Each of us possesses a unique and priceless gem–our mind and spirit. To keep it brilliant and reflective, a good daily polish does wonders. Meditation and mindfulness are the new buzz words for keeping our minds peaceful and sharp.

Meditation practice sounds ominous. Sit still and think of nothing for 10 minutes? I’m not sure I have time for that! I admit I’m no pro, so I was excited to recently find a new app called Headspace. Headspace is a fun and easy way to get started in a practice of meditation. I logged onto the Web site, www.headspace.com, and watched the introduction. I thought, “I can do this!” I tried the free 10-day trial, and now I’m hooked. I love it so much; I want to share it with you. Enjoy! And happy holidays to you!

Thanksgiving Dinner has settled. Another family holiday enjoyed. Our thoughts naturally turn to the upcoming holidays. We look forward to sharing special time with our families and showering our loved ones with gifts.
What greater gift could be bestowed than a bracelet Great Aunt Esther wore when she was married. Or that Rolex watch you remember your Dad wearing as you sat in his lap reading stories together. If you think about your own jewelry collection, it’s likely each piece has a story behind it of an important milestone or a special occasion shared with a loved one. Those memories are a part of each jewel in your box.
When choosing to pass on one of those jewels to a daughter or son, grandchild or great-grandchild, the story behind the initial gift makes this gift so much greater. Here are some tips to making the giving of a family jewel one that will be cherished for generations to come.
Include a special note recalling the event and the emotions you experienced when you received the jewel. Be sure to include dates, as this story may end up in the hands of a young lady (or young man) two or three generations into the future. A photo of you at the time of the event makes it even more special.
Take it to a trusted goldsmith who can ensure your jewel is in good condition and that the gemstones are secure. Your goldsmith can give it a professional cleaning too, making it sparkle its best under the holiday lights.
To ensure your recipient is prepared to protect their new gift, be sure to have your jewel appraised for insurance replacement purposes. Seek out a jewelry appraiser who is accredited with a professional organization such as the International Society of Appraisers or the American Society of Appraisers. This will give you the confidence the appraisal has all of the details that are critical to proper insurance coverage.
With these steps taken, your gift can be worn and enjoyed from the moment it is received.

On Friday, October 23, GIA Laboratory released a statement notifying the trade and public of a system breach that allowed a hacker to change over 1000 GIA Diamond Grading Reports to reflect different color and clarity grades that would be a benefit to the owners of those diamonds and reports. GIA has invalidated these reports and released a list of the diamonds involved. If you recently purchased a diamond in the size range of 0.40 carat to 5.50 carats that is accompanied by a GIA Diamond Grading Report, there is a chance (remote, albeit) that you could be affected.

For millions of African people, diamonds are their only source of income.  Time Magazine recently published an update concerning Blood Diamonds. Blood Diamonds are nothing to close your eyes to.  No one with a heart wants to wear blood on their wedding finger. At the same time, boycotting is not the answer. Cutting off their only source of income creates an even more unstable and hostile environment at the source. So, how can you help?

Today, you can buy and wear a diamond you can be proud of. By looking for a jeweler who actively supports the Diamond Development Initiative, you will know where your diamond was mined and how the miner and his family are supported. The Diamond Development Initiative was formed to address the complicated issues facing artisanal diamond miners who are in need of a stable and prosperous community and government. And, as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, anyone can make a tax deductible cash donation to the DDI. I encourage all of my colleagues in the jewelry industry to join me in supporting DDI in its mission to empower our partners at the source.

Would you believe me if I told you these images are gemstones? There is a wonderful world of gemstones found only under the microscope. GIA Gems & Gemology shows a behind-the-scenes look at how these incredible images are taken.