, pins, and rings made of sterling silver, yellow gold and platinum, you can create a distinctive look all your own. A little diversity adds excitement to any outfit. So do it! Dare to be diverse with accessories that have a wild and natural flair.